best boundary waters fishing trips

Prove It First: Commonsense Protection For The Boundary Waters & Lake Superior.  Take Action

The Challenge and Thrill of Boundary Waters Fishing

April 28, 2023 Recreation By Stuart Osthoff

Tips and Tricks on how to catch trout, walleyes, smallmouth bass and northern pike.

Most people will tell you they go to the BWCA to escape the rat race- the noise, traffic and stress of modern urban life.

But wilderness canoe trips should be about more than escaping the negative. They should be about embracing the positive, what I call wilderness values: Beauty, solitude, freedom, adventure and challenge are all essential parts of the wilderness experience.

Perhaps the most powerful wilderness value is engaging with nature.

This could be photographing a moose, picking blueberries, swimming off your own private sand beach, portaging neck-deep through a bog, paddling into the teeth of a big wind, or awakening on a moonlit night to loon music out on the lake. For about 40% of BWCAW paddlers, the most intense way to engage nature comes through fishing.

The beauty, power and wildness of the canoe country Grand Slam- smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and lake trout, allows anglers to transcend the ordinary canoe trip.

Wilderness fishing

There is fishing and there is wilderness fishing. 

In the BWCAW and Quetico wilderness areas , there are no roads, cabins or floatplanes and even small motorboats are restricted to the periphery lakes. We’re talking hundreds of backcountry lakes accessible only by canoe and with what I call sweat equity: You gotta pay the piper with paddle and pack to reach these waters that see relatively light fishing pressure each year. 

If you’re willing to do this, you won’t have to do much to experience world-class angling. 

I refer to catching the four “big-game” fish species in canoe country, Lake trout, walleyes, smallmouth bass and northern pike, the grand slam of wilderness fishing.

Grand slam, trophy caliber fish are caught all across canoe country every year. The challenge and thrill of chasing top-end fish is out there for the hard-core, dedicated angler. Other more casual anglers who are happy with a few pan-sized walleyes for a special lakeside dinner. 

Whether fishing for trophies or a wilderness meal, here are some tips to help you add some excitement and drama to your next wilderness canoe trip.In this piece, I’m going to take you through the essential tips and tricks to catch these four fish. With this knowledge, you be more likely to land a…

Lake Trout in the Boundary Waters

Best time of year: Ice out to mid-June in 20 to 40 feet of water. From July to August, fish in deeper water, of over 50 feet.

Best tackle: Large spoons such as Dardevles or Dr. Spoons; Klos Bay’s lipless crank baits

Favorite locations: Deep water spots in trout lakes such as Lac La Croix, Oyster, Knife, Kekekabic, Thomas, Little Saganaga, Wine, Gillis and Hanson.

They say timing is everything in life and that includes fishing. 

My favorite time to fish big canoe country lake trout is when they are shallow from ice-out to mid-June. For years, my standard technique was to troll large spoons- Dardevles or Dr. Spoons, and we caught some nice lakers this way. 

But more recently, the Klos Boy’s lipless crankbaits (LCB’S) have been a total game changer for big Boundary Waters lake trout. The Klos LCB’s can be fished on a standard walleye/bass outfit. Just let the heavy 1 oz. plug, sink to the bottom and vertically jig it as the canoe drifts with the wind. In calm conditions, you can cast the Klos LCB out, let it sink to the bottom and then jig/work it back to the canoe as lakers will often suspend and hit it up off the bottom as well.

Where and when to catch Lake Trout

We catch big lake trout in 20-40’ of water through June. There is no greater thrill in canoe country angling than battling a 3-foot plus laker for half an hour on light tackle in a canoe. Lake trout prefer 50-degree well-oxygenated water so they go deep in July/August. They can still be caught but I am strictly a catch and release angler on lake trout (and smallmouth and pike as well) and trout caught deep then reeled up into warmer water can be severely stressed. Their air bladder will often inflate when caught from 50’+, making it necessary to “burp” them (massage their belly) before they can descend again. 

Some people like to eat smaller lake trout but they have Y-bones and in my view, walleye are hands down the best canoe country fish in the frying pan. 

My favorite Lake Trout Lakes

Favorite lake trout lakes in the bwca.

• Lac La Croix
• Little Saganaga

Favorite Lake Trout Lakes in Quetico

• The Man Chain

Walleye fishing in the BWCA

Best time of year: June and July for trophy and smaller eating-sized fish

Best tackle: Rapala Jointed Shad Raps Size 7; 1/8 – ¼ oz yellow jig with a leech or Berkeley Power Baits 

Favorite Locations: Areas where rivers and rapids spill from one lake to the next, or shorelines that have been hit by wind and waves during the day.

I believe lake trout, smallmouth bass and northern pike are best fished for sport- for the challenge/thrill. By being a conservation-minded angler who largely practices catch and release, you are protecting this priceless wilderness fishery and giving a fellow angler the opportunity to experience the same thrill. 

But walleye seem to have been created as the perfect food fish. They are super-easy to turn into boneless fillets and are absolutely phenomenal when deep-fried over the campfire. I limit my 8-10 day trips to one all-you-can-eat walleye fry as a special wilderness treat (we only keep walleyes from 14”-20” for eating, carefully releasing all the bigger/older breeding age fish).

Best time of year and location for walleye

Walleyes generally spawn near moving water before the fishing opener, but creeks and rapids spilling in from one lake to the next are always a good place to start your walleye search. 

For time of year, I prefer June/July for both numbers of eating-sized walleyes and trophy caliber 28”-30” fish. But many dedicated BWCAW walleye anglers prefer to wait for July and August, when walleyes concentrate on mid-lake reefs. 

I have my proven spots which tend to be in the prevailing westerlies where waves pound into the downwind shorelines or narrows. I wait for evenings when the wind quits and the phytoplankton and baitfish have been concentrated by the daytime winds. The big walleyes know this and will come in from 20 to 30 feet to feed in the shallower areas, of about 10 to 15 feet, at sundown. 

I fish right till dark and if you do, you will catch trophy walleyes.

Best Boundary Waters walleye bait and lures

I like to troll or cast Rapala Jointed Shad Raps Size 7 . This lure will run about 10 feet deep. 

More walleyes are caught on jigs than any other presentation. In the BWCAW, where live bait is legal, you can’t beat a yellow 1/8 – ¼ oz yellow jig with a leech. (Nightcrawlers and minnows work great on jigs too but they are more difficult to manage on a canoe trip than leeches). Many anglers are changing to bismuth jigs vs. lead jigs as loons and other birds have been harmed and poisoned by ingesting snagged or lost lead jigs or sinkers.

In the Quetico, where all live/organic bait is prohibited, we tip our jigs with soft-plastics- Berkeley Power Baits are very good, such as the white twister tail grubs, yellow paddle tail minnows or the Gulp minnows that have scent and taste added to them to attract fish.

My favorite walleye lakes in the BWCAW are:

My Favorite Walleye Lakes

Favorite walleye lakesin the bwcaw, favorite walleye lakes in the quetico.

