We're heading in at the Sawbill EP in a few days. The plan is to head to Wine for some trout, but I'm wondering if there is anything worth fishing for in the smaller lakes around it? There's a chance we could head up towards Mesaba as well, so would Hug or Zenith have anything worth fishing for?

We went up that way last June, spent the 17th & 18th on Zenith and 19th & 20th on Wine. We had absolutely so luck fishing, not more than a few nibbles the whole time. I surmised that being so high up the watershed, there just aren't many/any fish of size in those lakes. We aren't the most experienced at Northwoods fishing but the total lack of action was surprising.

We ended up staying on Wine from June 19-21, and our luck was identical to yours - didn't catch anything. Brought a fish finder, and could see the trout hanging out on the edges of the deep holes between 25-35 feet, but nothing was biting. Had a few play with the lures, but that was it. From the finder, it looked like the water heated up a few degrees in the time we were there, so that could have some effect on it too. Just have to go earlier in the season next time!