Ester Lake is Grandpa's favorite lake. He used to swim at the sand beach on the southeast side of the lake and climb the bluff on the northwest side back in the seventies. For his 75th birthday this upcoming summer, I'd like to bring him back to this special spot. I'd also like to go and see Benny Ambrose's home site and pay my respects.

I'm thinking I could kill all these birds with one stone if I could grab the campsite on Ottertrack right by the Ester portage. I know that campsite is hard to get sometimes, but I think it's still worth a shot...
I also have it on good authority that there is a walleye spot right in that area too

Does anyone else have any other fishing spots, scenic spots, etc. in the western Saganaga-Ottertrack-Ester area they'd like to share? I suspect we would take a tow boat to American Point, but paddle all the way back in if time allowed.

I have been through the area once before so I sorta know where things are.

quote SaganagaJoe: "Ester Lake is Grandpa's favorite lake. He used to swim at the sand beach on the southeast side of the lake and climb the bluff on the northwest side back in the seventies. For his 75th birthday this upcoming summer, I'd like to bring him back to this special spot. I'd also like to go and see Benny Ambrose's home site and pay my respects.

I'm thinking I could kill all these birds with one stone if I could grab the campsite on Ottertrack right by the Ester portage. I know that campsite is hard to get sometimes, but I think it's still worth a shot...
I also have it on good authority that there is a walleye spot right in that area too

Does anyone else have any other fishing spots, scenic spots, etc. in the western Saganaga-Ottertrack-Ester area they'd like to share? I suspect we would take a tow boat to American Point, but paddle all the way back in if time allowed.

I have been through the area once before so I sorta know where things are. "

At the right time of year, Ester is a SOLID , SOLID lake.

Ashdick is an easy portage to other stellar fishing.

All the humps on Ottertrack are pretty stellar too. I'd license up for Quetico and US and fish those humps and reefs on both sides of the lake for about 1 mile from monument portage......

Hey GeoFisher, where can I find fish on Ester (if you want to share)? I know I've seen photos of massive lake trout pulled out of that lake. Any pike or walleye, and what bait works best there? Grandpa has never had much luck there. And yes Ashdick is a largemouth lake.

And when you say the "humps," are you referring to the small island type things near Monument Portage but before Ester? I do know of at least one spot that matches that description:

quote SaganagaJoe: "Hey GeoFisher, where can I find fish on Ester (if you want to share)? I know I've seen photos of massive lake trout pulled out of that lake. Any pike or walleye, and what bait works best there? Grandpa has never had much luck there. And yes Ashdick is a largemouth lake.


And when you say the "humps," are you referring to the small island type things near Monument Portage but before Ester? I do know of at least one spot that matches that description:


"

Yep......I've caught some decent fish there, and there are some deeper ones further in the lake.

With regards to Ester, there are some nice lakers. The deepest part of the lake are by that cliff you was talkin about :) That hole is nice, but to be honest I've not caught any lakers in Ester. For Lakers in that area, I like to go to rabbit......they are all small eaters, but that is what I like....EATERS.

I've also not done too well on Walleye in Ester either, but I've pounded the smallies there. I've had multiple 100 fish days there. It just depends on the season. If they are getting close to spawn or just after spawn, all the laydowns along the lake are solid for sticking some fish. Zulu's or similar soft plastics, and texas rigged craws on the lightest weight you can get away with was the ticket for us....

Anyone else have anything they'd like to share? I'm all ears.

checkout my site.......there are a ton of my first few trips to Ester and Area.

Later,

Geo

I'd aim for the camps on Ester Lake over that one camp on Ottertrack. I'd say the camp on the east end near the portage to Ester on Ottertrack is just OK. With a tow to American Point you can be on Ester easily by early afternoon.

My opinion is better fishing on Ester and Hanson vs Ottertrack and if you set up a basecamp on Ester you essentially have 2 lakes to fish and explore without having to portage at all.

Love the beach area you mentioned. Beautiful place. I would slow down and fish a little in Swamp as you go through. We trolled Ester in August, to no avail, but due to windy conditions we didn't get to fish the lake that well.

Bump.

Hey Kiporby, are there any walleyes to be had on Hanson or Ester and can you share where (if you are so inclined)? I've never heard of Ester as a fishing lake and Grandpa has never done well fishing there either.

I haven't ever heard of folks catching walleyes in hanson or ester. Bass, pike and lakers from my experience and tales from others. Walleyes on ottertrack and SAK and Cherry Lake.

Bump. This is funny - went to google Ottertrack Lake area and my thread was one of the first options.

I've been out of the BWCA too long and may try to get out to this area this coming year. I may attempt to do this as a first solo trip as well. The hardest thing is going to be finding the time to do it.

Anyone have any advice or tips to share, fishing or non-fishing?

By the way, I did make it to Ester Lake with Grandpa in August 2016.

Cherry Lake is absolutely beautiful. If you can make it up there, do. I have also heard that Lake of the Clouds is worth getting to as well. I didn't get there unfortunately during my stay on Cherry in September but I will try in the future. Fishing was not good on Knife or Cherry during mid September.

By the way, I did make it to Ester Lake with Grandpa in August 2016. "



How did the trip go Bringing Grampa in? You guys catch any fish?

Cretbo: "


By the way, I did make it to Ester Lake with Grandpa in August 2016. "

How did the trip go Bringing Grampa in? You guys catch any fish? "

We ended up base camping on Second Bay and day tripped in to Ester. It went very well, we had good weather and had a good time. Views were gorgeous. Fishing not so much, I think between the two of us we got only one or two bass, but that trip wasn't about the fish.