• Ballard Crooked

Smallmouth bass in the Boundary Waters

Smallmouth bass.

Best time of year: Mid-May through mid-June

Best tackle: River2Sea Whopper Plopper #90; Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner, Size 5 in gold or yellow

Favorite Locations: Shallow water zones in the early season. By mid-season, hit the shallow areas in the evening.

Ironically, smallmouth bass are not native to the BWCAW or Quetico. And yet, they are by far the preferred game fish on my Grand Slam Guide Service trips . 

On most of my canoe trips, smallmouth dictate who goes, when we go, where we go, why we go, what we do out there, what we pack, and what memories we will take to our graves.

Best time of year for wilderness smallmouth bass

From mid-May through mid-June, smallmouth can be found in the shallow water zone where the bigger males make spawning beds that appear as “golden halos” on sand and gravel bottoms in 3 feet of water. 

During mid-summer, it is typical to find only smaller 12-inch smallmouth in the shallows during midday, but fear not, the big bass will come into shorelines or shallow boulder flats to feed on crayfish or minnows in the evenings. Be there then.

I especially love “hunting the shoreline cover” for the best big bass lairs- old half-sunken logs, weedy patches, big partially-submerged boulders, deep little nooks in the rocky shoreline or distinct points jutting out from the mainland. 

By slowly moving the canoe along in stealth mode, parallel to shore, the bow angler makes long casts up ahead with topwater plugs to these big bass hideouts.

Best bait for BWCA smallmouth bass

There is no greater adrenalin rush in canoe country fishing than a 20-inch smallmouth exploding to the surface to slam your topwater offering. Big topwater bass is why we toil with paddle and pack into the backcountry. 

My “go to” topwater bait is the River2Sea Whopper Plopper #90 . This unique prop bait is much easier to learn to fish than the traditional popper, casts much further, creates more disturbance, and attracts more bass with noise and vibration it makes. Also, it’s just so much fun to fish. I especially like making long 100’ casts, hooking up with a big bronzeback and battling him all the way back to the canoe. 

Some will get off, especially because we only use barbless hooks (these cause way less stress when unhooking and releasing fish, and are required in Quetico). 

Smallmouth are not always in the mood to whack topwater baits. My #1 subsurface bait for canoe country smallmouth is the Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner, Size 5 in gold or yellow . 

Many Boundary Waters bass anglers bring their southern bass techniques to the north country and fish smallies with jigs and soft plastics, which can be very productive too. 

Favorite Lakes for Smallmouth Bass

Favorite smallmouth lakes in the bwca, favorite smallmouth lakes in quetico.

• Gardner Bay
• Little Robinson

Northern Pike in the Boundary Waters

Northern pike.

Best time of year: May and June

Best lure: Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner, Size 5 in

Favorite Locations: Weed beds in large lakes such as Lac La Croix, Crooked, Basswood and Knife Lakes.

Most northern pike on my trips are caught incidentally, while casting our Whopper Ploppers and Vibrax spinners for smallmouth. Most of these pike will be between 24 and 34 inches and full of teeth so we carefully unhook/release them with the 8-inch forceps we keep clipped to our life jacket. 

This size pike and mid-sized smallmouth will be the most common catches for novice BWCAW anglers. Both species are very aggressive and will hit just about any bait thrown when hungry. Big canoe country pike can reach between 38 and 45 inches. We call these gators because that is what their huge toothy maws remind you of. 

If I had to catch a big BWCAW pike I would throw a #5 Vibrax along weed beds in May/June and I would do it on Lac La Croix, Crooked, Basswood and Knife Lakes. 

The formula here is that big lake equals big pike.

Canoe Country Fishing

I have been fishing canoe country for 45 years and have guided family, friends and clients on over 200 week-long canoe trips with Grand Slam fishing being the focus. It is a lifelong challenge, and passion, to catch big fish out in this watery wilderness. I never tire of catching big canoe country fish.

That’s when you know you really love something. 

I have published thousands of pages of detailed canoe country fishing intel: The how, when and where of every aspect of this sport in my magazine THE BOUNDARY WATERS JOURNAL . 

To subscribe, order back issues of the fishing topic of your choice or to order the Klos Boy’s Lake Trout Lures , go to boundarywatersjournal.com   

Good Luck fishing the Boundary Waters.

Continue Reading

Fighting to protect clean water and the bwca at the capitol.

There has not been a legislative hearing on sulfide mining in over a decade. We're working to change that and…

From the Boundary Waters to the Iditarod

Follow a young woman’s journey from dog sledding in the Boundary Waters to racing in the Iditarod, the most famous…

Cross Country Skiing in the Boundary Waters

Some of the best cross country skiing in the country is in or around the Boundary Waters. Learn more about…

Tips for Fishing in the Boundary Waters

Wired2fish editors.

• Jun 10, 2014

Article and Photos By Nathan Shore

Question:  I’m going on a Boundary Waters fishing trip . Which lures should I pack?

Answer: Because you need to limit weight, you should pay special attention to lure selection. Below is everything you need to know about packing for a BWCAW trip.

The northeastern corner of Minnesota is the home of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), stretching 120 miles west from the shores of Lake Superior along the Canadian border and the equally impressive Quetico Wilderness Area. It’s an area where families and friends can enjoy nature like it used to be, and the fishing for smallmouth, walleyes, muskies and other gamefish is virtually untapped.

If you’re looking for adventure, join the nearly 200,000 people annually who strike out into the wilds of the BWCAW. Fishing is obviously one of the main draws, but the area also attracts hunters, hikers, bird watchers and other nature lovers. Permits are required (see the end of this article for information) because the BWCAW is all about getting back in touch with our rustic beginnings. Some areas are open to motorboats, but most are restricted to canoes, kayaks and foot travel, and anything motorized (including a power auger) is illegal. The rules guarantee a quiet sojourn for those seeking a true wilderness experience, and with 70 entry points and 1200 miles of canoe-only trails crossing hundreds of lakes, ponds and streams, the BWCAW offers endless possibilities for serene angling in a truly wild setting.

Preparing for Wilderness Fishing

First-time explorers should do some research. Many BWCAW outfitters are on the Internet, and they have gear packing down to a science. Observing what and how they pack for shelter, food preparation, first aid, and other essentials is a college-level class in itself. Several sites (like CanoeCountry.com ) offer detailed packing instructions for all times of year.

Few sites, however, explain in detail how to pack for BWCAW fishing. BWCAW fishing can be exceptional and a constant source of food. May and June tend to be the best fishing months, but late summer and fall can be awesome, too. After selecting an entry point and a route, study all information on the lakes or lake you will visit and pack tackle accordingly. The primary species are walleyes, northern pike, smallmouth bass, brook trout, lake trout, bluegills, crappies, perch and whitefish. With the limited space you have to work with, packing for all of those species is tricky. Packing the “must haves” first, then tackle with universal appeal, is key to a successful trip.

