I am very inexperienced as a lake trout fisherman. I go to the bwca every year and have never targeted lake trout. I plan on doing a mid May trip in 2021, as I hear that is the best time of year to catch them because they are in shallow water.

I am wondering if they also move in shallow in the late fall. If I were to head up in the fall, it would probably be just me and my small boat with 9.5HP motor. Here are my questions:

1) Do the lake trout move into shallower water in the late fall making them easier to catch? Enough so that I could just troll or cast and retrieve to catch them?

2) If they do, what time in the fall should I shoot for?

3) Any lake suggestions? I would prefer to stay overnight at a reasonably priced cabin on a lake that allows for my boat and has an access.

Bonus question) Any ideas for where to go in mid-May next spring? That would be an actual 5-ish day canoe in adventure with my usual group of friends that go every year.

Thanks for any info you have! Happy paddling to everyone

LT season closes Oct 1

They are usually pretty deep in Sept.

That is very useful information. That shows how little I know about lake trout fishing. I will focus my energy on a spring 2021 trip then.

Lake Trout spawn in the late fall when water temps drop to about 50F. That’s probably why the season closes by then.

Any LT fishing tactics specific to September?

I troll deep crankbaits (40'-60').

AmarilloJim: "I troll deep crankbaits (40'-60'). "

Picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks

tcoeguy -- You might consider a lake like Gunflint Lake in September. The vast majority of the day use motor permits on the good LT lakes are booked at the end of the season -- they really limit those numbers over the last couple weeks it seems. Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters is not in the BWCA, but it's right on the trail and I bet you could troll up some lakers over a couple days. With a boat that small you can also get into the connecting non-BW lakes as well. I bet the outfitters has a "canoer cabin" available.

Also on the trail and non-BW is West Bearskin for lake trout. Nice little easy access right near Clearwater Lodge.