I'm looking for some more suggestions for day trips or cool things to see out of Stuart lake. My group has decided to base camp, which is very different from our usual 50+ mile trips. So far I have these couple, but knowing my group they will want to explore the area thoroughly. We are in for seven days, two of which are travel days to get in and out.

Early August, because I know water level will be a factor.
-daytrip to Nibon/Bibon
-hike to the overlook
-check out the Dahlgren portage
-daytrip/overnight to Rush or Iron
-check out Batista (looking for more info on whether it is accessible)

If it's hot take a soak in the falls. There is a nice pool with almost chair-like rock features under the main falls and a nice upper pool above the main falls that was nice to relax in on a hot day.

Could always just push to Iron on day 2 or 3. It's a a long way out but you could go from Iron back through Moose River N on the way back. Leave one car there. Stuart is a nice little lake but you kind of are stuck in there.

I'd make a day trip to Iron for either fishing or to see Rebecca Falls or Curtain Falls. I did make a trip to Warrior Hill once, but that was before 9/11.

Push through nibbon and bibbon and check out sterling for a day trip. Its a very unique lake.

I've done Iron from there in a day. It was fun. I've never gone to Nibon/Bibon but I've always been intrigued...

You could check out the Dahlrgren portage which I hear is beautiful to walk but the float from there on the river sounds less than delightful. Especially in late summer with lower water levels.

Looks like Batista would be an adventure not many have written about. I have only read where people hike in, no canoe. You should add Boulder Bay (the river section of LLC) that the Dahlgren portage takes you into to your daytrip options. I have seen Moose in that area and it is scenic. Many groups head up to LLC to the NW and miss this area. There is also a ranger cabin at the North side of the 67-rod portage that connects LLC to LLC North-Northeast of the Dahlgren Portage that is neat to check out.

Day trips from there will be a big time commitment since it takes some effort to get anywhere really. Definitely doable though. If you went somewhere every day you'd get very familiar with the Dahlgren River and the series of lakes between Iron and Stuart. Not familiar with going east to Nibbon, Bibbon, etc but I'm pretty sure it's gnarly. Personally I'd consider these:

1. Up to Iron, take Bottle Portage over to LLC, Boulder Bay/River to Dahlgren River and back to Stuart. (either direction).
**If you did decide to move camp a little bit, this is the loop I'd do.
2. Day trip to Curtain Falls (Iron/Crooked Lake portage)
**Don't skip the lower portage...I barely avoided dumping.
3. Try to catch some of those massive crappies in Agnes.
4. Explore further into Lac la Croix and/or Iron.

Boulder River is pretty cool. I don't remember Dahlgren River eight years ago, but I do remember the portage out of Stuart being lovely. I remember the effort to get to Iron from Stuart being greater than the effort from Stuart to Boulder Bay and Agnes. Water levels played a role, I suppose.

I know you didn't ask, but for that amount of time, I'd really consider moving a bit to enjoy Iron and LLC in the golden hours. That being said, last time I was at Stuart, we intended to do a five-night loop. Each morning we caught walleye from camp, ate them for breakfast, and wondered why we were even considering moving camp (fishing's a big part of our trips). We day tripped instead.

Jeez I wrote a lot. I guess I love that area.

Sterling Lake is nice. Saw a big bull moose, caught a walleye. Trails are pretty easy to find. Used to be a rock cairn at the start of the route at Stuart.

Thanks for all your input! Personally, I wouldn't mind moving a day or two, but the boys want a break from traveling every day. They may decide after day 2 on stuart that they want to get moving again, who knows? Just want options available in case they get squirrely!
The suggestion to push to Sterling is one I am highly considering, and I may even look into booking the PMA permit for a night or two. We have a team meeting in March so I will present the idea to the group!
Thanks again for all the suggestions.

We did this trip last year. Got the PMA for sterling and spent a couple nights on stuart, a night on sterling, then back to stuart for a night, then out. Its a little rugged to sterling but worth it. Kind of breaks the Basecamp up but you get some relaxation in as well.

For a day trip that does not require a lot of energy, I would suggest taking the Dahlgren River to Lac La Croix Portage. I would stop at that point, look/fish the rapids and have lunch. The Dahlgren Portage itself I could spend hours on. The river itself is beautiful, an easy paddle, and the mouth of the river is a great destination. The portage into Lac La Croix is more than a day trip to me.
You could also check out the small creek opening that leads to Batista on the way, much like you will see going into Contest Lake on the way to Stuart. I spent several hours one May in higher water trying to make it to Batista and I failed. I was on a solo day trip from basecamp on Stuart and didn't feel the risk was worth the reward with it getting so late in the day. Looks much easier on the map than in real life!