I have been to the Boundary Waters a couple of time already and we will be planning a trip for next year. For those who have been up there before, a little recommendation, please. Fishing, especially smallmouth and solitude will be our main focus.

Thank you.

Some general thoughts....

Smallmouth are pretty widespread in the BWCA so, pretty much wherever you decide to go, you will almost certainly be in close proximity regardless where you camp

Solitude is a tougher nut to crack. But, usually it helps to get deeper into the wilderness. Although, there are no guarantees- its always kind of a crap shoot.

The large border lakes are typically the best for fishing but, that also attracts more people, and many of them are motorized. Still, since they are so large, you can achieve a sense of solitude, especially on the non-motorized lakes.


A couple of ideas would be the Boulder/Adams area or Pocket/Gebeonequet area.

So many great choices. First, decide if you prefer the west end or the east end. Think about the experience level of your group. Can they handle wind/waves that could happen on a big lake or would it be safer to stick with smaller lakes? Are they willing to tackle some more difficult portages? Usually you can find more solitude if you are willing to travel further from an entry point (but watch out you aren't just moving closer to another entry point) or take some of the long portages. Lakes with just a single campsite can give you a sense of solitude as well. Just be prepared with a back up plan if the site is already taken.

Have you read either of the Beymer books about the Boundary Waters yet? Lots of good route ideas and descriptions of the lakes and portages, as well as basic fish inventory by lake.

Yeah, buy the Beymer books. Everyone on here has personal favorites but what I like might not be what you like. It’s a big place. Before the internet I used the Beymer books to plan dozens of trips. I still use them as reference. I have a second edition book, wish I got in on the first edition!

everything else I take with a grain of salt.
Tom

muagthai: "I have been to the Boundary Waters a couple of time already and we will be planning a trip for next year. For those who have been up there before, a little recommendation, please. Fishing, especially smallmouth and solitude will be our main focus.

Thank you."

In addition to the advice on locations and portages mentioned by others, you should also consider what time of year you want to go. Going in early May or after Labor Day (theoretically) cuts down on the number of people you encounter.

For solitude it basically revolves around the Ely area vs the Gunflint area, time of year, and lakes chosen.

We left the Ely area years ago due to the crowds and moved to entry points off the Gunflint. We also moved from May/Summer to middle to late September.

We typically put in off Seagull and move into one of the adjoining lakes to base camp. We rarely if every see anyone.

Solitude? Find the beaten path and get off it. Doesn't need to be far. We stayed on Hudson last summer. Main path goes from Lake 4 to Insula. We set up camp on the north arm. Some days there were people paddling through, some days nobody.

There are spots on Insula and Alice that in a week of camping you might only see 2-3 canoes, usually at a distance.

Early spring and late fall and the farther in you go the more solitude you'll find

Thanks everyone! I'm so much looking forward to it.