Hi everyone -> 1st I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has commented on my previous questions. I have never been to the BWCA before, but I have been gathering information for the past few months and I really appreciate everyone who has provided insight. If all goes well I will be graduating with my Doctorate in Educational Leadership in May of 2020. My wife has signed off (lol) on my first trip. I am a die hard smallmouth bass fisherman... so my goal would be big smallmouth... Everything I have read says that the beginning of June is the best time to accomplish this goal...I have a few questions and would love it if some folks could chime in...

How do you get from Minneapolis Airport to Ely? (Rent a car and park it for the duration of your trip)
Are there outfitters that only do Quetico trips vs BWCA trips?
Is there a single lake I should focus on or go on various lakes to accomplish this goal?..
I have read that I have to go into Quetico... I will most likely flying into Minneapolis on a Tuesday and won't reach Ely until Tuesday night.
I would be able to start my canoe trip on a Wednesday but would have to end it on Saturday so that I can fly out of Minneapolis on Sunday...
I know this is a loaded post... thank you to anyone who has the patience to read it and contribute.. I literally can't wait to have this first experience!

PS Excuse me if any of these questions are silly or basic info.. this will be my first trip!

Congratulations on your Doctorate in education. I will try to answer your questions.

First I would just rent a vehicle to get you to the area. That way you would be in control of the time or date of your Arrival departure, or you might want to stop somewhere along the way.

You will need to reserve lodging at an outfitter or hotel for your night before and maybe after.

Outfitters in the USA will outfit you to anywhere you want to go, not specific to one area.

Smallmouth Bass are everywhere up there. I’ve caught plenty of 19-21” smallies every few casts in the BWCA. So don’t limit yourself to Canada. The bonus of Quetico is less people, less fishing pressure, better fishing in general in my opinion. If Canada is your destination you will also need a passport, check in and back out of countries, fishing license, outdoors card, and permit for Quetico.

Your choice of the first week of June is perfect timing. Most years they are off their beds by that time and hungry.

As far as specific lakes, I will list two in the BWCA. I would suggest Clearwater lake on the north shore because of the cliffs on the south shore. I have had two 100 fish days here. Another is the eastern part of Ensign. Fish the bays and you will catch big fish.

Another good idea is to check your highway route against whatever road construction is going on at the time. Spring in Minnesota also means road construction season.

If I were you I'd go to Knife, Iron, or Crooked lakes there are monster smallies in all these, I caught my personal best 23.75" in Iron but I've seen just as big of fish in knife. I've been to all these lakes several times, If I had to pick one it would be knife just b/c I've been there more, there have been june trips when we had over 20 fish over 20 inches it's crazy. Plus topwater just before dark is a blast. If you have any questions shoot me an email.

Congrats on the Docorate, my wife has her's. you looking at being a superintendent or more in lines of a principal? my wife was director of special education and offsite programming and work expiernece coordinator, her plate was pretty full, it kind of burned her out, now she is a regional coordinator at our area education agency, handles all the local schools IEP's. but she gets summers off again LOL Good luck

It is a four hour drive from MSP airport to Ely and a little more than five hours to outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. Like SV says, Minnesota outfitters can help you plan a trip to Quetico too. Just realize you will need proper Canadian paperwork, permits, and licenses, and a passport to reenter the US after a trip to Quetico. The fee for Quetico is based on the number of days you plan to be in the park, while the fee for the BWCAW is strictly per person. (You can stay in the BWCAW as long as you like for the same entrance fee.)

Black Flies will be present in June so you may want to bring a head net.

Congratulations indeed on your doctorate - an excellent accomplishment!

I agree that it’s probably best to rent a car at MSP and drive up. You might even be able to find a weekly rate that’s better than daily for 4-5 days. A rental will put you in control of your timing, and it’s already a fairly short trip.

If you decide to go the Quetico route, keep in mind you would need to send in your passport and application to get an RABC (Remote Access Border Crossing) which I believe takes a few weeks. Not something to leave to the last minute. I’m thinking with just four days on the water, you’d be better off staying on he US side to try to maximize your fishing time. I like the idea of Knife as it’s a great fishing lake for all four main species. I have not been to Iron or Crooked, but I think they may take a little longer to get to (someone correct me if I’m wrong). You could consider staying at one of the outfitters on Moose Lake the night before and after, then you are on the water bright and early. If you get a tow up Moose, you can be on Knife by mid afternoon and fishing before dinner. The few portages to get there are not hard, but give you a nice idea of what the area is about. Knife should provide you with plenty of small mouths, but you might want to give a couple of the native species a try too. No reason you could not catch them all in four days, or even one day if you try hard.

You will have plenty of good options for chasing smallies up there. Have fun researching it all!

Just as an alternative, some outfitters do shuttle to and from Hibbing MN and Duluth MN airports. Check airfares and car rental costs and, assuming you are at least renting a canoe and nay need lodging, see what an outfitter might do for you on the whole thing. Might be more relaxing and almost any outfitter shuttle driver is likely to be an interesting chat on drive. Just saying there are options.

And for Quetico, I think Atikokan outfitters shuttle to Thunder Bay. Avoids RABC and lower permit fees for Q. And the US dollar does well now.

If it's your first trip, I'd just stick with the BWCA and avoid the extra logistics of Quetico. Both will have great fishing, Quetico will be more remote with less fishing pressure, but you won't be disappointed anywhere in the BWCA.

I'd second the suggestion on Knife.....great fishing lake you can catch a grand slam on if you're interested, (smallmouth, walleye, lakers and northern pike). Be prepared for weather, it can still me mighty cold at night in early June.

Not sure if you're a fish eater or not, but SMB in the BWCA taste just fine. I don't eat the ones we catch in Ohio, but I do in the BWCA. No fishy taste at all due to their better diet.

Have a great trip.