Good net is a must

The first “must have” is a net that breaks down for efficient storage, like the Beckman Pen Net. For pike, select the 30-inch hoop. For everything else, the 22-inch hoop is perfect. The Pen Net has a “floor” that keeps fish from flopping out. The sides stay away while unhooking fish—a procedure seldom easy from a canoe. The Pen Net easily holds fish in the water for unhooking for quick release on hot days.

Wrangling fish from a canoe is a different rodeo altogether. Getting a good grip on big predators not only prevents injury for you, but for the fish as well. “Must have” No. 2 is a Lindy Fish Handling Glove. It takes up almost no space yet provides a massive service. In the wilderness, small wounds can become big problems in a hurry (always include a well-stocked first-aid kit, too). The third “must” is something too many first-time visitors forget — a stringer. There are no livewells on those canoes, folks. The light, plastic Lindy Ever-Last Stringer is a perfect choice for keeping fish fresh until dinner.

You might catch walleye, smallmouth, pike, trout and more all on the same pack of lures

Lure variety

Nobody knows what will bite next, so lures that catch a variety of species are important. All of these species respond to a properly presented jig. Bring 1/32- to 3/8-ounce jigs, but focus on the 1/16- to ¼- versions. The two most-universal fish attractants in the world are marabou and soft plastic, so a selection of Lindy Jigs becomes the most versatile way to pack light but effectively. A selection of Lindy Fuzz-E-Grub and Lindy Watsit jig bodies make for compact storage and last through many strikes each.

Making this selection ultra-versatile is the Lindy Jig Spinner. Clip on this safety-pin style Jig Spinner and turn any jig into a spinnerbait for smallmouths and pike, or a more efficient lure for walleyes in wood cover (fallen trees and logs are common in the BWACW). Ten or more jigs of each size, 50 or more plastic bodies and a few Jig Spinners fit in a compact utility box, and will certainly last the week.

Make room in the jig box for a few lighter versions for panfish and brook trout. A Lindy Bug, Toad, or small jig tipped with a piece of crawler under a slip float can be deadly for brookies, crappies and bluegills. Include a few small jig spoons like the Lindy Frostee because crappies and perch in the Boundary Waters are strict minnow eaters. The flash of a Frostee tipped with a piece of leech or crawler creates a compelling minnow imitator.

Like with the jig, hard-baits that catch a variety of species are best. Include floating minnowbaits, suspending minnowbaits, shad-shaped crankbaits, bass-style crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Devote one utility box to hard baits. Floating minnows like the Bomber Long A can be trolled shallow for pike, walleyes and smallmouths, or trolled deep behind a heavy in-line Lindy Cent’r Slip No-Snagg Sinker weight for lake trout. Suspending minnows like the Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogue attract every species with a twitch-pause-pull retrieve. Shad-shaped cranks like the Lindy Shadling mimic the body shape of ciscoes, a main forage for many BWCAW gamefish, so make sure some of your cranks feature blue backs. Crankbaits like the Bomber Fat Free Shad can take walleyes, smallmouths, pike and lake trout when pitched or trolled between spots.

Live bait anyone?

Carrying minnows is unrealistic, but leeches and night crawlers are “wilderness friendly” and great for tipping jigs for all species, which brings up another universal fish catcher: The infallible crawler harness or basic spinner rig. Some anglers bring components to match blade sizes and colors to conditions (blades, clevises, and swivels), but who wants to spend precious minutes on a wilderness trip tying spinner rigs? More than 100 pre-tied rigs can be packed in a quart or gallon-sized storage bag, taking up very little space.

Terminal tackle for land and sea

Because you must travel light, use snag-free sinker designs like the No-Snagg Sinker so you can cut back on the number you have on hand. A half-dozen each of the Cent’R Slider, No-Snagg and Rattlin’ No-Snagg in sizes from ¼- to ¾-ounce will suffice.

Consider that not all fishing will be from the canoe. You’ll want to fish from camp, too, so pack three or four Thill Pro Series Slip Floats and a half-dozen lighted floats for night fishing, along with a selection of plain bait hooks and a small container of soft shot.

Loud colors work

Because you’ll be waging a war of attrition throughout the trip, weight your color patterns heavily toward chartreuse, brown/orange, blue and natural perch patterns. Chartreuse shows up best in stained waters, but many waters are clear, making a case for translucent plastics and natural minnow patterns. Crayfish are prolific in all Boundary Waters lakes, making craw-pattern cranks and jigs key items. Another dominant source of protein is the cisco or lake herring, which reflects a lot of blue. Blue jigs and lures with blue backs get crushed.

This is no “peanut wrangle.” The Boundary Waters have produced Minnesota state records for walleye, brook trout, pike, and lake trout. Make like a Boy Scout and be prepared. Take equipment and lures designed to handle behemoths and bring home no regrets from the wilderness canoe trip of a lifetime.

Getting Permits

Groups staying overnight need quota permits and may only enter the BWCAW on the entry date, and must enter through the entry point specified. To apply, contact:

BWCAW Reservation Center

P.O. Box 462

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Phone: 877/550-6777

The Wired2fish Editors are avid anglers, fluent in fishing tackle knowledge and trends and we follow fishing results and news all over the country to provide really useful and timely fishing information to help a wide variety of anglers all over the country enjoy more and better fishing. We also aggregate great fishing information from other sources as well to keep anglers more informed about everything fishing.

Breaking News

Strike king announces nationwide, 30-day online tournament, johnston victorious with overwhelming performance in bassmaster elite series event at st. johns river, teen catches 101-pound state record catfish, timing is everything: john garrett crowned elite series champion at harris chain, mckinney’s tundra smells like toyota bonus bucks, jacob wheeler clinches eighth bass pro tour win at powerstop brakes stage three at dale hollow lake presented by mercury, midday kicker seals garrett’s wire-to-wire win in bassmaster elite at harris chain, isaacs targets docks to win bassmaster kayak series event at possum kingdom, recent posts.

How to Find Bass in a River | 4 Major Takeaways

Best Jerkbaits for Bass

5 Big Bass Baits You Should Try

Lew’s HyperMag Baitcaster Reel Review

Connell’s Guide to Pitching Stumps for Big Springtime Bass

Ark G1 Reel Giveaway

The Berkley Dime Crankbait | Dan Spengler Reveals All

BassMooch Shooter Craw Review

• 11 min read

The Best Boundary Waters Fishing Experience: Exploring Basswood Lake

Basswood lake: the best boundary waters fishing experience, where is basswood lake and how to plan your trip, how to access basswood lake, fall lake entry # 24:, moose lake entry # 25 to prairie portage:, mudro lake to jackfish bay entry # 22 / 23:, fishing in a canoe or kayak, where to fish in basswood, how to target walleye, how to target smallmouth bass, how to target northern pike, the best outfitters for basswood, the spirit of the wilderness guided fishing trips, packsack canoe trips and log cabins, latourell’s moose lake resort, final thoughts about basswood lake bwcaw.

