Hey everyone,

Going in next week on Sawbill. I asked Sawbill Canoe Outfitters and they were super helpful, but basically I'm overwhelmed on my choices and don't know what lake or campsite we should shoot for.

Going in with three other guys who are all new to BWCA. I have been once and went in on Moose Lake. We're looking to find a great base camp and take little day excursions to go fishing/hiking/exploring. We may be open to the possibility of moving camp sites, but consider it a remote possibility.

I think we're mainly fishing for walleye and want a decent swimming lake. Don't need a sandy beach at our campsite, but I'd like to not be swimming in cat tails/weeds if possible.

What direction should we go for this + best access to other lakes/areas for exploring? I heard there was an abandoned silver mine on one of the eastern lakes that could be neat to check out, but I imagine it's just a deep hold in the ground.

Thanks!

I'd look into Alton, just one short easy portage in from Sawbill. You mentioned hiking and you're not far from the Lujineda-Zenith portage which would give you a ton of hiking if you wanted to just leave the canoe at the portage start. (pulled up out of the way) North end of Alton or even into the Kelso area would be very cool. Lots of campsite options, you feel like you're in the wilderness, but you're also only a few hour trip from your vehicle at the outfitter/campground. Day trip to Beth or north end of Sawbill would also be good options from there.

I would check out Flame/Burnt or Grace/Phoebe area. Probably a little easier walleye fishing Alton and Sawbill. Plus you'll do a couple real portages (i.e. more than 20-30 rods) and the newbies will get the full experience.

Head north to see the Dolman Rock.

Wolfee: "I would check out Flame/Burnt or Grace/Phoebe area. Probably a little easier walleye fishing Alton and Sawbill. Plus you'll do a couple real portages (i.e. more than 20-30 rods) and the newbies will get the full experience."

Sounds like consensus so far is to go west to Alton at least and deeper if desired. Going in next Thursday morning - do you think it's going to be hectic and hard to find a site or has the new permit limit helped ease congestion?

aarono2690: "

Wolfee: "I would check out Flame/Burnt or Grace/Phoebe area. Probably a little easier walleye fishing Alton and Sawbill. Plus you'll do a couple real portages (i.e. more than 20-30 rods) and the newbies will get the full experience."

Sounds like consensus so far is to go west to Alton at least and deeper if desired. Going in next Thursday morning - do you think it's going to be hectic and hard to find a site or has the new permit limit helped ease congestion?"

Permits were only reduced by 3, so there is still a fairly large daily quota of 11 per day. That said, folks can go a lot of different directions from Sawbill. If you go in just a little deeper than Alton Sawbill or Kelso, you can leave a large portion of the crowds behind.

To clarify what I wrote about fishing, I think Alton is a more challenging lake to find walleye due to the size and water clarity. You might have an easier time finding them on those smaller lakes.

I'd go east with newbs. Portage landings are rocky if you go west.

pswith5: "I'd go east with newbs. Portage landings are rocky if you go west. "

Do you have a recommendation for a lake we should set up camp on? Not sure how deep to go to find a decent camping spot for swimming and fishing close by.

You are entering at the most busy time of the year. It is good to have a plan, but I would strongly encourage a back-up plan(s).

Going east my be the easiest, however, most others know this as well. Smoke and Burnt are often full. That leaves heading over a hilly 210 rd. portage to Kelly Lake. Kelly Lake is also very close to an entry point (Baker Lake) While the permits have been reduced, they are all taken for many days before you enter. You can do the math. If everything is full from Smoke to Kelly, your options then are to turn north toward Jack Lake (2 campsites) Weird Lake (1 campsite). (The mine shaft you mentioned is between Kelly and Jack Lake. It is nearer the Jack Lake end and to the west. You can probably spot a trail spur off the portage.) Not a lot of choices after that other than to go further north to the Temperance Lakes. South Temperance is often full (from both Baker Lake and Brule Lake.). North Temperance seems to have less use but by then you will be very late in the day.

My vote is west. Please take a set of binoculars with you. It can save a lot of paddling to check out campsites. You can see most of the campsites in the north basin of Alton Lake from the water near the portage from Sawbill with those binoculars. Turning south will require more paddling as campsites are located in among islands. Turning west toward Beth Lake takes you to a slightly hilly 140 rd portage.

Beth has some very nice campsites and has the advantage of being close to Alton for day trips back to fish. It only has bass in it. It also has a reputation as a nice place to take families and may also be full.

Your next option is to go to Grace Lake. Take the 280 rd. portage. The "shorter' portages to Ella and then to Grace are full of boulders. The 280 rd portage is hilly and will require some work. This is to your advantage. Not many people want to cross this barrier. Grace Lake often has campsites open in the northern bay. Grace as both walleye and bass. You can also make a day trip to the best walleye fishery in the area - Phoebe Lake.

You could also skip Grace Lake and head to Phoebe Lake and day trip back to Grace and over to Knight Lake for more fishing.

All in all, I think west holds more hope for finding a campsite for the same amount of work.

Michwall2: "You are entering at the most busy time of the year. It is good to have a plan, but I would strongly encourage a back-up plan(s).


Going east my be the easiest, however, most others know this as well. Smoke and Burnt are often full. That leaves heading over a hilly 210 rd. portage to Kelly Lake. Kelly Lake is also very close to an entry point (Baker Lake) While the permits have been reduced, they are all taken for many days before you enter. You can do the math. If everything is full from Smoke to Kelly, your options then are to turn north toward Jack Lake (2 campsites) Weird Lake (1 campsite). (The mine shaft you mentioned is between Kelly and Jack Lake. It is nearer the Jack Lake end and to the west. You can probably spot a trail spur off the portage.) Not a lot of choices after that other than to go further north to the Temperance Lakes. South Temperance is often full (from both Baker Lake and Brule Lake.). North Temperance seems to have less use but by then you will be very late in the day.


My vote is west. Please take a set of binoculars with you. It can save a lot of paddling to check out campsites. You can see most of the campsites in the north basin of Alton Lake from the water near the portage from Sawbill with those binoculars. Turning south will require more paddling as campsites are located in among islands. Turning west toward Beth Lake takes you to a slightly hilly 140 rd portage.


Beth has some very nice campsites and has the advantage of being close to Alton for day trips back to fish. It only has bass in it. It also has a reputation as a nice place to take families and may also be full.


Your next option is to go to Grace Lake. Take the 280 rd. portage. The "shorter' portages to Ella and then to Grace are full of boulders. The 280 rd portage is hilly and will require some work. This is to your advantage. Not many people want to cross this barrier. Grace Lake often has campsites open in the northern bay. Grace as both walleye and bass. You can also make a day trip to the best walleye fishery in the area - Phoebe Lake.


You could also skip Grace Lake and head to Phoebe Lake and day trip back to Grace and over to Knight Lake for more fishing.


All in all, I think west holds more hope for finding a campsite for the same amount of work."

Thanks for this. We're all young guys in good shape so they definitely won't mind going deeper west. I think we'll shoot for Phoebe, but IF we see something good that's open on the way we'll take it. I believe if we go in with the assumption that we're going relatively deep on our first day then anything closer is gravy.