Looking into taking a short trip this winter to a cabin near the BWCA Gunflint side. We don't own ATVs or snowmobiles and not looking to rent. Not so sure this out of shape body would be able to snowshoe too far either! What places might be near lakes that are accessible/plowed so a car or truck could drive out onto the lake for the day to fish?

You're wanting to drive onto the ice? Or drive to an access point and walk out?

Burntside, White Iron, etc would be lakes near Ely that aren't in the BWCA that might fit what you're looking for.

cyclones30: "You're wanting to drive onto the ice? Or drive to an access point and walk out?

Burntside, White Iron, etc would be lakes near Ely that aren't in the BWCA that might fit what you're looking for. "

The OP is asking to "drive out onto the lake" from a cabin near the "Gunflint side". I don't have any recommendations either.

Definitely seen people driving out onto Clearwater once the ice thickens up. Would recommend 4wd and decent ground clearance to get on and off the lake and deal with snow. Clearwater Rd can get interesting too. It also brings you past West Bearskin Lake which has a parking lot on the east end and I bet a road extends out onto the lake from there (its a more gentle grade than Clearwater). But I've never fished West Bearskin and haven't spent much time fishing the driveable portions of Clearwater to really give you any tips. The eastern 2/3 or more of Clearwater is in the wilderness and motorized travel is restricted.

tg

Clearwater is a decent choice. I've caught trout off that first point on your left as you leave the access; maybe 1/4 mile out. No guarantees the road will be good, though. Same with Gunflint Lake. I've driven out there, as well, but "somebody" needs to have plowed it. There is a huge cultural difference between the Gunflint and surrounding areas as compared to North Central MN. Folks in Cook County don't even discuss driving out. It's not a thing. Ice fishing means snow machines and lake trout. The Mille Lacs, red Lake, LOW culture it means pickups and walleyes.
All that said, in my late 50's and (at the time) around 260 lbs, I walked out and lived on quite a few area lakes. Loon is a short walk to 100 feet of water, for example, and the lakes stocked with Rainbows are pretty easy to walk to, as well.

Gunflint and Clearwater are the only lakes I’ve ever seen people drive on. I’ve seen a plowed road on west bearskin once. Otherwise, there’s several lakes where you can park at the access point, and it’s a short walk out.