Every angler dreams of fishing remote waters stacked with walleye, smallies and pike. The goal is to find waters where fish may never see a lure in their lifetime. Fishermen travel deep into the wilderness and may even take float planes into Canada just to charter a fishing experience of a lifetime. The thrill of starting the day catching the limit of walleye and then transitioning to target trophy pike seems too good to be true. But what if I told you this wilderness fishing jackpot existed and is accessible in the lower 48?

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) spans nearly the entire Northeastern tip of Minnesota. Here anglers can find untapped wilderness waters with incredible fishing. The BWCAW was designated a Federal Wilderness Area by the Wilderness Act in 1964. It is primarily accessed by canoe or kayak. The act restricts all motorized vehicles except issuing a limited number of permits on select lakes for boats with 25 horsepower or less. The lakes inside the BWCAW have become fishing gems and receive very little pressure. Of the 1,175 lakes inside the BWCAW, in terms of wilderness angling, Basswood emerges as the crown jewel. 

Basswood Lake is my favorite place to fish, period. I have taken personal fishing charters, tagged along with locals, paddled a day trip, and have been on several overnight excursions into Basswood Lake. In this article I outline each experience so that you can choose which one may be right for you.

Basswood is located just Northeast of Ely, MN and resides in the Boundary Waters. Of the BWCA lakes, Basswood is relatively easy to access. The two major entry points are through Fall Lake (# 24 entry) and through the Prairie Portage via Moose Lake (# 25 entry). To access Basswood, you need a BWCA permit ( recreation.gov ). Here are the different permits and a description of each:

Day Paddle: Unlimited permit availability and no advance booking needed. At each entry point there is a box where you can self-issue a permit. These are free of charge and I believe are simply used to track human activity in the BWCAW.

Overnight Paddle: Limited permit availability and advance booking is recommended. You can reserve your permit online or through many of the outfitting companies in Ely, MN.

Day Motor (Prairie Portage or Fall Lake): Limited permit availability and advance booking is required. The Day Motor permit allows you to enter with a 25 horsepower or less, fish for the day, and then exit. If you use this permit then you can only boat in the motorized areas, so be sure to bring a map, review the regulations, and know where you are.

The Day Motor permits may be the most popular. BWCAW permits are sold early in the year, typically the end of January. They sell out in about 5-10 minutes. If you are not able to get a permit, I recommend booking a guided fishing trip. Note a day motor into Moose and Sucker Lake does not give you access to Basswood, only Fall Lake and Prairie Portage provide day motor boat access into Basswood.

Overnight Motor: Limited permit availability and advance booking is required. These permits sell out fast. The only difference between a Day and Overnight Motor Permit is that the Overnight Motor permit allows you to camp on one of designated campsites within the 25 horsepower or less zone. If you are unable to purchase an Overnight Motor for yourself, one of the outfitting services in the area may have a pass and can help you get geared up for your fishing trip. Note unlike the Day Motor Permit, the Overnight Motor Permit into Moose Lake allows access to the Prairie Portage.

There are theoretically many ways to access Basswood, but practically speaking there are three main entry ways. They are Fall Lake, Moose Lake to the Prairie Portage, and Mudro Lake. Hands down Fall Lake and the Prairie Portage are the most popular and easiest ways to enter Basswood.

Arguably the most popular and easiest entry point for all permit types is the # 24 entry, Fall Lake. There are two portages required to enter Basswood and both allow portage wheels. The first portage is 83 rods from Fall Lake to Newton Lake. The second is 85 rods connecting Newton Lake and Basswood Lake. Both portages are considered easy, but the second leading to Basswood has some elevation which has been named “heart attack hill.” While an easy portage, when pushing a 16’ fishing boat on wheels the hill becomes much more challenging. When I plan a day paddle fishing trip to Basswood, 90% of the time I will take this route because it’s relatively easy to get to even though there are 2 portages.

This is my favorite way to access Basswood Lake when using a motorized permit. The reason is that the Prairie Portage has a motorized truck and trailer that will tow your boat across – no portage wheels required! You will need to make sure you bring cash and check the rates with LaTourell’s Resort or else you will need to push your fishing boat with portage wheels. For me the fee is worth the service.

This entry point is only for paddlers, no motor boats are allowed. It is the easiest way to canoe to Basswood’s Jackfish Bay. The West end of Jackfish Bay typically gets very little fishing pressure because it is a long way from the more popular # 24 entry from Fall Lake. From the parking lot there is a short trail to Mudro Lake, where you can drop in your canoe. To get to Jackfish Bay in Basswood, you have to complete three short portages. The first portage is from Mudro Lake to Sandpit Lake which is an 84 rod portage (about a ¼ mile).  The second portage is from Sandpit Lake to a creek that connects to Jackfish Bay and is only 33 rods. The third is just a quick hop over some shallows along the creek. All in all to get to Basswood from the Mudro Entry is about 3 miles.

Jackfish Bay is a fantastic place to fish. Some of the islands have amazing campsites. If you are planning an overnight to Jackfish Bay, be sure to try and snag one of these island campsites before someone else does.

Basswood is a big lake with big water. Angling in a canoe can be challenging, especially on a windy day. The wind typically is strongest midday, so I like to canoe fish in the mornings or evenings. Fishing evenings is obviously not feasible for day paddles because you have to paddle back to your entry point and I never recommend doing this at night.

Drift fishing with a Lindy Rig, a jig, or a spinner is my go-to unless it is a calm day. I set my canoe ahead of a reef, point, or rock pile and then let the wind carry my canoe across. I just throw my line in and let the wind do the work. I simply give a little wrist action to bring my bait to life. Drift fishing allows me to cover a lot of water in a canoe. If I hit fish, I will circle back over the spot several times until the bite stops.

Sometimes the wind is very strong and the waters very rough. In these conditions, I first make sure I can get back to my campsite or portage. If the wind is getting too strong, I do not fight Mother Nature and head back. But if I can handle it, I try to paddle against the wind so that when I am done fishing, the wind carries me back to my original destination. If the waters get too rough, I will seek a bay or shoreline that shields the wind. If there is a reef in the middle of the lake or someplace, I want to fish in open water – I always hit this up early (or late if I’m camping overnight).

Pro-tip: Whenever I fish in a canoe by myself, I put a life jacket or seat pad on the front seat and sit on the forward seat but facing the rear seat of the canoe. This way my weight is closer to the center of the canoe. Also, my paddling ability is more central which allows me to maneuver the canoe by myself much easier than if I were in the back seat.

Early in the fishing season, I will hit areas with a current. I think Pipestone Bay offers a lot of good options. The rapids from Pipestone Falls, the narrows, and several of the points are perfect places to target. I sometimes fish these same places later in the season, but these areas are more productive early. Pipestone Bay makes a great day paddle. If you plan to make day paddles into Basswood then I would suggest planning your trip early in the season.

