This Gorgeous, Little-Known Lake Is One of the Most Underrated Fishing Spots in Minnesota

Writing an article like this about a little-known fishing spot Minnesota anglers try to keep secret presents a unique kind of challenge. I mean, surely all the best fishing spots in Minnesota are either well-known (Vermilion, Winnie, Leech, Pepin), played out, or both—right? As it turns out, not necessarily! The trick, it seems, to maintaining high game fish populations with low fishing pressure in a state that loves angling as much as we do is difficult access. And in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, few places are as challenging to access as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is where you'll find Basswood Lake, a relatively remote lake in Minnesota that is an angler's paradise.

Why Basswood Lake Is a Little-Known Fishing Spot in Minnesota

I've always believed that the best things in life require a little bit of elbow grease, and this lake is the perfect example. It sits firmly on the list of little-known lakes in Minnesota because you can't just back your trailer down a paved ramp and be on the water in five minutes. The remoteness is the key differentiator here; without the easy access that drives crowds to the more famous "big water" lakes, Basswood has managed to keep its fishing pressure remarkably low. If you're willing to trade the convenience of a resort dock for the silence of a wilderness shoreline, you'll find that this is easily one of the best fishing lakes Minnesota has hidden up its sleeve.

Where Is Basswood Lake and How Do You Get There?

Basswood is a massive 26,000-acre lake that straddles our border with Canada, located about 10 miles northeast of Ely as the raven flies. The U.S. side of this clear lake in Minnesota lies entirely within the BWCA, while the Canadian side is tucked into Quetico Provincial Park. Reaching it usually involves a bit of paddling and a portage or two, which is exactly why the water stays so pristine. Most folks paddle in from entry points like Fall Lake, but you can actually use an up-to-25-horsepower motor on certain portions of the lake if you're coming through Moose Lake or Prairie Portage.

What You Can Catch at Basswood Lake

If you're after walleye, you're in the right place, as recent DNR sampling of Basswood Lake netted far more of them than any other species. But what really gets my heart racing is the trophy potential; in 2021, a monster 46.25-inch northern pike was pulled out of these waters, tying the state record. The lake is also one of the premier remote fishing destinations in Minnesota for smallmouth bass, with many anglers reporting fish weighing over six pounds. Whether you're jigging for dinner or casting for a wall-hanger, the variety here is incredible.

What To Know Before Visiting the Boundary Waters

• Permits: You will need to self-issue a day permit at the entry point if you're just heading in and out, but any overnight stay requires a permit reserved through Recreation.gov.
• Lottery: Between May and October, overnight permits are issued on a lottery system, so you'll want to plan your trip well in advance.
• Motor Rules: If you plan to use a boat, double-check that you're in a motorized zone and that your engine is under the 25-horsepower limit.
• Preparation: This is a true wilderness area, so be prepared to pack out everything you pack in and follow all BWCA regulations to keep the lake pristine.

If you're up to the challenge of getting there, I really don't think you'll be disappointed with the fishing on Basswood Lake. It takes a little more planning than your average Saturday afternoon outing, but the reward of a quiet sunrise and a trophy walleye on the line is worth every portage. I’m already plotting my next trip back to Basswood, and you may want to consider exploring some of these more remote spots the next time the local lakes start to feel a bit too crowded.