I have spent the majority of my time in the BWCA on the west end off of the echo trail. I am planning to take a small group in to knife/SAK this spring on 5/23. It looks like it might be pretty popular entry point. What kind of crowds should I expect at that time? I am in for the fishing and I am excited for the variety that I can get out of that lake. Are there any smaller lakes south of SAK worth portaging to for smallies/walleye/pike or should I stick to the bigger water?

I would hit Hanson for sure. Moving water that time of year should be good. Spend time around the base of Eddy Falls on SAK, the narrow spots on Hanson. Ester has some big Smallies.

Entering from Moose I assume?

I would think it will be pretty busy and you might have to wait at a few portages heading through to Knife. Find your campsite early!

Others will have to give you fishing advice - we got skunked in late July, but you're going at the right time.

Yes, the plan was to get a tow from an outfitter on moose but am open to other options if there is something better. How far do they take you, all the way to the portage from birch to carp?


I typically basecamp, so the plan was to make it to the coves south of amoeber, the south shoreline of SAK near eddy, or the sites near toe lake. Is that possible in one day with a tow?

I think that's doable, but I would start as early as you can. With double-portaging I'd guess around 7 hours of travel, but your mileage may vary.

We got the tow (they drop you at the portage between Sucker and Birch - they don't go onto Birch) and it saves about 2 hours of paddling. Thought it was well worth it.

edit: I'm thinking 7 hours with the tow...9 without.

Much appreciated everyone!

Get the earliest tow you can, we got LaTourell's at 6:30 or 7 there two or three years ago. We'd never done that route and were on Knife by...I think 10 and after seeing Dorothy's island we were at thunder point at 11. We were at camp mid-way on the north arm around noon or so. So where you want to get is a little farther but possible in a day as long as it's not an east wind which isn't common. We were there in June, fishing was pretty good.

We've done this trip 4 times and always got a tow up to the Birch Portage at 7 am. We double portaged and never had a bad east wind to paddle into and always ended in the South Arm around 1 -2 pm. We have had a tough time finding a campsite at that time of day and also had times when many of them are open, complete wildcard on that one. As far as fishing goes Knife has it all and trophy caliber of all species to boot. As others have mentioned if the bite is tough there are plenty of easy day trip options to smaller lakes in all directions. We've always found fish deeper that what your used to partly due to the extremely clear water.

5/23 is a good time to go to knife/SAK myself i would go 7 days earlier ;)
done 15 openers in the south arm , email me i'll share a map and spots and shore set ups - frozen bait. there may even be suckers up in eddy falls to dip net for cut bait.

If you end up stopping farther west on Knife and aren't having luck there...try Portage Lake...specifically the westernmost bay there.

siusaluki23: "


Yes, the plan was to get a tow from an outfitter on moose but am open to other options if there is something better. How far do they take you, all the way to the portage from birch to carp?



I typically basecamp, so the plan was to make it to the coves south of amoeber, the south shoreline of SAK near eddy, or the sites near toe lake. Is that possible in one day with a tow?"

I really like this route. Another recommendation for Latourelle's here. We've done that route twice (mid to late June) and used them both times for a tow and canoe rentals and have had great service.

Definitely possible to make it to that area with the tow in one day, last time we made it to Thunder point area by 11, but keep in mind Knife is a big lake and with the wrong wind you will need to adjust your plan. I also hate to pass up open campsites once we hit Thunder Point.

I've been considering this route or a similar variation as well, also in late May. Question: if one were considering a point-to-point itinerary instead of an eventual return to the put-in, would you prefer to head from west to east (Moose to Seagull) or east to west (Seagull to Moose) given prevailing winds that time of year? Obviously there are no guarantees on wind direction, but I'd be curious if some of the more experienced hands than I had an opinion. I've been to the BWCA/Quetico 3-4x but hardly consider myself an expert on such things, and maybe there is no good answer anyways. Thanks

eagleriverwalleye: "I've been considering this route or a similar variation as well, also in late May. Question: if one were considering a point-to-point itinerary instead of an eventual return to the put-in, would you prefer to head from west to east (Moose to Seagull) or east to west (Seagull to Moose) given prevailing winds that time of year? Obviously there are no guarantees on wind direction, but I'd be curious if some of the more experienced hands than I had an opinion. I've been to the BWCA/Quetico 3-4x but hardly consider myself an expert on such things, and maybe there is no good answer anyways. Thanks"

Rather go west to east normally. But that's going to be one hell of a shuttle from the end of the Gunflint to Moose lake.

Right. We are going to go in at Moose and head to SAK and then work south and exit at Snowbank or Lake One for the reason you stated. Thanks for your reply.