Mid to late season I like to find reefs, points, or rock piles in Jackfish Bay (Fall Lake entry) or near Wind Bay area (Prairie Portage Entry). I look for islands and points. I cover as much water as possible until I start picking up fish. Then I duplicate the successful method. A good strategy that can be used for any lake is to fish the shoreline that is getting hit by wind. If the wind has badgered a rockpile all day, it may have carried some walleye with it and they will be waiting for you to hook into them.

Where to find walleye depends on the season. Early in the season the walleye will be near currents for spawning. Target the falls, narrows, and rivers. When the walleye are spawning, there are so many that you could walk across Pipestone Bay on top of the fish! Early in the season the walleye tend to stay near the currents, but as the season progresses they move.

In mid to late summer you will find walleye on the many reefs and rocks piles around Basswood. Typically, you will find the 10-20’ in depth hanging on a reef. Using a Lindy Rig, Jig, or Slip Knot Bobber is the gear of choice. Trolling with a Shad Rap also can be an effective method to pick up monster walleye.

Smallmouth bass are some of the most aggressive and enjoyable fish to catch. They typically hang out in the same places that walleye do: reefs and rock piles. But really you will find small mouth anywhere with cover and in depths 5-15’. My favorite bait for smallmouth is the green pumpkin zoom baby brush hog on a jig. This bait triggers smallmouth to attack it with the action from its tail and arms. Small mouth are aggressive fish and will hit spinner baits, live bait, Lindy Rigs, jigs, and crank baits. But I have had great success with the baby brush hog.

There is nothing like the thrill of a 40 inch northern pike striking your lure, breaking water, taking drag out and bending you pole over. I always make sure I bring a pair of needle nose pliers and gloves, so that when I hook into one of these lunkers I can extract the lure from its toothy mouth without getting cut. Pike are fairly easy to target, wherever you can find weeds in 10’ of water, you will find northern pike. I search the bays, inlets, and river mouths for weeds and depth. The deeper the weeds are, the higher the chance is of hitting a big pike! I use spinner baits with trailer hooks as my primary tackle to catch pike. And I always use a steel leader because I’ve lost too many big pike from them cutting through my line with their teeth. 

Unless you are local to the Boundary Waters or have an arsenal of wilderness equipment, then you may need an outfitting service or guided fishing trip. Here are my go to places for outfitting needs:

For guided fishing trips, I had a great experience with The Spirit of the Wilderness. We had a great guide who got us on walleye early and then crappie and pike later in the day. At lunch he cooked some of the fish we caught and prepared one of the most delicious lunches I’ve ever had! The most impressive part of the trip is that I went with my seven-year-old son at the time. The guide was excellent and my son fished the entire day and did not want to leave the lake.  They provided all the fishing gear and cleaned our fish for us. The trip was expensive (for me) but worth it and I highly recommend this option if you are unfamiliar with the Boundary Waters area.

Packsack is a full-service family operated BWCA outfitters and resort complete with boat rentals. If you are planning on entering Basswood through Fall Lake, then I recommend Packsack. They are known for their friendly staff and helpful outfitting services. They know the secrets of Fall, Basswood and many other lakes in the BWCA. Their customers experience a prime Basswood experience, which include sharing some of the best fishing spots on the lake. Whether you need equipment for an overnight camping excursion or are looking for a launching pad for day trips into Basswood, Packsack has you covered.

The Packsack resort consists of three Lincoln Log style rental cabins. The cabins once resided on shores of Pipestone Bay on Basswood. The cabins were moved in the 1960’s after the Wilderness Act forced the resorts in the BWCA to move their operation out of the wilderness area. The cabins are furnished with the basic amenities. They have a rustic outdoor cabin vibe that serves many people well. But if you are looking for luxury and modern amenities, I suggest looking for an alternate lodging option. Overall, Packsack Canoe Trips and Log Cabins offers an incredible Basswood Lake experience from outfitting to lodging that leave you with memories for a lifetime.

If you are planning on making a trip towards the Eastern leg of Basswood Lake, then LaTourell’s is the place I would go. They have guided trips, cabins, boats, are conveniently located on Moose Lake, and have some of the most friendly people to help you plan your trip. This year I am taking a group to Basswood via the Prairie Portage and am planning on renting a boat from them.

I love fishing Basswood Lake. Even on the worst fishing days, which are few and far between, this wilderness fills my soul. With limited permits available, the waters of Basswood provide fewer people and more Bald Eagles soaring above, crisper fresh air to breath, White Pines towering over the shoreline forest with no docks or cabins, and the call of loons instead of the sound of excessive motorboats. Whether camping overnight or seeking a day fishing trip, visiting Basswood offers an experience of a lifetime. Whenever I bring my friends to the Boundary Waters, I take them to none other than Basswood Lake. This is one of my personal favorite places to explore and fish in the lower 48 and therefore I highly recommend you check it out too! 

For other great fishing lakes in the Ely, MN area check out my analysis of the Top 19 Fishing Lakes in Ely, MN !

Recent Posts

From Hot to Cold: My Sauna and Cold Plunge Adventure at Cold Plunge Studios

Best Fishing Spots Near Minneapolis Updated 2024: Ranking the Top 28 Lakes and Rivers

The Original Sauna Cold Plunge – Authentic Finnish Sauna Experiences in the Upper Midwest

Call us: 218-365-5581

Tips On BWCA Canoe Trip Routes

Your trip through the wilderness will only be as good — or as bad — as the route you travel. There is no one route that is best, and there is no one entry point that is best. BWCA Routes can change a great deal over the course of a summer.

Considerations in picking a route

• Your personal preferences on the number of times you would like to change campsites play a major consideration. A party wanting to be out for five days and have four campsites would obviously travel farther than one want to be out seven days, but only want two campsites.
• From mid-May thru early June, some portages may be muddy.
• In August, some of the smaller rivers drop to a point where whole sections might have to be walked because there isn’t enough water to float a loaded canoe.
• Some lakes have different kinds of fish than others.
• The bug situation of June and July varies from one section to another.
• Forest fires are a natural part of the wilderness ecosystem. However, it takes a season or two for an area to start to green-up after a fire. Blackened areas might want to be avoided.
• Some areas may have bans on open fires . North Country provides stoves with our complete outfitting, so cooking would not be impacted. But as for the evening campfire … the answer would be NO. If having an evening campfire is important to your party, picking another area would probably be wise.

We know what those differences are, and are prepared to offer our suggestions so your trip can match your expectations .

The ability level of your party as a whole must be considered. If your participants have had a lot of time in canoes prior to arriving in Ely, they will travel farther each day than a group who has only had canoe experience in their city park. How well does everyone work together? Can meals be cooked in 15-20 minutes, or is it an all evening chore?

