Hello All,

So I am going in the 3rd week of May (so long the weather is not like last year). I will be going in with my 12 year old son and it will be his 5th trip. I normally go in specifically to go after Speckled Trout and have hit a good majority of them, east side and west side, and deep into the BWCA.

We will be introducing the BWCA to two of my sons friends and their fathers. Thinking walleye and bass will be what they want to go after and may be more enjoyable for them for a first trip.

So for those that are willing, anyone have a good trip for first timers that you feel would have some decent productivity for walleye and bass?

As always, any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

That's cool you will be taking your son's friends and their dads. Sounds like a great opportunity!

For a mix between great fishing and first-timers, I would suggest heading to the Thomas/Fraser area. Both of those lakes have been very productive for us and the smaller lakes connected to them also hold plenty of quality fishing options. Late May should be a good time to be there as well. You could also drop down to Alice Lake which holds plenty of walleye.

The Moose Lake entry point would be my recommendation for the ideal route to get there.

My other recommendation would be to head north to Crooked and Iron along the border. I don't have as much experience there (once) but did just fine for walleye. Probably use either the Moose River or Mudrow EPs for best access.

Hopefully you get lots of good ideas and enjoy your trip planning. My best to you and your group for a great first time experience!

Sounds like you have done a great variety of trips in your past but for first timers I would not go too far in to ease them in a little nicer. I will offer a couple suggestions for easier trips for easy Smallmouth and Walleye fishing.

Gabrro Lake area. There are a couple entry points you could book to enter here (#32 or #33). Gabbro Lake itself is a good fishing lake but may be a little busy. So, if you want to get away from people a little bit head East from Gabbro and you could do a loop up through (Gull, Pietro, Clearwater, and Turtle) We did this trip a long time ago when I was in high school and it was very memorable. There are some long portages but some really good fishing to be had.

- Let me know if you have more questions or want more specifics for either route options.

Poplar Lake Entry Point or Lizz/ Swamp Lakes (#47 or #48) . There are a lot of good options in this area for good fishing lakes and its a moosey area as well. There are a lot of good lakes in this area. I will rank them in my order of preference/ experience fishing them (Meeds, Gaskin, Vista, Horseshoe, Caribou)

Thanks so much for the note back and the information on possible trips. Will check them out.

Thanks so much for the note back and the information on possible trips. Will check them out.

OK, help out a coastal southerner. What is a Speckled trout? "My" Speckled trout trout are saltwater. Never heard that term for northern/freshwater fish before. I know the brim/bluegill, and the drum/sheepshead, and the carp/mollyflopper, but never heard of the freshwater specks? Thanks for the enlightenment....PS, I just made up the whole mollyflopper thing.

Just give them a Google, definitely in the freshwater trout family. Also known as Brook Trout. To me, with their colors, the "prettiest" fresh water fish you can catch.

That time of year I would look for moving shallow water.

Look for a lake with an inlet or below rapids in a river system.

Down the horse river to crooked comes to mind.

I would go in June if walleye and SMB were my targets.

AmarilloJim: "I would go in June if walleye and SMB were my targets."

Yep, first week of June give or take is the overlapping sweet spot for these species, imo. Bugs may be worse than a few weeks prior.