Headed to Fish Stake Narrows on LLC later this summer and wanted to get some feedback from those who have been in the last couple of years. We are told by the outfitter that it is a great trip (although they all are) with good fishing, great scenery, plenty of campsites, and low volume of people. The biggest thing that concerns me is the possible noise of boats or planes on the Canadian side. Anyone have comments on the area or advice to give? Much appreciated.

98% quiet. Helicopter flew by daily around 5:00PM. Very loud. Planes are distant and faint...hardly noticed. Camped on Island
past narrows for two days. Very nice. Occasional through traffic.

We had a guy cut through FSN with his power boat on the way back to the reservation on the Canadian side of LLC. I guess it's a shortcut versus going north around Coleman island. That is illegal but you can't let that sort of thing bother you too much - what are you supposed to do about it? We heard planes too but again, not much you can do about it. At least those unmanned drones the Border Patrol is now running are silent.

I couldn't catch anything but pike in FSN, but they were pretty good size, low to mid 30 inches. Cold front shut down fishing the day before. This was in early September.

Beautiful area.

How was the fishing when you were there?

Bring a good camera and photo the idiots in power boats taking the short cut. I hated seeing it when we camped in fishstake narrows

Did anyone spend time in any of the interior lakes in that area...like Lady Boot Lake? We are looking to take day trips...if the boats annoy me too much we may move our base camp to one of these smaller lakes. I love not hearing anything but nature, so I am a little anxious about hearing motors. Our outfitter convinced us it was worth it.

You might hear 2 motors a day..

Try it out. I think you'll love it.

Lady Boot is actually just a bay, not a separate lake. Toe is a private little lake. Only one campsite though. May be tough getting it.

We also saw a motorboat go through last August and most campsites were occupied close to FSN. Fishing Toe Lake is worth the portage.

Thanks to all who responded. We will be leaving Ohio in exactly 2 months!

We came through there last spring, camped one night just west of FSN due to wind. On our way down to Boulder Bay next day had one motor boat pass us. I didn't hear any planes or helicopters, but then I wouldn't unless they landed next to me.

We were camped on Coleman Island one night (8 or 9 years ago?)and it stormed big time. A ranger in a power boat came to check on us in the morning; we were fine, but it was a welcome sight to me. 8" of rain that night and high winds. We heard a few other far-off boats and planes, but I actually find those sounds to be "up-north" sounds as well.
We did good on pike and smallies, one walleye off camp on a slip bobber. Husky jerks on weed edges were money for pike.

I've only been through there in late Sept.
It was very quiet then.

Was at FSN on Wednesday last week. Saw one motorboat and one plane. It would take alot more than that to make me choose another area if I really wanted the other benefits of being there.

SteveB, since you were just there, I have a few questions that hopefully you have time to answer :-)

How was the fishing?

Which campsite did you stay at and will it support a party of 8?

Did you go in at EP16?

We went in at EP16. Stayed at 1819 on Boulder Bay, but would have taken 1820 if it had been open. Either will hold your large party but 1820 is better protected from the wind IMO. Site #170 across from the pictographs is a really nice site, too, but could be a little tight.
We day-tripped up to FSN.
Fishing was good in the area but esp. in and around Never Fail Bay. Lots of large SMB and good NP. Used mainly SR7's in silver and blue, silver or gold Rat-L-traps or power worms for the smallies. Walleyes did well on the SR7's and rat-l-traps in Boulder Bay.

Also went to Oyster for part of a day for trout but got skunked using deep tail dancers and weighted and unweighted SR7's and 9's. We murdered them on the same thing last year. Go figure.

Hope this helps. Maybe the wind will be better for your group...

Thanks for the response. We are going mid-august. The plan is to stay in FSN. We hope to be someone protected from the wind by the islands...and since it will be summer hopefully the wind and storms will be minimal.

Do you know how long it took you from EP16 to Boulder? I am planning to get a very early start and hope to make camp by mid afternoon the first night in Boulder or Tiger...other posters have indicated that this should not be a problem, but I am always interested in additional data.

We left EP16 at 6:15am and were at camp by 11:15 doing 1-1/2 trip portaging on the longer ones and regular double portaging on the 20ish yard ones. You could be at FSN by about 1:30 IF the weather cooperates and you want to get that far on the first day. We took the 115 rod out of the northeast side of Agnes into the Boulder River rather than the 2 short portages into BB. Don't think it took much longer at all and was FAR easier than dealing with the two shorter, harder ones.

Excellent! Thank you.

THANKS for the excellent info, Steve! Heading in on 7/17 with a scout group and the info is MUCH appreciated.

Tight lines, calm waters to ya!
Bryan

quote Blitzen: "THANKS for the excellent info, Steve! Heading in on 7/17 with a scout group and the info is MUCH appreciated.


Tight lines, calm waters to ya!
Bryan"

Have fun! Wish I could go back already! If you fish the small bay NNW of Never Fail, bring black or purple Power Worms. Some amazing SMB there on the rocky, western shoreline. Nice and calm on a windy day, too.

Could someone please educate me on the motors and their shortcut through Fish Stake Narrows? Does the Canadian side of LLC allow motors or something? If so, would camping on the site on Toe Lake be a good second option, or perhaps Lady Boot Bay? We are gunning for Fish Stake Narrows this summer but not if there are motors nearby.

I believe that Fish Stake narrows are clearly on the USA side of the channel and that part of LLC. If you are truly wanting to "get away" consider Kelsey Lake or as you said Lady Boot. We have had several good experiences in Lady Boot. Or, check out Never Fail Bay, Tiger or Boulder Bays - We have not had any issues with motor boats in any of these areas.

quote CityFisher74: "Could someone please educate me on the motors and their shortcut through Fish Stake Narrows? Does the Canadian side of LLC allow motors or something? If so, would camping on the site on Toe Lake be a good second option, or perhaps Lady Boot Bay? We are gunning for Fish Stake Narrows this summer but not if there are motors nearby."

The Canadian side of LLC allows motors. They are illegal in US waters of LLC --except South of Snow Bay which is way on the other side of LLC from FSN. There shouldn't be motors in FSN,, but some people think they are above the law and it means nothing to them. Very little enforcement or man power to enforce.

Wow, this is great information I had not known that LLC allowed motors on the Canadian side - that seems strange to me. Even Tiger Bay or Boulder Bay could potentially see some motor use. Not sure if this will be a deal breaker for us but it will be great to know before heading there!! Fish Stake and Lady Boot area seem worth the risk of running into a boat or two.

The direct line to Bottle Portage will see a few motorboats ferrying folks there from Zups or Crane Lake. the further away from that line, the less impact you will feel from them. we camped near tiger Bay and could see a glimpse to them and could hear them if the wild was light and in the correct direction, North/northeast. we did not consider that much of an intrusion, but some would never want that at all.

Reviving an old thread because I'm heading in a little over a week from now. I'm interested in the Native American and voyageur history. Already have some reasonable fishing intel on the area and I'm looking forward to wetting a line in there.