Obviously, a group that has only five days to spend in the woods will not have the same route as one having 7-10 days. We want to know how many campsites you will want to be in. On a 6 day/5 night trip you can have as many as five different sites, or you may choose travel every other day using 3 sites, or even set up a base camp and take day-trips from your one location.

Remember, every time you take down and set up another campsite, you are pulling about three hours of your day that you could have been doing something else. Also, on day trips you can travel farther and faster since you are not taking equipment across the portages.

Long-time NCCO Customers Scott & Nicole Sims talk about their experience:

Guided Trips

• Fishing Kayaks
• Paddle Boards
• Life Jackets (PFDs)
• Boat Storage
• Paddling Clothing
• Paddling Accessories
• Cool New Gear
• Submit a Review
• Paddling Near Me
• Paddling Locations Map
• Download the Go Paddling app
• Paddling Trips
• Kayaking Trips
• Canoeing Trips
• Share Your Knowledge
• Add a Paddling Location
• Add Your Trip
• All Articles
• Getting Started
• Boats & Gear
• Techniques & Safety
• Camping & Survival
• Join Newsletter
• Create Account
• Message Boards
• Classifieds
• Photo of the Week
• Free Weekly Newsletter
• Trip Finder

Guided Boundary Waters Fishing Trips

• Submit Your Review

Trip Overview

Piragis northwoods bwcaw guide service, guided day canoe fishing trips in the boundary waters:.

Fish the remote backwaters of the Boundary Waters where the lunkers lie in wait. Let us guide you to our favorite honey holes for a day of fishing action within the peace and quiet of the Boundary Waters inner sanctum... Permit included, lunch supplied by guide, all equipment included except fishing gear. You must have valid MN fishing licenses.

What to bring along on All Fishing Day Trips:

Good rain gear, sunglasses, hat, camera, sunscreen, licenses, water and water bottle, fishing gear...

Trip Location

How to make the most of a Boundary Waters fishing trip

The Boundary Waters is known for its world-renowned backcountry angling of northern pike, walleye, lake trout, and smallmouth bass.

Paddling season in the Boundary Waters officially began on May 1 with the required use of BWCA entry permits, even as Northern Minnesota’s winter lingered longer than usual. And for many Wilderness enthusiasts, May 14, 2022, marks the start of another longstanding summer tradition: Fishing season. 

Much like the start of paddling season, this year’s fishing opener appears set to be an icy one. And even if the ice melts from a lake, water can remain dangerously cold in the Boundary Waters well into June. If you’re planning on an early season fishing trip, make sure to read our blog on cold-water safety in order to be prepared.

Despite a later start to the season, a tasty shore lunch is just a few weeks away. 

What to catch, where to catch, and how to do it correctly

Some of the most important practices for fishing in the Boundary Waters are following local regulations and minimizing your impact on the natural space around you. As a Wilderness Area (which you can learn more about here! ), the Boundary Waters is a uniquely wild place with very little human development. Responsibly recreating in the Wilderness means ensuring future visitors can experience the same solitude and cleanliness of the BWCA.

In order to fish anywhere in the state of Minnesota, you’ll need a current-year fishing license from the Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, make sure to read up on the DNR’s possession limits and whether certain species and sizes are required to be released when caught. It’s important to remember that these limits can depend on location, and they may differ in the BWCA from other areas of Minnesota.

While the prevalence of species varies on a lake-to-lake basis, the Boundary Waters houses many of Northern Minnesota’s usual suspects. You can expect to catch lake trout, smallmouth bass, and the walleye, Minnesota’s state fish. Northern pike are also found within the Boundary Waters, and they are both rarer and larger in the region than in Southern and Central Minnesota.

The best lakes for fishing in the Boundary Waters can be somewhat of a subjective topic. However, various outfitters and active members of BWCA forums agree that Basswood Lake and Knife Lake are excellent for anglers looking to paddle into the Wilderness interior. For those hoping to stay closer to roads, Seagull Lake on the Gunflint Trail and Kawishiwi River near Ely are solid picks.

Make sure to read up on motorized use limitations

Seasoned Boundary Waters anglers are no doubt familiar with this rule, but it’s worth noting for first-time visitors: The use of motorized watercraft in the Boundary Waters is highly regulated by the U.S. Forest Service. This is done in order to maintain the Boundary Waters as an untouched stretch of wilderness and protect the especially high water quality of its lakes.

Restrictions on motorized watercraft depend on the horsepower of a boat’s engine. There are only four bodies of water within the BWCA that do not have horsepower limitations. A vast number of the area’s lakes completely restrict motorized use, and a few lakes allow for 10- or 25-horsepower motors. A complete list of these lakes can be found on page 7 of the Forest Service’s BWCA trip planning guide .

Furthermore, all motorized watercraft use requires a reserved, quota-based permit from May 1 to Sept. 30, regardless of whether you plan to stay in the Wilderness overnight. This differs from single-day paddling permits, which are self-issued and not subject to quotas. These regulations are one of the major reasons canoe fishing is so popular in the Boundary Waters, along with the accessibility to interior lakes afforded by paddling.

The solitude of the Boundary Waters can provide an excellent backdrop for fishing, whether you’re looking for backcountry angling or a day trip onto one of the exterior lakes. But these unmatched recreation experiences are only possible through the continued practice of sustainable fishing according to local regulations. Make sure to fish responsibly when you visit the Boundary Waters, and if you’re unsure about rules, ask an outfitter when you reach your trip’s destination.

• What is the Boundary Waters?
• Mining Threat
• Resource Library
• Ways to Give
• Mission & Impact
• Business Coalition
• Ely Headquarters

• Interesting Encounters (Part 1)
• Redfish Tactics
• Rainbow Trout Tactics
• The Best Slingpack
• Smallmouth Bass Tactics
• All About BWOs
• How to Hire a Fly Guide
• The Best Floatant
• The Best Fly Fishing Books
• Brown Trout Tactics
• Mousing for Brown Trout
• Fly Fishing Ponds
• Fly Fishing Riffles
• Fly Fishing Pocket Water
• Fly Fishing in the Rain
• Fly Fishing Muddy Water
• Fly Fishing with Ants
• 46 Winter Fly Fishing tips
• How to Fight Big Fish
• MF of the American River
• Fly Fishing the BWCA
• Dragonfly Pattern Tactics
• The Best Ice Fishing Flies
• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout
• Smallmouth Bass
• Jack Crevalle
• My Favorite Slingpack
• Best Fly Rod Warranties
• Fly Line Cleaning & Dressing
• Winter Glove Guide
• Fly Fishing Vehicles
• Greasing your leader
• Hiking with a Fly Rod
• The Best Fly Floatant
• The Best Fly Fishing Forceps
• Why is Fly Fishing Expensive?
• Best Fly Fishing Books
• Best Fly Fishing Authors
• 5 Best Fly Fishing Podcasts
• Interesting Encounters – Part 1
• Interesting Encounters – Part 2
• How Many Fly Rods Do You Need?
• Why Floating Line Sinks
• The Feather Thief Review
• Do Trout Have Teeth?
• Do Trout Have Scales?
• Casting to Spawning Trout
• How to Hire a Guide
• Undertanding Flow Rates (cfs)
• Tips for Safe Wading
• What is CDC
• BWO Fly Fishing
• The Best Brown Trout Flies
• Brown Trout Colors
• Do Trout Eat Crayfish?
• Do Trout Eat Salamanders?
• Do Trout Eat Algae?
• Do trout eat minnows?
• Do Trout Eat Frogs?

