Hi all. I'll be coming up Little Isabella river headed to Bald Eagle. I may go further into Turtle, Pietro and/or Gull. Any suggestions or impressions to how it is now since the Pigami Creek fire of 2013{?}. Is it a total burn down area or is it still nice to be in? And is the fishing good in any of the lakes?

Hey Campmaster and welcome. Bald Eagle is a great lake. I stayed on the Northwestern campsite in the bay and would recommend that again as it keeps you out of the wind for the most part. Turtle was burned down pretty good and though I didn't go to Pietro or Gull it looks like they were hit hard as well according to maps.

However I will let you in on a secret :) since I will rarely go that direction ever again. Turtle Lake has some big pike in it. I would almost guarantee a decent sized pike out of there. The portage sucks though lol but it is worth it for a day trip.

Do the loop. It is lotsa fun. Good fishing on Gull, Pietro is known for its smallies, can verify big pike in Turtle. Clearwater is a real cool lake. Caught some of my nicest walleyes on Gull. So if you stay on Bald Eagle, you have two nice day trips, Gull and Turtle. But I like the loop. More satisfying at the end of the trip. One year we went in at Isabella and came out the snake River, which I love. Then it is a two mile walk or jog back to the Isabella EP. can’t comment on the burn sitch. Was a while back since I’ve been there, but Pietro was completely charred when we did. Have fun.

Thanks for the help scat and x2jmorris! We'll be looking to snag some of those pike! We will for sure day trip to the other lakes, and maybe loop it.

Turtle has nice pike, some trophy size. Pietro has decent walleye as well Gull. You could easily do a loop day trip through all those lakes. Turtle was affected by the “Turtle Lake fire.” Most trees in the Pagami Creek Fire are over 12 ft in most areas. Definitely worth a trip. I’ve also caught Walleyes in the Isabella River so don’t neglect that area as well.

thanks egknuti!

Bald Eagle has it's pros and cons but is overall a great lake. If you get a strong north wind (like I've had last several days) it can make life tough since it's wide open north and south. Not many little coves to fish out of the wind. What's awesome though is fishing the Isabella river on the south end. Gorgeous campsite right at the left of the mouth...best on the lake. Troll the river from the mouth to the pool at the base of the rapids about a mile up from the mouth. Have caught some giant pike (2 over 40), 22 inch smallmouth, and decent walleye (walleyes only in there till about mid June). River has basically no movement so easy to paddle. It's about 5 feet deep so use jointed rapalas or my favorite: silver and black X-Raps. There's also fair numbers of walleye if you troll back and forth on the north end of Bald Eagle right in front of where the inlet to Big Gabbro comes in...another gorgeous campsite is on the west side just before you enter Bald Eagle from Gabbro. Walleye generally on the small side. Concur on the portage to Gull being really tough...last year there were at least a half dozen downed trees. With the fire going through there it wasn't the prettiest lake but some great smallies in there!

Caught my largest walleye ever from shore on Bald Eagle from one of the East shore campsites. Was casting a Mepps spinner into the teeth of a heavy wind. Caught my biggest Northern Pike ever from the shore of an island site in Gull Lake. Caught my only BWCA crappie in Bald Eagle.

The portage to Gull isn’t the tough one. The portage to Turtle is. Doesn’t have the greatest put in either. Sharp rocks and a bit tricky. Not the prettiest lake either. Kinda stinky water.Some big pike there though.

Hey Scat, when was the last time you did the Gull portage? I was on Bald Eagle last June and we got a tremendous windstorm that blew trees down everywhere. The portage to Gull wasn't bad at all the day before the storm...day after there were about a dozen downed trees on the portage trail. Am hoping you've done that portage recently and that the trail's been cleared.

It’s been a while. Can’t remember right now. I do like that loop. It is a lot of fun.