Hi friends,

I am planning a BWCA trip for four guys in June (my least favorite time of year up there due to the mosquitos and black flies, but oh well) and am looking for recommendations. Thinking roughly 3-4 days. Two of the guys, including myself, are experienced BWCA trippers and two guys are newbies. Leaning toward the Ely side but am open to anything.

I don't want to move every day so maybe two days at one site and two days at another. On travel days, willing and able to move into the BWCA interior a decent amount. Circle route preferred but we can shuffle cars if need be. Would like to find good fishing but we can fish anywhere so that's not a big deal.

I recognize this is pretty broad, but any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!!

Go in early June, first week. Best fishing and not buggy.

I'd say a decent 3–4-day trip on the Ely side with a couple of newbies is putting in at Little Indian Sioux North. Make the loop through Pauness, Shell, Lynx, Hustler, Oyster, Agnes, and out through Nina Moose (or do the reverse). You can either drop a car or use an outfitter for a shuttle if you don't mind different entry/exit points. Have had good fishing along this whole route and it's on the lighter side of distance and portaging.

Wood, Hula, Good, Hoist Bay, Pipestone Bay, Newton, Fall. You may be able to drop a car at Fall Lake parking lot for shuttling.

Permit availability may play into your schedule, route, and planning.

A few ideas:

Option 1 - Lady Lakes Chain - Start at Kawishiwi Lake (Entry 37), end at Sawbill Lake (Entry 38). Shuttle yourselves or chip in for a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitters.

Day 1 - Kawishiwi to Polly Lake -
Day 2 - Layover - Fish Polly, Koma, Kawashachong.
Day 3 - Polly Lake to Phoebe or Grace Lake
Day 4 - Fish Phoebe, Knight, Grace Lakes.
Day 5 - Out to Sawbill.

This would be tough to shorten to 4 days.

Option 2 - Start at Kawishiwi Lake, End at Kawishiwi Lake.
Day 1 - Kawishiwi to Malberg Lake.
Day 2 - Fish Malberg
Day 3 - Go north to Pan Lake: East to Frond/Boze Lakes: west to Amber Lake: south to Koma Lake
Day 4 - More Fishing (pick a direction from above)
Day 5 - Back to Kawishiwi Lake

Kawishiwi to Malberg will take 6-7 hours of travel depending on your efficiency. But it will get you past most of the crowd that usually stops at Polly.

Option 3 - Temperance River Lakes to Sawbill - Start at Baker Lake (Entry 39), end at Sawbill Lake (Entry 38) Shuttle yourselves or chip in for a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitters.

Day 1 - Baker Lake to Kelly or Jack Lakes.
Day 2 - Fish Kelly, Jack, Weird Lakes
Day 3 - Travel to Burnt Lake
Day 4 - Fish Burnt/Smoke/Flame Lakes
Day 5 - Out to Sawbill

This one has very little travel time and can be shortened to 3nights/4days.

Option 4 - Start at Sawbill Lake(Entry 38), end at Sawbill Lake.

Day 1 - Sawbill to Grace Lake.
Day 2 - Fish Grace Lake
Day 3 - Fish Phoebe/Knight lakes
Day 4 - Grace to Sawbill Lake.

Shorten or lengthen as needed.

Hope you have a great trip.

All great thoughts thus far, thanks all! Any additional recommendations are welcome, just a few more weeks to get it pinned down!