I'm taking my second winter trip (hot-tenting). I didn't organize the first trip I went on so this is my first attempt planning a winter trip (I've been on 30 other bwca trips).

My criteria is basically heading in no more than 3-4 miles, somewhere we could get jumped in the car battery is dead when we come out, and somewhere we could day day trips. We'll be snow-shoeing.

My two options (I'd consider others) are heading in Sawbill and going to Burnt, Smoke or Flame, or heading into Horseshoe through Poplar (likely trying to park at Trail Center and going in via Swamp. I'm a little more wary of ice conditions for Horseshoe, but I have no experience in winter either area.

Any thoughts?

Here's another option that meets your criteria. Trip report

The Horseshoe trip- The ice is fine, just stay close to shore near the flowage out of Caribou into Horseshoe , the narrows in Horseshoe going to Allen stay on the north side and go through the Cedars as the ice never gets thick enough to travel on. Stay to the east side as you go through the narrows at the split to Vista and North Brule split.
Swamp lake usually has slush issues.