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07/10/2020 11:41PM  
Background: 55 yrs old last I counted, daughter 29 and boyfriend 28. I'm a 7-time BWCA tripper, but the kids have never been.

Objective: We're looking for a 4-6 dayish trip ideas. We'd like to do some fishing, though not the entire reason for going. We would like to move but not "push it" like so many do. We want a casual relaxing trip that on occasion challenges us.

We're shooting for the mid-September range to go. I've looked at several routes so far and I can comment on those I've researched. Slim entry/ I don't like the number of permits issued daily vs. the number of campsites there.

Sawbill -> Fire lakes. This seems the most attractive for me at the moment. That said, Is mid September going to give us a crowd?

Small loops if you think is cool is in play, in and out the same way is in play, and flat out base camping with some decent day portages for fishing is in play. Hit me up with the ideas!
 
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07/11/2020 12:43PM  
It seems to me your leaning toward Sawbill is as good as any. You will probably not encounter too much traffic and can follow your desire for a loop with a drop off or pickup from Sawbill Lake. Check outfitters for handling the details or if you have transportation solved, you can do that your way as well. An in and out is quite doable here and from any entry point in the BW.

Take at least 2 tents and your imposing on each other's space will be more limited.
cyclones30
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07/11/2020 02:57PM  
I'd think the crowds will have gone down by then. Lots of options out there. Clearwater to Caribou on the east side comes to mind. Little Indian Sioux N on the far NW side also fits. As does Sawbill like you mentioned and many others.
07/11/2020 03:47PM  
You could go in Baker as well as Sawbill and head north or west. Another option would be Lizz Lake. It doesn't sound like you want to travel very many miles in a day and would prefer to keep portages short and easy . . . ? Maybe Bower Trout or East Bearskin. Could go in Isabella too.
07/11/2020 06:34PM  
okinaw, Slim is a nice lake and an easy entry. Very pretty lake with pretty good fishing and 4 decent campsites. There are additional campsites on Rice Lake, Hook and Keneu. I would worry more about how many are actually taken in the couple days leading up to your entry, and the day of entry, than the number available. Slim is one of those lakes where many of the entries go unused - but not always. For example...I picked Sept 13th as your hypothetical entry date. Right now there are 2 permits taken for September 10th...but not another single permit gone from Sept 6th through Sept 20th. I would say you are pretty safe.

Having said that there are lots of good places and one you mention the Fire Lakes. They are fed by both the Sawbill and the Baker entry so can be busy. You might consider the Baker entry but go north instead to Kelly, Jack, Weird and up to South Temperance - a beautiful lake with good fishing. Full of points, bays and islands and with 4 good campsites. Good daytrip options too.
Kelly and Jack offer several campsites, very good fishing, long river like stretches of paddling that are very nice, and are known for frequent moose sightings.

There aren't many bad choices but the point I am trying to make is to put more emphasis on permits taken (which can change obviously) than permits availablefor a particular area.

BTW, take a look at the Homer Lake entry and read my trip report if you are interested, also included a Baker Lake trip report



Homer Lake July 2018



Baker entry
Michwall2
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07/11/2020 09:32PM  
Kawishiwi Lake - Entry 37. Day 1 Kawishiwi to Polly Lake. Day 3 Polly Lake to Phoebe Lake. Day 5 Phoebe to Alton Lake. Day 6 Out to Sawbill. Requires 2 cars or a shuttle from Sawbill to Kawishiwi Lake.
 
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