If you are willing to share, what is your favorite lake in the BWCA?

My favorite lakes in the BWCA are north of American Point.

I have to admit, my favorite lake in the BWCA is Takumich. Something almost spiritual about that lake. It just holds something over all the other lakes I have paddled and camped on.

Hard to pick one: Makwa, Tuscarora, Knife, Little Sag, Cherokee.

Agree with landofskytintedwaters, it's an ever evolving discussion.

I will say I recently became enamored with East Pike Lake.

Thunder Lake.

Favorite lake for what? I have a favorite lake for walleyes, a favorite lake for brook trout, a favorite lake for base camping, a favorite lake solitude, a favorite lake for scenery. My answer depends on what my goals of the trip is.

There are some beautiful lakes in the BWCA, but all of my favorites are in Quetico.

Jackfish: "There are some beautiful lakes in the BWCA, but all of my favorites are in Quetico."

+1

So far Polly, but I have a lot left to visit. Rose being a 2nd.

The one I'm on

Boulder. My two oldest daughters and I spent a night there during the middle of a 16-night trip. I think the lake adopted me and I yearn to return every year.

It always depends upon the memories, and I could mention quite a few. But every time it would still come back to:

Cherokee.

It would have to be Horseshoe, east gunflint. It was the 1st area my son and I explored when he was young. We'll be hitting consecutive year #25 next summer. Back in the day, Lizz/Swamp was one EP and Meeds was a separate EP. Wasn't quite as busy. From there, you can hit Vista and Gaskin with a portage. You can hit Winchell with one more portage. Moose country and great fishing!!!

We couldn’t put a fish in the boat to save our lives. But Wine was a beautiful lake.

Little Sag - It has a something for everyone - intimate, quiet back bays; wide open panoramic scenery; island sites; big water; cozy protected waters. It is not a casual BWCA traveller who can make it there in one day.

Mesaba Lake - Solitude abounds. You can get there in one day, but it requires 2 things: 1. A very early start. 2. A willingness to travel the 480rd. Lujenida/Zenith portage from the south or the 300rd. Fente/Hub Lake portage from the north. (I doubt you can make it there in one day from the north.)

Frost Lake - Golden Sand Beaches. Good chance to see moose. Solitude (mostly).

Finger Lake - Solitude, Pictographs,

My favorite lake is a Brookie lake with large trout. I will not name it. When I caught a few large fall trout in this lake I thought I was in heaven! Marc

I'm stuck on Crooked.

Since I'm the one who plans the trips, that's where we've been going the last three years.

Horseshoe Lake on the Gunflint Trail. Great entry points, Poplar is a great lake from which to leave and return, and the area is just so beautiful. I know of nowhere else that I have a moose walk by my camp through the shallow water 20 feet from where I am sleeping in a hammock every single night I’ve been to that eastern site on Horseshoe. Every. Single. Night.

The best!

bobbernumber3: "

Jackfish: "There are some beautiful lakes in the BWCA, but all of my favorites are in Quetico."

+1"

Did you read/understand the question in the original post???

I think it was just asking about BWCA, not favorite lake(s) in other areas. :)

TuscaroraBorealis: "

bobbernumber3: "

Jackfish: "There are some beautiful lakes in the BWCA, but all of my favorites are in Quetico."

+1"

Did you read/understand the question in the original post???

I think it was just ask"ing about BWCA, not favorite lake(s) in other areas. :)

I did read the original post. And I understood the OP was asking about the BWCA. I chose to post about Quetico..

Conversations wander. Some people get upset, it seems.

A lot of choices but the one that sticks out because of special memories and the overall beauty and solitude is Makwa. First time on it over 30 years ago and we were mesmerized by the feeling of being on a lake that not many have been to. And then when you start catching beautiful native lake trout that battle for all they are worth it's Makwa. My sons and grandsons have all caught lake trout on Makwa and they all say that of all the fish they catch in the BW - walleye, northern pike, smallies and lake trout - they love the fight and pulsating action of bringing in a lake trout. The SW most campsite is a great site on a favorite lake for us.

No one ever mentions the elephant in the room or the BWCA as the case may be. Basswood has a lot of nice sites on both sides of the border if you get far enough away from the motorized areas. Lots of inlets and islands to explore.
For a smaller lake in BWCA Ge-be-on-e-quet is good for solitude. Iron is interesting for some pretty cool waterfalls. I would have liked to stay on Jordan, it looked really nice, but all 3 sites were taken.
Horse lake is a favorite too, probably because the site we had was pretty awesome.

I wish it wasn't so hard to get to, and I know it isn't in BWCA but I really wish we could spend more time on Sarah in Quetico. Extremely clear water and I loved the site we stayed on.

I have enjoyed reading these posts. For me, my love of a lake depends more on my mood, the heat or cold rain, bugs, the campsite, etc. Some have clearer water than others, some have a side burned out from Pagami (and other) fires, some are dotted with islands and others have none. The wilderness is wonderful and I am thankful for all of the beautiful lakes in the BWCAW (and Quetico). Which child do you love the most?

That having been said, the night I spent on Beartrap by myself was so memorable. I was on the only campsite on the lake, it was a beautiful night, loons were serenading me, and some kind soul had left a wonderful load of split fire wood.

Dave

Crooked and Fairy for totally different reasons. But my real favorites are all north of border.