Hi all,
Our crew of 6 is headed up the 2nd week of September for a week with the plan to basecamp on the east side of SAK (campsite 2041 is the current goal) and explore/fish the PMA and lakes in the area. Looking for any campsite, day trip, and fishing recommendations. Also I know this is a fairly busy area, but curious to other's experience in September with the amount of people.

Yeah definitely is a beautiful area with very clear water! Fire is closing in that area right now so you might have to see how this plays out as SAK is taking a hit. Hopefully Eddy Falls can survive then id suggest going there forsure, some big fish lurking.

Mid-September has become the new August in terms of crowd pressure. Seagull sites will probably be fully occupied as you paddle past them.

FWIW, I’ve paddled on Sag in flurries at that time of year and also recorded 82° at Blankenburg on a Sept. 30, so nobody can tell you what weather to expect. ;-)

We just camped at 2041 2 weeks ago! Hoping the fires are out and you get to explore this beautiful area.

Great site- good fishing right in that bay right next to camp. There were loons feeding there our whole stay. Near the islands just southwest of camp, we caught abundant smallmouth and walleyes. This was end of June/ Early July, but I hope you get the same fishing we had!

We did a day trip around up Hanson, Cherry, Topaz, and then back through SAK, and that was beautiful. We didn't fish- carrying rods on some of those portages would be tough- but I have heard great stories of lakers. We did find some of those in SAK.

Kek is also a great day trip and can have great fishing.

Hoping the fires subside soon and don’t do too much damage. Looks like they may have touched this area a little as of today. Thanks for the info!

I really love this area and have been through several times. I'd recommend a day trip to thunder point and climb up to the top for an awesome view. Best fishing I have had on Knife was along the south shore along the border between the amoeber portage and the portage to Ottertrack. Unfortunately this is right where the fire is burning.

We spent a night at the 2040 campsite. That afternoon we paddled by 2041 and took time to explore Toe Lake - seems like prime Moose habitat and I think if one were to get in there in the morning or evening there would be a good chance to see a Moose.

That all said, depending on the fire situation you may want to switch to an Ogishkemuncie campsite. 2329, 785, and 786 are all nice campsites with great daytrip options both North (Eddy Fall, SAK) and South (Mueller Falls, Kekekabic hiking trail, Little Saganaga)

Cricket67: "That all said, depending on the fire situation you may want to switch to an Ogishkemuncie campsite. 2329, 785, and 786 are all nice campsites with great daytrip options both North (Eddy Fall, SAK) and South (Mueller Falls, Kekekabic hiking trail, Little Saganaga)"

Fire has now reached Ogish:

"Gunflint District Ranger Kyle Stover told WTIP on Wednesday that additional Forest Service firefighting resources are being deployed to Cook County to respond to the Little Knife Fire. The Forest Service also plans to add two public information officer staff members who will assist with communication and information coordination.

"On Wednesday afternoon, the wildfire is primarily moving in from north to south, Stover said. The Little Knife Fire has burned as far south as Ogishkemuncie Lake in Lake County, approximately four miles from the western edge of Seagull Lake."

Forest Service adds firefighting resources to Little Knife Fire response near end of Gunflint Trail

I did a similar route last September 10-16ish. Wasn't incredibly busy, definitely saw people but a lot of sites were still open.

+1 on Cherry and Kekekabic for daytrips. Both are great areas, site 1424 on Kek is a great spot to stop and have lunch.

I'll be in this area mid-Sept too. If you see a guy wearing a tan flying moose cap in a white Jensen say what's up.

Hoping the fires subside by then.

WhitePine1: "We just camped at 2041 2 weeks ago! Hoping the fires are out and you get to explore this beautiful area.


Great site- good fishing right in that bay right next to camp. There were loons feeding there our whole stay. Near the islands just southwest of camp, we caught abundant smallmouth and walleyes. This was end of June/ Early July, but I hope you get the same fishing we had!

We did a day trip around up Hanson, Cherry, Topaz, and then back through SAK, and that was beautiful. We didn't fish- carrying rods on some of those portages would be tough- but I have heard great stories of lakers. We did find some of those in SAK.

Kek is also a great day trip and can have great fishing. "

Based on the recent closure updates, looks like the fire did not impact too many sites in this area and all the sites on SAK are open! It will be cool to see the impact the fire has had. How are the hammock camping options on 2041? Are there better options on SAK for hammock camping?

colecudd: "

WhitePine1: "We just camped at 2041 2 weeks ago! Hoping the fires are out and you get to explore this beautiful area.



Great site- good fishing right in that bay right next to camp. There were loons feeding there our whole stay. Near the islands just southwest of camp, we caught abundant smallmouth and walleyes. This was end of June/ Early July, but I hope you get the same fishing we had!


We did a day trip around up Hanson, Cherry, Topaz, and then back through SAK, and that was beautiful. We didn't fish- carrying rods on some of those portages would be tough- but I have heard great stories of lakers. We did find some of those in SAK.


Kek is also a great day trip and can have great fishing. "

Based on the recent closure updates, looks like the fire did not impact too many sites in this area and all the sites on SAK are open! It will be cool to see the impact the fire has had. How are the hammock camping options on 2041? Are there better options on SAK for hammock camping? "

There were numerous hammock spots back into the woods a bit. Lots of open space between the trees. I would say the site further east would not be as good for hammock camping- but that is just from shore. So glad you will get to enjoy this beautiful area!

Although Whitepine1 said they did good on fishing around campsite 2041 , i would not stay/camp in that deadend bay in sept. more closer to a wider spot in the SAK . IMO ,