Well, I decided not to worry about lake trout as the season ends the day after I get there. Maybe come spring. I’ll be back first of October and my wife will join me for her first time. She’s experienced just not BWCA and portages, and loves to fish as much as me...almost.

Tell me your thoughts on EP39, Baker Lake? It looks like tons of possibilities. According to lake finder, all those small lakes have a good variety of fish so maybe I can find a bite. May also be out of the wind a bit? Looks like going north could be fishy. If not, portage over to Burnt or something?

Does that sound like a good trip as far as fishing and water levels? Also, are those creeks going east out to Stem and a couple more small ponds/lakes navigable? We are staying seven days and I’d like to check out some of those if water levels will allow. Since there are no long portages, at least for a couple days, I’m gonna bring some live bait along to maybe get a bite.

One last thing... does anyone have any ideas if/when the lakes turn over? I’ve not kept up with the weather so maybe someone has.

Thanks for any advice or alternative ideas. I have not bought a permit yet so I’m not chained to this idea. If I can’t get a permit, I can just wait a few more days, but that doesn’t look to be an issue. Thanks again.

Baker Lake is one of my favorite entries. The portages are indeed easy (flat and short). This route follows the Temperance River watershed north to the Temperance Lakes. It is a beautiful valley. The lakes are long and narrow river-like paddles. Nice hills line both sides of the waterway. Kelly Lake has several nice campsites to choose from. On Jack Lake the peninsula site is the nicest of the two. There is an abandoned mine shaft you can visit to the west of the north end of Kelly/Jack portage.

I do not remember encountering threads on the board that mention Stem Lake. There are several that talk about the Vern River though (mostly warning about the difficulty).

The portage between Kelly and Burnt Lake, as well as being somewhat longish, has some ups and downs in it. It is a pretty walk in the fall. I like Burnt Lake. Nice islands and scenery.

An easier walk would be to South Temperance Lake. The longish portage is relatively flat (compared to the one to Burnt anyhow) and South Temperance is an island studded beauty. There is usually good fishing to be found here with multiple species.

Hope you have a great trip!

Love going in EP39. As Michwall said very easy portages until the somewhat longer walk along the Temperance river into South Temperance. It is 240 but like Michwall said the 230 to Burnt is much more difficult.
To address your thoughts on getting to Stem lake via the Pipe Creek.....Good Luck. I tried in 2015 to follow the river to get to Pipe. Water levels were up and at the first section where it dips south was nothing but swamp. Tried to step out and see about bottom and almost got stuck. If I were not solo I would have tried further. It would be a rough trip.
As far as fishing goes, I have fished all of the lakes mentioned extensively and they are some of the best and hold variety of species. While Burnt is tough to get to from Kelly, the fishing is well worth the effort. You will catch fish all the way from Peterson to S. Temperance. My son pulled a 40+ Pike from the flowage at the North End of Kelly (orange mark is general area on map) . The campsite there is not bad and if you like the noise of running water it works. Definitely check out the Gold Mine at the Jack Lake end of the Portage between Kelly and Jack. There is a path to the left just before you get to Jack Lake next to a tree. It is not to far back in the woods.
If you would like some fishing hole locations send me an email and I can provide you with a bunch.
I don't have a problem sharing them on the forum, but some people do not like it so I have stopped after getting some emails..... I like everyone to have good luck and If I can help with that I will.

Thanks a lot folks. Sounds like it’s just what I was looking for! I was just curious about those small creeks and ponds and if they had any depth. I know what you mean about the mud and getting stuck. I bushwhacked from big moose lake to the pma lake to the west. Wow, was it a nightmare. I didn’t attempt to bring my canoe but I did carry an inflatable. About halfway there I dumped that heavy raft and planned to just picked it up on my way back to camp. Nope....couldn’t find it in the dark. I finally got to camp but had to slog through it all again in light to get my gear. I had a blast! Thanks again and I’ll post a report when I get back home.

Take pictures and have fun. Seems like walleye could be biting too which makes for a healthy menu.