BWCA Sylvania in May Boundary Waters Group Forum: Other Canoe Camping Locations
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Miketheflyguy1
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12/28/2014 03:56PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Ok I know, but I have not been able to get up there in 3 years. What are your thoughts of last may? What lake or camp site ? Looking for smallies and pike on a fly rod . Any advice ? Anyone going to be up there ?

Mike
 
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12/28/2014 07:13PM  
I generally get up there in May, but I don't have much input on fly fishing. Of course there are special regulations on fishing in Sylvania, all bass must be returned to the water immediately and Northern Pike, limit 1, must be over 30". Artificial lures only, which includes artificial flies.

Some campsites can be reserved ahead of time, so check the Sylvania site (soon). The most scenic site is on Loon Lake and it gets filled pretty early. Some other sites are filled on a first come first served basis. Usually, it's not too busy in May. But I like it cause the skeeters aren't voracious yet.
 
DrBobDg
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01/02/2015 10:11PM  
aren't there different regs on crooked lake?
 
DrBobDg
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01/02/2015 10:11PM  
 
DrBobDg
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01/02/2015 10:12PM  
 
Miketheflyguy1
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01/03/2015 08:24AM  
Yes, i think they are state regs listed in the book you get.
 
01/16/2015 02:16AM  
Going in late June. At this point you are already late on the rolling 6 month window. The preferred site seems to be Loon. Dang thing is nearly impossible to get.
 
Moonpath
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01/17/2015 01:40PM  
Mike, I have fished this area many years. Late May will be a good time for fly fishing the Sylvania. SM Bass will be on beds most likely unless the winter is very cold and the ice goes out late.

You will have competition. There are several groups of flyfishers who frequent this lake but many of them stay on Clark Lake and use float tubes and small pontoon boats. Flyfishing from a canoe takes patience.

The two best lakes are Loon and Deer Island. My advice is to camp in the regular campground and do day trips to the lakes. They are not that big. For instance, from Clark you can make Deer Island in about 2.5 hours. When the fish are on beds fishing early is not a big deal.

More and more people are fishing this area, compared to years ago. It is still a great fishery but be ready for seeing pretty many people. If you have more questions, let me know. Jerry G

 
Miketheflyguy1
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01/27/2015 07:07PM  
Just made reservations for May 18 -21 on Clark lake. I have never fished Clark. Any advice out there ?
 
Moonpath
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02/02/2015 02:48PM  
Mike, I have fished Clark many times. As you go up lake from the landing stay on lett side and fish the inside of bays and points. You will get hits and begin to see beds. If the fish are not on the beds look for old beds and fish deeper. You willl need at least one quarter ounce jigs to get down. Around islands is good if the wind is not up. You will come to a narrows that divides the lake into two sections. We have had luck just past the narrows on the right shore. This is actually a big pensula that eventually ends and you are in the main lake. Head torward the portage and fish this short both right and left of the portage. On the left is a huge beach. Bass often bed about 50 ' out fform shore. Look carefully and you should see beds. After fishing these areas we normally head to Loon from the portage. This is an easy portage and in my opinion Loon is the better lake. Once on Loon head toward the right shore. The left shore is too shallow and not very good. You will catch fish. JerryG
 
Miketheflyguy1
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02/02/2015 03:20PM  
Thanks. We usually stay on high lake. This year for my brothers first trip we decided to go to Clark. Thanks for the advice.
 
02/27/2015 08:34PM  
Clark is a nice lake to camp on. Great scenery and nice beaches. Better SMB fishing on Loon in my opinion, yes west side of lake is better. Getting over to mountain is also easily done. Have caught SMB and LMB on Mountain.

Good advice ref. the peninsula on Clark.
 
Miketheflyguy1
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03/09/2015 05:37PM  
How bad is the portage to loon. I have bulsam 2 for a site. Might want to do a day trip.
 
03/10/2015 10:12AM  
We didn't walk it, but my understanding is its flat and easy.
 
03/10/2015 10:42AM  
The portage from Clark to Loon isn't very tough. It's a bit of an uphill climb, but not difficult at all. If you've been on High Lake as you've indicated, it would be comparable in distance and grade to the portage from Clark to Loon.
 
