My wife and I are spending a week at East Bearskin this month and wonder if anybody has recommendations on non-BWCA lakes to fish during the day in the general area? We've fished Crocodile, Aspen, Leo, Hungry Jack, Flour...we're looking for walleye, SM, or trout.

Shoot me an email if you have a helpful tip and don't want to share it on the board, I'll swear to secrecy :)

Thanks.

To clarify -- you looking for lakes with motorboat access? Assume so since you want outside the BWCA.

You mention trout -- it will have to be stream trout since laker season closed Sept 30.

We’ll have a canoe and a car, looking to do some day fishing. Mostly interested in walleye, then bass, maybe brookies or rainbows. Good point on the laker season thanks - never fished this late in the season your reminder is helpful.

Have been looking into a day trip to Swamp and wonder if there’s any place to park on Little Ollie Rd? We’ve also fished Twin Lakes - ideally we find some water with launch access.

Unless you're bent on paddling a new lake, I'd think Crocodile is just about as close to a sure bet for walleye. Self-issue a day use permit for EP 66 and have at it. Iron Lake would be an easily accessible option for walleye as well. I haven't fished it but there always seems to be a couple boat trailers in the lot when I pass.

For rainbows, hard to beat Leo.

You could also check out Mayhew for stream trout, though I believe they have stopped stocking that lake. If you're up for a steep portage, Topper is an option for Brook Trout.

SMB... We caught a mess of them on Magnetic this year, on the far end near the portage to the Granite River route. A little further down the trail than you're looking, but if you have a low-wind day the paddle from Gunflint Lodge to Magnetic is nice.

Thanks for this, we’ll almost certainly be hitting Croc and Leo again this trip. We paddled to Magnetic once before to look at the cabin on the island but didn’t bring our rods, I’ll keep this in mind as it really is a nice paddle out.

I’ve been to Mayhew once but again, didn’t fish it. A steep portage will be a harder sell for the type of vacation my tripping partner is expecting (think docks and fireplaces) but I plan to get back and try for brookies someday

fadersup: "Thanks for this, we’ll almost certainly be hitting Croc and Leo again this trip. We paddled to Magnetic once before to look at the cabin on the island but didn’t bring our rods, I’ll keep this in mind as it really is a nice paddle out.


I’ve been to Mayhew once but again, didn’t fish it. A steep portage will be a harder sell for the type of vacation my tripping partner is expecting (think docks and fireplaces) but I plan to get back and try for brookies someday
"

That cabin is so cool -- some pretty ones up in the hills above as well. Have a great trip!

Lots of good suggestions here. +1 on Leo for rainbow.

One more that comes to mind is portaging into Moon from Flour. Maybe more effort than you're looking for on this trip, but can be productive for walleye, though I have no experience with Oct fishing there so maybe call Golden Eagle Lodge if you consider Moon. SMB fishing near the small (western most) island on Flour can be fun.