Select Page

 Tips on Fly Fishing the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area)

Mar. 31st, 2022

Fly fishing the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) is an opportunity for any fly angler to hook into some giant smallmouth bass and northern pike, along with many other fish species. It’s an area unlike any other, offering world class beauty, solitude, and adventurous fishing. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

It’s absolutely one of the best places in the world to fly fish for smallmouth bass.

I’ve been to the BWCA, and the Lake of the Woods area, several times. Having grown up in Minnesota, and having been a boy scout, it was a right of passage. There are over 2,000 lakes ranging in size from 10 acres to over 10,000 acres, and there are over 1,200 miles of rivers and streams.

After reading this article, you will have learned how to fly fish the BWCA, including what fish species exist, how to catch them, and what flies work best.

There are innumerable streams and creeks that connect many of the BWCA lakes. These streams and creeks act like highways, allowing fish to move from lake to lake. In the picture below, I’m fishing for smallies that were swimming upstream from the nearby lake.

What Fish Species Live in the BWCA?

There are many species of fish that can be caught in the BWCA because there are so many lakes that comprise the area. With that said, there are a few gamefish species you’ll be chasing with your fly rod, including:

Northern pike ( Esox lucius )

“Northerns” as we Minnesotans call them are ferocious predators that have earned the nickname “water wolf.” During the springtime they can be found in shallow water as they prepare to spawn. It’s during this period that they attack surface fly patterns.

You can catch them in virtually any lake. The average size you’ll catch in the BWCA is around 3-4 pounds, but 5-15 pounders are common. The BWCA record northern pike was 45 pounds and 12 ounces.

Walleye ( Sander vitreus )

Walleye hold in the deeper water and using a weighted beadhead fly is your best strategy. Bounce it off the bottom. Chartreuse is the best color. The record walleye caught in the BWCA was 17 pounds and 8 ounces.

You can find walleye in Loon lake, Lac la croix, Sucker lake, Birch lake, Ottertrack lake, Saganaga lake, and Maraboeuf lake.

Smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu )

Smallies are plentiful in the boundary waters. They’re terrific fighting fish, and they feed aggressively. You’ll commonly catch 3-pounders, but 5-7 pounds is not uncommon. The record catch in the BWCA was 8-pounds.

Smallmouth bass can be found in most BWCA lakes.

Black crappie ( Pomoxis nigromaculatus )

Crappies aren’t common in the BWCA (no panfish are), but you’ll hook into them while fishing for smallmouth bass. You can find them in Loon lake, Lac La croix, Iron lake, Crooked lake, and many others. They’ll happily take beadhead fly patterns in black.

Largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides )

Largemouths aren’t super common in the BWCA either. But, when you find them, they’ll take surface patterns in the evening. Your best bet is to fish Crooked lake, Sucker lake, or Birch lake.

Musky aka muskellunge ( Esox masquinongy )

It’s been reported that muskies have been caught in Little Vermillion lake and the Loon river.

Lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush )

Lake trout (members of the char family) hold in deep water, usually at depths of 50+ feet. Your best bet to catch them on a fly is during the spring when they’re in the shallow water. You can find them in Look lake, Lac la croix, Carp lake, Knife lake, Saganaga lake, Maraboeuf lake, and Ottertrack lake.

A complete list of fish in the BWCA would include species you likely wouldn’t target, such as bullhead (rare), sunfish (pumpkinseed and bluegill), rock bass, burbot, whitefish, sauger, suckers (redhorse, white, longnose), sturgeon, perch, and cisco.

There are brook trout in some areas, which are planted by the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources).

This above list doesn’t include minnows.

The boundary waters area is one of the most picturesque places you’ll ever fish.

BWCA Fly Fishing Techniques

The boundary waters canoe area is full of fish, but some lakes are more productive than others. Here’s the rule that I can attest to: the farther out you get, the better the fishing will be.

In other words, the deeper you explore into the BWCA, the better the fishing. Don’t get lazy because you don’t feel like hauling your canoe through another portage. Keep going. Persist!

Fishing from a Canoe

There aren’t a lot of places to wade in the BWCA since the trees often encroach upon the shoreline. So, most of your fishing will be from a canoe and yes, it can be a challenge.

Casting from a canoe takes some getting used to. One person rows while the other person casts. It’s just how you do it, whether your fly fishing or spinfishing.

Spinfishing is a little easier from a canoe. One of the guys I was with on one trip would troll a daredevil spoon behind our canoe as we rowed across crossed each lake.

One year I did come across an old (but sturdy) dock on one of the portages we took. I stood on it and gazed into the ridiculously clear, shallow waters of the inlet. What I remember so vividly is the complete absense of panfish. I was so used to seeing sunnies around every dock in the lakes I normally fished several hours south.

The Best Fishing Seasons

I’m not going to lie, summer fishing can be more challenging. Specifically for pike. You’ll still catch northern pike on streamers, but they aren’t nearly as active, and they’re often in deeper water. July and August are the toughest.

Anglers used to believe that pike shed their teeth during the summer in the BWCA, and that’s why the fishing was so tough. That’s an old wive’s tale, but it paints a picture.

Spring is the best fishing season, athough the weather is more unpredictable. This is the only season when the northern pike, lake trout, and walleye will be in shallow water.

During the spring, you should cast streamers and surface poppers towards the shoreline. This is the time of year when giant fish in shallow water will attack your surface (and sub-surface) flies.

Fall is another good time to fish in the boundary waters, but again, the weather is a little less stable. Bring warm clothes.

General Strategies

Smallmouth bass prefer moving water. Ideally, you’ll find a stream or creek that feeds into a lake. It’s like a food conveyor belt, bringing minnows, crustaceans, and insects directly to the fish.

Here’s a spot where a waterway is emptying into a lake inlet. This is where you can find feeding smallmouth bass, as well as other species.

If moving water isn’t present, you’ll find smallies hanging around rock structures. Cast a weighted streamer, let it sink to the bottom, and sporadically strip it back.

Finally, stop in at an outfitter before you hit the water. Buy some flies, and then ask for advice. Ask lots of questions, but be sure you’re buying some gear. Don’t be a freeloader. In my experience, the more you buy, the better the advice will be.

Get your free newsletter with fly fishing tips & tactics

Join our fly angling community and you'll get stories about my fly fishing outings, which species I caught, and which flies worked. You'll also be notified when new articles are available.

