Well, I have given up on Quetico again this year and got a permit for BW. Looking at Ester Lake and wondering if anyone has any fishing advice in this area for mid-May. My buddy and I are 65+ and hoping to go one more time. We enjoy walleye and lakers.

None or very, very few walleye in Ester.

Lakers you'll find there. Walleye may have to head more for SAK, Ottertrack, Cherry, etc which are all just a portage away

Ester has some really nice smallies and some small Lakers. For walleyes I would head to Ottertrack or the eastern bays on SAK.

cowdoc: "Ester has some really nice smallies and some small Lakers. For walleyes I would head to Ottertrack or the eastern bays on SAK."

The lake has changed since the 80's Use to have big lake trout and few small mouth bass.

Thanks everyone for your input. It is so helpful to get real advice based on experience. When you have limited time it helps to go where others have had some success. THANKS MUCH!

deancal20: "Thanks everyone for your input. It is so helpful to get real advice based on experience. When you have limited time it helps to go where others have had some success. THANKS MUCH!"

Btw....my one portage away doesn't mean those are all easy. The portage to Cherry is known to one of the hardest <100 rd portages around.

cyclones30: "

deancal20: "Thanks everyone for your input. It is so helpful to get real advice based on experience. When you have limited time it helps to go where others have had some success. THANKS MUCH!"

Btw....my one portage away doesn't mean those are all easy. The portage to Cherry is known to one of the hardest <100 rd portages around. "

Especially tough in the winter with 3 feet of snow.

deancal20: "Well I have given up on Quetico again this year and got a permit for BW. Looking at Ester lake and wondering if anyone has any fishing advice in this area in mid May. My buddy and I are 65+ and hoping to go one more time. We enjoy Walleye and Lakers. "

Can't say I've fished Ester but we did really well fishing Hanson Lake just next door for lakers in Sept 2020. Blue/Chrome spoons, vertical jigging soft plastics and walleye runners all caught us Lake Trout (30-40' of water, surface temps were in the high 50's to low 60's). I am guessing the smaller Lake Trout lakes in that area are going to be tough for Walleye-generally those lakes are dominated by Lake Trout. I agree that it might be worth it to head to Ottertrack or South Arm Knife if you are searching for Walleye.

Here's a link to a video from that September trip if you're interested:

Hanson Lake Trout Fishing Sept 2020

Thanks! I have been a follower of your videos for some time now. Great job with the gopro. I am hoping early spring will produce like the fall. I watched your video on Amoeber and that looks like it would easier to get to instead of Hanson. If you had to pick between the two for lakers, what would be your choice?