03/11/2015 12:29PM  
Clark to Loon is like walking from a parking lot to the entry point in the BWCA. ;)

None of the portages are tough. Sand beach on each side.

 
vandolomeiu
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03/20/2015 07:43PM  
The portage from Clark to Loon is about a quarter of a mile. Up some railroad tie steps at first, then through a small meadow, then a gradual down slope for the rest of the portage. The meadow used to contain a house for one of the wealthy sportsmen who was a part owner of the tract before it was sold/given to be used as a park.

As you cross the meadow, you are crossing a continental divide. The rain that falls behind you ends up in Lake Superior and the rain that falls in front of you drains to the gulf of Mexico.

The portage into Deer Island from Loon is about the same length and I feel it is worth taking. The Smallies in Deer Island are not quite as big as those in Loon and not near as big as some in Clark but the number can't be beat.

I am a teacher and have been fortunate enough to head up to Sylvania two to four times every summer for the last 29 years. I also worked 13 years, part time in the fly shop at the Gurnee IL Bass Pro and used to give seminars on fly fishing Smallmouth in Quetico and Sylvania.

My go-to subsurface fly for the clear lakes in Sylvania is a Murdich Minnow. In late May through early June it should produce. Don't overlook small (#4 and #6) poppers over deep water.
 
03/21/2015 12:45AM  
Mike, I'll be up there may 15 & 16.
 
Moonpath
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05/01/2015 01:38PM  
Mike,the portage from Clark to Loon is easy. It is about 90+ rods. Uphill at first but then mainly downhill and a nice trail. It begins and ends on a beach. Loon is a better fishing lake normally than Clark, and quite a bit smaller. Very clear. When you cross the portage head to the right shore and fish up the lake. You will see beds everywhere. The left shore is too shallow. Good fishing.
 
05/01/2015 04:47PM  
I'll be going back after Memorial day. Surprised no mention of Whitefish Lake. I think it has better bassin' than Loon or Clark. I believe Orvis sponsors a flyfishing outing, have talked to several of the group who camp at the Clark Campground. All the portages are old resort trails/drives and easy to do. The whole area is doable as day trips from the Clark Lake campground. Check out the beach and pavilion north end of Clark, large shower building!
Have a ball up there Mike!

butthead
 
05/17/2015 10:23PM  
I was up the 15th, 16th, and 17th. Could see (good size) bass cruising the shallows on Clark, but no fish on. A few smallies on Mountain were starting to bed, though they were small compared to a few we caught. Combination of spinnerbaits and slowly presented plastics. Caught a few smallies and a few largemouth on Mountain. Seemed mighty early for them to start bedding.

Saw/caught no Lakers on Clark.

Overall fishing was very, very slow. Was disappointed, but that's how it goes.

Weather was good, Saturday it was in low 70's and since weather was stable the last few days with a change in the forecast for the next day I thought the bite would have been on. Fishermen on Crooked Lake gave a similar report of fishing success.

Always enjoy returning to Sylvania. It's a special place.

 
05/26/2015 10:40AM  
We just got back yesterday from 2 nights in Sylvania, and it was pretty quiet for a holiday weekend. We stayed on Mountain Lake and did a day loop around the eastern side. The mosquitoes were terrible, we didn't catch a single fish (although we didn't try very hard) and we got about 12 hours of rain. It was still a great time! I'll try to get up a trip report, but we didn't take tons of photos.

Note that the Crooked Lake road/boat ramp will be closed for the season starting around June 15, and I think the Clark Lake road will be closed for a couple days later this year.

 
05/26/2015 10:20PM  
Worst Mosquitos I've ever experienced was in sylvania. Scenes straight out of the Alaskan bush I tell you...
 
05/27/2015 03:09PM  
I'm not going until August, so post your experiences in May, June and July so I can dream some more...

:)
 
DrBobDg
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05/27/2015 06:51PM  
I Have found that going to places like that on holiday weekends...there aren't very big crowds.
dr bob
 
05/27/2015 10:13PM  
That's why we went - to avoid holiday crowds at other campgrounds. Last year, we went July 4th weekend.
 
07/04/2015 01:25AM  
quote Exo: "Worst Mosquitos I've ever experienced was in sylvania. Scenes straight out of the Alaskan bush I tell you..."


Just got back...and I agree. Campsites are deeper in the woods so no "wind-swept-point" to offer relief like a Bdub site. Headnet is a must. We actually paddled back out to purchase an item we needed and picked up a screen tent and chairs while we were at it. Way too much gear for a loop trip...but in Sylvania you base camp and we only had 1 portage. Best decision of the trip.
 
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