Hi folks,

Haven’t been up since 2017, looking to come back with a buddy of mine who will be a first timer. He’s in good shape, but never braved the BWCA, let alone been backpacking.

We’re looking for something decently challenging still for 6 days and 5 nights, but fishing focused (he’s a trout angler) and with a good amount of solitude, maybe ~40mi loop trip?

Flexible and open to suggestions from you more seasoned vets - let’s hear it!

Does that mean you're looking for trout? Lakers or otherwise. Or just fishing in general like smallie, walleye, etc

He’d love to catch trout, lakers or otherwise, I’d love to catch walleye, but we’re not gonna scoff at anything - smallies and northern are always fun!

Most of the lakes mentioned in this report provide great opportunities for lake trout and a couple harbor brook trout. And is a fairly aggressive route.

I think grabbing a #6 Voyageur map and developing most any route throughout that region will give you what you're requesting.

I was going to suggest something similar to what Tuscarora did. The 3 entry points near Round Lake (Brant, Missing Link, and Cross Bay Lake) offer a lot of opportunities for different loops and plenty of fishing. And if you are willing to portage, you can get away from the crowds.

One suggestion, American Point to Ottertrack, from there you have several options. Gijikiki to Cherry, that would be the most adventurous and hardest, and there's supposed to be Lakers up there. From Cherry to Hanson is pretty tough but it's there if you like that idea. Otherwise you could go through Topaz, Amoeber, and east to "Middle Knife". You can also go into Knife, go to Amoeber from the north, really steep portage but short, or just go around Thunder Point to South Knife. From there you can do several things which include Hanson and Ester, then back to Ottertrack and out the way you came in. Be aware that bears are fairly common in the Thunder Point area.

maxxbhp: "One suggestion, American Point to Ottertrack, from there you have several options. Gijikiki to Cherry, that would be the most adventurous and hardest, and there's supposed to be Lakers up there. From Cherry to Hanson is pretty tough but it's there if you like that idea. Otherwise you could go through Topaz, Amoeber, and east to "Middle Knife". You can also go into Knife, go to Amoeber from the north, really steep portage but short, or just go around Thunder Point to South Knife. From there you can do several things which include Hanson and Ester, then back to Ottertrack and out the way you came in. Be aware that bears are fairly common in the Thunder Point area. "

Excellent route!

Maybe I haven't been looking in the right places but, I hadn't seen your name in awhile. Just wanted to say it's good to see you're still around.

Trip report

maxxbhp: "One suggestion, American Point to Ottertrack, from there you have several options. Gijikiki to Cherry, that would be the most adventurous and hardest, and there's supposed to be Lakers up there. From Cherry to Hanson is pretty tough but it's there if you like that idea. Otherwise you could go through Topaz, Amoeber, and east to "Middle Knife". You can also go into Knife, go to Amoeber from the north, really steep portage but short, or just go around Thunder Point to South Knife. From there you can do several things which include Hanson and Ester, then back to Ottertrack and out the way you came in. Be aware that bears are fairly common in the Thunder Point area. "

After I read the OP I was going to suggest exactly this but you beat me to it. One of my favorite trips. Top notch scenery also.

TuscaroraBorealis: "

maxxbhp: "One suggestion, American Point to Ottertrack, from there you have several options. Gijikiki to Cherry, that would be the most adventurous and hardest, and there's supposed to be Lakers up there. From Cherry to Hanson is pretty tough but it's there if you like that idea. Otherwise you could go through Topaz, Amoeber, and east to "Middle Knife". You can also go into Knife, go to Amoeber from the north, really steep portage but short, or just go around Thunder Point to South Knife. From there you can do several things which include Hanson and Ester, then back to Ottertrack and out the way you came in. Be aware that bears are fairly common in the Thunder Point area. "

Excellent route!


Maybe I haven't been looking in the right places but, I hadn't seen your name in awhile. Just wanted to say it's good to see you're still around."

I still lurk around, not as active as I used to be. BTW that was my first trip based partly on one of your trip reports.

SimbaHasani: "... fishing focused ... maybe ~40mi loop trip?....

Fishing focused, to me, would be much less than a 40 mile loop in 6 days. It would be either/or.