Thinking about retiring this fall and looking for some places to spend some quality time in BWCA-like areas that don't require a permit and a lot of advance planning, but still offer BWCA-like scenery, solitude and fishing. I definitely know several of them already that I will revisit, but would like to add a few more options to the list.

Have any of you spent time on Jeanette Lake that could comment on the quality of the experience - solitude, scenery, fishing, etc.? (I know there's a campground and motorboats are allowed, but hear it is not very busy.)

Specifically, I would like to know if anyone has explored the six remote campsites on the lake and can speak to the quality of those campsites and which are the best?

A bit of traffic on a lake and even a few motorboats won't ruin it for me. This will be in addition to BWCA, not replacing. Echo Lake is another one I am looking at, so comments welcome for that area, too.

And, of course, this may be an important point, if you know of any other remote spots that could provide what I am looking for I would love to hear about them. No permits, decent remote campsites, decent fishing, good scenery, and a BWCA-like feeling.

Johnson Lake, right on the border of Voyagers National Park, is another I am curious about. Looks amazing, and would love to hear about that if you have been there.

Thanks a bunch for any comments/info.

Are you retiring from your grocery store or from all work?

Nanibijou lodge is looking for temp help, and that is right In the area of all kinds of paddling options!

The Jeanette lake area is a good choice. I know Astrid has two campsites that are/were pretty nice. Pauline also has one, though I have never stayed on it. Maude Lake is nice, though I'm not sure of the campsite. Check out the outlet of Maude..very scenic little spot.

The Isabella area has a lot of potential to, both for little out if the way campgrounds and individual campsites that don't seem to be mapped. Divide Lake, Eighteen lake, Hogback lake, Surprise Lake.....the list goes on and on.

Silver Island Lake has nice BW looking sites. I have camped on the Most northern site and it is beautiful. Huge ledge rock for camping and all sandy below it, about 3-4 feet deep for wading..

Two Island Lake Campground isn't too far off the Gunflint Trail and is close to Grand Marais. East Bearskin Lake Campground and Flour Lake Campground are also off the Gunflint Trail. Sawbill Lake Campground has always been a favorite.

I have used site 11 at Jeanette before. It's definitely not the most remote as it's right off the main loop. I don't mind Jeanette, it's not super busy most of the time. The one complaint I do have is that if you stay near that main loop you could potentially hear a generator from a motor home all night. In 2017 we had an older gentleman camped next to us on the main loop that needed a cpap and had a generator running the entire night.
We never did explore the lake much as it is usually only a place to camp the night prior to entering, but the other remote campsites are on the entire other side of the lake and I can imagine it would be a lot quieter.

A few years ago in September a buddy and I entered via the Hunting Shack River and paddled south to Astrid Lake . Stayed at the campsite on the western shore and it was a good one. Great trip, great lake, really good hiking in the area with some of the largest glacial erratics you will ever see and we didn't see another soul for several days. But even though we were close we did not make it to Jeanette Lake. I know the area is remote and nice but wondering about the campsites on that lake. Looking for BWCA Lite, no permits or portages but a BWCA like experience. Wondering if Jeanette or other similar places can provide that. Again, not to replace the BWCA, but in addition to the 1 or 2 trips I take every year.

BTW I highly recommend Astrid Lake as an option for an easy in trip of a few days with likely solitude, decent fishing and the luxury of a picnic table in camp and the option to bring fresh food and beverages of your choice without concern. No portages if you head in from the Hunting Shack River as we did.

Craig Lake State Park, UP.

This fellow might have some info for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuEkcz0MDus

I have paddled Jeanette many times and stayed at the remote sites twice. Some have picnic tables and the popular sites often have signs of fisherman camps (tarps, beer, ropes, trash..)
One time I camped in May and didn’t see anyone else for over 24 hours. The other time was in June and there were 6ish motorboats on the lake and several others camping at the remote sites.
It’s a good enough lake/experience and has many other options close by. Try it out. Or you could be campground host :)

We stayed at a real nice campsite on Jeanette last fall. Didn't really check any others out as we were happy with ours. Caught some walleyes, there were a few other boats. A low HP motorboat trolling by does nothing at all to offend my sensibilities. I rather like it. The occasional logging truck on the nearby road was the only noise that bothered me.

+1. A challenge to get into (horrible logging road for 7mi or so) but very remote and beautiful with good fishing and quiet.

bobbernumber3: "Craig Lake State Park, UP.
"

Sorry, the +1 above was for Craig Lake State Park

I've camped in the Jeannette campground and once at a remote site. Campground experience was fun - friends in another site, kids to wrangle. I guess expectations were different and I was not expecting a full BWCA-like trip. Another time, paddling solo to a remote site, I was frustrated by everything. Rocks everywhere leaving one small cramped brushy space to set up tent. Anglers that came and sat just off shore for long stretches. Yes, hum of motors, though if they simply passed by it would have been ok.

I dunno - I was crabby from it being extraordinarily HOT that May weekend, so maybe that colored my view. On the plus side was a nice rock shelf just at the campsite landing - great place to sit. Also nice hammock trees at water's edge.

I guess I'd try remote sites at Jeannette again on a WEEKDAY trip and see if it was any better. Or use the campground again and lower my expectations :)

Consider Ojibway and Triangle Lakes off the Fernberg. USFS land, not BW, one campsite each and Ojibway is deep enough to hold lakers. See McKenzie map section 17 or similar.

There are canoe routes on the Superior National Forest that are outside BWCA, require no permits but have campsites.
Example: Twin Lakes

Example: Island River

A phone call to a ranger station will get you the rest of the list. I think there are at least 6 of them.

Timber-Frear.

portagedog09: "Consider Ojibway and Triangle Lakes off the Fernberg. USFS land, not BW, one campsite each and Ojibway is deep enough to hold lakers. See McKenzie map section 17 or similar."

Triangle has two campsites

Thanks everyone for the comments and info. Sounds like Jeanette might be worth a shot at an offpeak time.

Anyone been to Johnson Lake near Voyagers NP?