Subscribe now!

The Best Boundary Waters Flies

When smallmouth bass and northern pike are taking flies on the surface, cast poppers or hoppers in size 2-6.

Streamers are going to be your go-to fly pattern in the BWCA. Specifically, patterns like the Woolly bugger in olive, black, or brown (size 6-12) will be really productive with smallmouths.

Leech and crayfish patterns can be super effective when bounced along submerged rock piles.

Clouser minnows in sizes 2-6 are terrific when you need to get a little deeper. My favorite colors are white and chartreuse.

Big streamers like the Drunk and Disorderly in sizes 2-6 will attract the attention of many large pike. Strip the fly in like it’s an injured baitfish.

Another big fly that’ll work well is a mouse pattern–the master splinter is my favorite. Fish this pattern in the evening for smallmouth and northern pike.

In reality, you don’t need to agonize over your fly patterns. Often times, the fish will hit whatever flies you throw at them. When they’re hungry, they’re not picky. This is especially true for the remote lakes.

This is something you’ll see plenty of in the boundary waters. Beavers are everywhere. Make sure you don’t ever walk on top of beaver homes, though–it can be very dangerous.

Fishing Gear for the BWCA

Bring a 7 or 8-weight fly rod. Actually, bring two if you’re smart. These rods are strong enough to bring in big pike and smallmouth.

If you had to choose, go with the 8-weight since it’ll make casting easier if the wind picks up.

You might be tempted to bring your 5-weight, but a 5-weight is too light. It’s too light to cast big streamers, it’s too light to land big fish quickly, and it’s too light to fight the wind. Don’t set yourself up for failure.

The fly line is personal preference.

If you’re going to focus on the surface, you’ll want a weight-forward floating line.

If it’s summertime and the fish are deep, consider a sink-tip or full sinking line if you’re going to focus on streamers. Nowadays, there are full sinking lines that cast nearly as well as floating line.

While not specifically fly fishing gear, you’re going to want to bring some mosquito repellent. Here’s something I learned while on a camping/fishing trip to the BWCA.

It was summer and the mosquitos were soul-crushing. They don’t come after you when you’re paddling the canoe out on the lake, but once we hit shore, it was a bloodsport.

One of the elders of the group said he’d take care of it. He took out a small spraybottle and grabbed a leaf and sprayed it. Then he walked ten feet, and sprayed another leaf, and he kept doing this until he’d made a circular perimeter around us.

I remember thinking, what good will that do, spraying it every ten feet?

Well, we couldn’t believe how well it worked. It kept mosquitos out of our camp for hours.

He said it was permethrin. I’m not sure if it’s legal nowadays, but it worked like magic.

You’ll be bolting from the water like me when the mosquitos attack.

Where is the best fishing in the BWCA?

The best fishing lakes in the BWCA are, in no particular order: Iron lake, Basswood lake, Lake four, Knife lake, Birch lake, Carp lake, Newton lake, Crooked lake, Crane lake, Loon lake, and Little Vermillion. Many of the lakes are interconnected with streams and rivers, which can hold various gamefish as well.

BWCA Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fish in the bwca.

Yes, you can fish in the BWCA. You simply need a standard Minnesota state fishing license which is available online or in-person at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Are there trout in the boundary waters?

Yes, there are three species of trout in the boundary waters, including brook trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout. These farmed trout are concentrated in stocked lakes and rivers maintained by the Minnesota DNR.

Do you need a trout stamp in the BWCA?

Yes, you need a trout stamp in the BWCA if you’re going to be fishing in trout designated waters, even if you’re not targeting trout specifically. There will be signs at public access points denoting trout lakes and streams. You still need a trout stamp even if you’re using a day permit.

You do not need a trout stamp to fish in Snowbank, Burntside, Lac la croix, and Knife lakes unless you have a trout in possession or are angling specifically for trout.

A 24-hour fishing license fee automatically includes a trout stamp.

Anyone 65 years of age or older do not need a trout stamp in the BWCA.

How do you catch trout in the BWCA?

The Minnesota DNR stocks several BWCA lakes and streams with farmed trout. These areas are referred to as “put and take” stocked waters. They “put” the trout there, and you “take” them out.

Brook and rainbow trout are aggressive eaters and you won’t have any issues catching them on dry flies in lakes and streams. I’d recommend a size 20 blue winged olive (BWO). Here’s an article I wrote on BWO fly fishing tactics .

The lake trout are an entirely different story. Catching lake trout in the BWCA will require that you get very deep (50+ feet) with a weighted streamer, unless you’re fishing during the spring when they’re in shallow water.

Fly fishing in the BWCA is something every fly angler should experience at least once. Monster northern pike and smallmouth bass await you in its cold, crystal clear waters.

It’s often said that the big smallmouth bass in the BWCA will eat lemmings, if that gives you an idea of their size and aggressiveness. The nearby Lake of the Woods area is another area that could be fished in the same trip, if your schedule allows.

Whether you’re fishing a put-and-take trout lake, or a remote lake deep in the northern woods, the boundary waters canoe area is one of the world’s finest fishing destinations.

About the Author

My name's Sam and I'm a fly fishing enthusiast just like you. I get out onto the water 80+ times each year, whether it's blazing hot or snow is falling. I enjoy chasing everything from brown trout to carp, and exploring new waters is something I savor. My goal is to discover something new each time I hit the water. Along those lines, I record everything I learn in my fly fishing journal so I can share it with you.

As the Boundary Waters draws new visitors, journalist Joe Friedrichs shares cautionary tales from a beautiful place

We are entering that time of year when adventurous Minnesotans start answering the call of the Boundary Waters, the pristine and isolated land and water we love so much in this state.

The Boundary Waters has seen an increase in visitors over the past few years, likely due to the pandemic. Regional journalist and paddle enthusiast Joe Friedrichs wants those visitors to remember that this beautiful northern landscape comes with its own hazards and potential dangers. On Tuesday, he will release a book filled with true stories of peril in the area.

Friedrichs joined MPR News host Emily Bright to share what he learned while writing “Last Entry Point: Stories of Death and Danger in the Boundary Waters.”

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on  Apple Podcasts ,  Google Podcasts ,  Spotify  or wherever you get your podcasts.   

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Audio transcript

Download transcript (pdf).

Transcription services provided by 3Play Media .

The Federal Register

The daily journal of the united states government, request access.

Due to aggressive automated scraping of FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov, programmatic access to these sites is limited to access to our extensive developer APIs.

If you are human user receiving this message, we can add your IP address to a set of IPs that can access FederalRegister.gov & eCFR.gov; complete the CAPTCHA (bot test) below and click "Request Access". This process will be necessary for each IP address you wish to access the site from, requests are valid for approximately one quarter (three months) after which the process may need to be repeated.

An official website of the United States government.

If you want to request a wider IP range, first request access for your current IP, and then use the "Site Feedback" button found in the lower left-hand side to make the request.