Six guys looking to do a 6-day loop. Prefer most river routes, but want to do significant fishing. Have all been before, but base camped every time. Wanting to move to see more of the area, but will still go fairly heavy.

Thought about a tow to iron lake and do day trips from there. Suggestions?

Late September

The US side of Iron Lake burned up this year, along with most of the Stuart and Beartrap rivers. Campsites were difficult to get on Iron before the fire and I'm sure it won't be easier now with some of the campsites nuked. That's a lot of moolah, too.

I'd look at the Island River or the Granite River.
1. Enter Island River or Isabella Lake, make two camps between there and a Snake River exit. Plenty of walleye-filled river to explore and only short portages. If you want more of a challenge and to move more often, maybe enter at Hog Creek and exit at Island River or Snake River. This area burned in 2011 but is recovering wonderfully. The rivers here flow from east to west.
2. Enter Saganaga with a tow up to Saganaga Falls, camp on Maraboeuf, fish a day or two, move camp to Larch or Clove, fish another day or two, exit Larch Creek or Gunflint. You could do it in reverse and get a tow across Gunflint to start, or maybe even line up a tow across Sag for your exit. I suggest VCO for outfitting duties but you can't go wrong up there. This area burned in 2007 so the hammock trees are 4 years bigger than the ones down by Isabella. This river flows to the north but you don't have to worry about current as much.

Thanks, sounds like the area we always base camp ( fish stake narrows/ lady boot) probably was extremely burned also

Thanks, sounds like the area we always base camp ( fish stake narrows/ lady boot) probably was extremely burned also

If you are doing the Island River here is a tip. The campsites have been there forever for a reason. In front of each one is a hole you can catch walleyes. Jig & minnow or slip bobber from camp, it is that easy. I was there when it was all burnt out 10 years ago. I have a few more stories about that trip but I’ve told them before. Good fishing go for it.

STClairbound: "Thanks, sounds like the area we always base camp ( fish stake narrows/ lady boot) probably was extremely burned also"

Not extremely. The fire burned the far north shore of LBB and jumped across to the south at FSN but then barely made it to Kelsey. We haven't seen any reports as to how devastating it was in these parts either. Check out the map here on bwca.com.