Narrowed our winter destination to these two lakes. Where would you choose and why?

Is this Wind Lake or Wind Bay? Must be lake as I see now you did state lakes.
I've done a few winter camping trips in the BDub but that was years ago. The one thing I recall is that we were catching northerns left and right on Wind Bay. I don't know what fishing is like on Wind Lake, I've only been there once and that was to cross it in the winter. Anyway, long answer short, if you are going to fish for northerns, go to Wind Bay. I did it once and my brother has done it many times and always had good luck ice fishing it. Times could have changed though. I would also pick Wind Bay as I like to have one lake between me and the entry point lake when I go in. I suppose it wouldn't matter in the winter though.

Motdur,
If I remember right, I don't think entry point 36 is plowed during the winter. You many want to check into that or get a snowmobile or plan on hiking further then origionally planned.
I would guess though that entry point 25 is plowed. So, maybe that answers your question regarding where to go.

quote Minnesotian: "
Motdur,
If I remember right, I don't think entry point 36 is plowed during the winter. You many want to check into that or get a snowmobile or plan on hiking further then origionally planned.
I would guess though that entry point 25 is plowed. So, maybe that answers your question regarding where to go."

Hey Minnesotian...Parent with an "A" is out of Snowbank, entry point 27. Common mistake. Both 25 and 27 are usually plowed. I believe you are correct that Perent is not open.

Ah ha! You are correct, sir.

Question for you, in your search for information have you come across dog sled routes? I am trying to avoid them if possible or at least be aware of them.
I have found sled routes running through Moose to Basswood and I think up to Knife. And one that starts at Snowbank and goes to Thomas. Any others you have found? I think the one that starts on Moose will go through Wind Lake.

I had the same initial thoughts as fitgers1 but then I realized, you might not be fishing. Wind lake would be great for winter camping imo. For bigger fish you could day trip into wind bay.

Fishing is not our main goal. A few tip-ups here and there. How would the portage from Moose to Wind be?

Haven't been to Wind (summer or winter) but my first winter camping trip a few years ago was to Parent. We didn't do any fishing on that trip, but we had a nice camp and did some snowshoeing on a trail on one side of the lake. Took a nice day trip to Disappointment to look at the "mountain." Winter travel across the portage from Snowbank was easy.

Moose to Wind lake is usually traveled in the winter and is not too bad. You do have some ups and down in the hills going across. probably a couple of rest stops. Usually somebody has gone before you and it should be hard packed when you cross. If your the first to cross it after a big snow it can be a little work.
One thing is from the Moose lake landing to the beginning of the beginning of the portage is probably less than a hour to get there. You should have plenty of energy to make it over the portage. I have friends who ski into wind bay on Basswood and come back out the same day with a light sled load.
I camped on Wisini to the south one March winter.

Parent lake would be a flatter portage. Some people go thru Parent lake when going to Thomas in the winter.