Planning a fishing-camping trip for six active adults 70+ years of age. Not sure where to put in to make a 4-5 day trip with fairly short portages and good fishing. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

A few options...

Sea Gull to Alpine
Moose to Ensign
Snowbank to Disappointment
Poplar to Horseshoe
Gabbro to Bald Eagle

BTW Welcome to bwca.com!

There's a big "if" in my suggestion, but here it is anyway.

"IF" Canada and the US reopen the border for travel, give a thought to going to Quetico. Put in at Nym Lake or French Lake, then find your way to a campsite someplace on Batchewaung or Pickerel and fish for the week. Those are pretty big lakes, but you can find some quiet bays or maybe a lake a short portage away that will give you a great experience, solitude and fishing.

Now, rumor has it that Quetico is all "fished out", but you might be able to scrounge up a fish or two. ;-)

TuscaroraBorealis: " Poplar to Horseshoe

I agree with Poplar to Horseshoe, but would consider making it just a bit longer by heading to Gaskin. Best of luck!

TuscaroraBorealis: "Moose to Ensign
Snowbank to Disappointment "

Moose-Ensign are great fishing - but a little busy at times. This or the Lake One loop around to Snowbank if you want to do more traveling. The number lakes are actually pretty good fishing for Walleye and Northern, also smaller portages.

If the US Canada border is closed you may want to consider getting a tow to Snow Bay on the west end of Lac La Croix. Lots of good fishing and campsites spread across the many islands. LLC is vast but doesn’t feel that big when on the water, in my opinion. And you can day trip into lakes just south of LLC.

If the border is open you may want to consider a tow to Bottle Portage (East end of LLC) and head into Iron Lake (80 rod portage) and then into Crooked (120 rod portage along Curtain Falls). Or just stay on the southeast portion of LLC. It’s all great fishing and you don’t need to travel a day or more to get away from people or onto good fishing. You can stay in the US only if you want or get a permit and head into Quetico. The options greatly increase in number if you go into Quetico through this same entry point.... Includes McAree (Rebecca Falls), Middle Roland, and Argo. All these are relatively short portages, the latter two from Crooked, and these three Q lakes all hold Lake Trout (if you are going in May or June).

In either case above, I like Anderson’s in Crane Lake for the tow service. They have a motel where you can spend the night before the tow in the morning.

You could put in at the Homer Lake entry point and take a couple short easy portages into Vern Lake. Two campsites on the lake, both decent. Vern Lake itself has proven to be pretty good fishing for us and a sidetrip up the Vern River a ways is pretty neat, scenic and also good fishing. We have had pretty good luck with both walleyes and smallies, including some very nice ones, with a few pike thrown in as well. Nice, easy and quiet trip.


Vern River view




My buddy's Vern River smallie

Baker lake entry and head north slowly. Go as far as you want or feel like you want to tackle based on portage length

Welcome. I agree with TuscaroraBorealis' choices. If you are okay with being on a big lake I also suggest Big Sag at the end of the Gunflint Trail. It is a motor lake, but as long as you stay away from the outfitter route for their tow in services, it is pretty quiet.