Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Bourassa Lake? Just west of Gun
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BassmasterP |
P |
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marsonite |
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boonie |
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BassmasterP |
Has anyone attempted to visit this lake? Maps show a creek flowing through it connecting it to Eugene on one side a LLC on the other. None of my BWCA books even mention this lake.! I am seriously considering a bushwhack adventure but was hoping someone here could tell me if we'd be doing nothing but fighting our way in to a shallow boggy pond. Thanks. P |
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cyclones30 |
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BassmasterP |
We have always gone in mid-August to September but have managed to find a few shallow areas that hold big smallmouth and easy to fish deeper areas that hold lake trout averaging about 5 pounds. Last September we caught over 20 lake trout in about 30 minute (3 guys) with the biggest being around 12 pounds. On another spot - for the second yer in a row - we pulled in six 15"+ SM from one VERY little hole, in a matter of minutes. And then (and I know this sounds too good to be true)...on our favorite Brent spot...one of our guys pulled in 3 SM, back-to-back-to back @ 22", 22" and 24". He honestly didn't even understand how big those fish were! Keeping my fingers crossed for the border to be open, for obvious reasons! Thanks, Pat |
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Voyager |
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Voyager |
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BassmasterP |
Day 1: Snow Bay to campsite on LLC Just North of Gun Day 2: Day trip to Trygg but remain on LLC Day 3: Move to Beartrack through Gun (short trips as we fish hard all day) Day 4: Move to Fat Day 5: Hang out on Fat Day 6: Exit Fat West through unmarked portage and move to Little Loon Day 7: Move to Lower Pauness Day 8: Paddle out Somewhere in there we might bushwhack in to Bourassa. But...I'm beginning to think that if the fishing were good there would be a portage. Most of the "secret" spots we have discovered in Quetico are along a well established routes but in lakes, or small bays, that are passed by during normal point-to-point travel. I'd consider divulging such information in exchange for similar sweet spots along or near the route mentioned above. Thanks for the input. While I am really bummed that we likely can't enjoy the freedom of the Quetico wilderness, the BWCA should fill in nicely, especially for the first-timers - they won't know what they're missing, anyway. We are hammock campers that set up camp pretty much where ever we are when 3pm arrives. The idea of being restricted to a designated campsite with a toilet is pretty crazy. But...in the BW's defense - the format allows a lot more people to use the area - and if you ask any outfitter...young folks just aren't getting out anymore. The average age of clientele, according to the few I've used is somewhere in the ballpark of 55 to 70. Used to be 30 - 55 20 years ago. Anyway...I'm rambling now. Thanks everyone. Tight Lines, P |
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cyclones30 |
I'd think your Bourassa would have fish as it almost looks connected to LLC and/or other lakes. |
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sns |
LLC was great - you are likely eyeing sites north of Gun we either stayed at or stopped to inspect...all pretty nice. Fishing for SMB and Pike was good on LLC; can circle a few bays on a map for you where we really got into the smallies. There's a really sweet site on Gun too. I liked Fat lake a lot, and we caught a few small lakers, but the second time through the campsite was occupied. Have a plan B for that possibility. The hidden Fat-Slim portage is as advertised, and now that the undergrowth is leafed-in, there will be a couple spots where you may need to hunt around for the trail - there are a couple of 90 degree turns that took me by surprise that may be easy to overshoot, but it should only take a few steps to realize you are not on the trail. Towards the west end there's a short but steep descent through some boulders that can be challenging with 17 feet of canoe on your head. We singled it (twice, 6 days apart) in about 30-35 minutes (carry time), but those were ass-kickers. Went through Beartrack, and I could be wrong as we did not fish it, but I suspect that lake is fish-free. Just looked sterile. Maybe someone else can chime in. An alternative to Bourassa might be Contentment. There is a steep but totally doable unmaintained portage from Thumb to Contentment. Contentment is isolated, scenic and great fishing if you like hammerhandle pike on every other cast. Our real bummer was the plan to lay-up at the Devil's Cascade or the Pauness lakes...only to find all the sites occupied. Had to keep going and exit a day early. Probably (hopefully) not an issue midweek...we were exiting Memorial Day weekend, so perhaps the crowds will be less for you. Like you we were only there because the border is closed. Have fun! |