Entering Sunday 8:30 am tow. Would like to basecamp and fish. Thoughts on availability of above lake sites? Fishing? Would like to try for trout this year.
Thoughts on other lakes in general area?
Thanks.

Knife is better for Lake trout. Ensign is known as a good walleye lake.

Knife has a bit more attractions with the Isle of Pines. Thunder Point, and Eddy Falls. Depends on if you want to paddle a bit more. Knife will take more effort to portage into though.

Either of those lakes can be competitive for campsites!

Ryan

If you want lake trout, Knife is a better bet, or work your way over to Kekakabic, or Amoeber. Ima is supposed to be a lake trout lake, and Thomas, but it requires several more difficult portages to get there than getting to Knife. The Knife portages are superhighways, often crowded, but wide and not too much elevation change. The campsite next to the portage in Ashigan is really nice if you want to get off of Ensign and if it is available. Ashigan only seems to have bass, but you can portage over to Ensign or the Gibson/ Cattyman or Adventure to fish lakes with no campsites for day trips that are supposed to have Walleye. We thought the site would be too close to the portage, but it gets quiet in the evening due to being so far from the next lakes with campsites. Mornings may see a fair amount of traffic, but it isn't really as close to the portage as it looks.

We stayed at the site right by the portage on ensign and that little spot right before the water moves into Splash was a great bass spot. I think we hit on every cast.

If you want a summer camp experience with lots of canoes out on the water, go to Ensign. You will catch plenty of walleye, though.

I would recommend going to Knife, specifically South Arm, although Knife is such a big lake fishing can be tough. However you will be guaranteed a lake trout or two if you get into Sema and troll a deep tail dancer.