access and lakers on Snowbank

can somebody tell me the best way to access Snowbank for laker ice fishing? I’ll be hauling a snowmobile trailer with sleds. I’m not sure what the bwca entry point looks like in the winter or if it’s even typically plowed. Obviously I’ll need space to park and turn around with a trailer.

And…if you’re in a giving mood (it’s the giving season) any info on laker fishing would be awesome. I’ve never fished this lake. I do know I need to stay on the non-bwca side. Was just going to look for a steep drop, but there are lots to choose from. Going to jig large tube jigs, airplane jigs and spoons. Will probably just watch the Vexilar for action to figure out what depth they’re at and punch alot of holes.

Thanks much.

Snowbank Lodge can get you on and probably give you a bit of advice as well. Their ice update 2 days ago:

“We went out two miles to Fish Hook Island. We found 6”-9” of good, clear ice. Generally the good ice all had an additional 3”-6” of white, crusty ice on top of the good ice. We did not run into any slush issues. The parts of the lake we were on only had about 1”-2” of snow. Most of the snow we got a few weeks ago seems to have blown off. Lake trout opener is January 14th this year.”

Note that last sentence — Lake treat season for lakes either partially in or completely outside the BWCA is closed until Jan 14. You can fish them on lakes entirely within the BWCA now.

Also here is a report from yesterday from Arrowhead outdoors in Ely:

“BWCA Lake Trout – Lake Trout anglers reported a slower then normal start to the lake trout season. Still those kamikaze trout showed up to save several trips from being skunked. Chartreuse and white tubes took the lions share of lakers over the weekend. Humps, sharpe breaks and points in 30-50 feet of water was the areas to look for trout.”

thanks much. I’m surprised at those ice depths. Would have thought they’d have more by now. But that’s still plenty to run a sled on.

Scott F wrote:

’m not sure what the bwca entry point looks like in the winter or if it’s even typically plowed.

It’s been plowed the couple times I’ve checked it out in winter but it was also annoyingly cramped with all of the trailers and vehicles. <Deleted stuff about Snowbank Lodge that’s wrong for this year>

Apparently Snowbank Lodge aren’t plowing a road this year, just saw this:

ATTENTION SNOWBANK ICE ANGLERS:
We will not be plowing an ice road nor placing any ice houses this year on Snowbank.

Who is “they”? I’m assuming one of the resorts.

Scott F wrote:

Who is “they”? I’m assuming one of the resorts.

Snowbank Lodge.

FWIW the best laker guide up in the area primarily stays on Burntside. Lots more good spots available via snowmobile. Not saying you can’t catch trout on the motorized side of Snowbank, but a lot of the prime areas are over the wilderness boundary.

If hiring a guide isn’t your thing, I know he used to offer hour-long Zoom session to teach you the ins and outs of the lake and start you out on some productive spots. Steve Foss is his name.

I wish I could help but all of my laker knowledger is on the gunflint side of the bwca. Steve Foss knows his stuff! I totally agree with dirtywater in that he is the best guide in the area. If Steve is talking, I am listening.

Thanks. i saw his name mentioned somewhere and now Follow him on FB. I only asked about Snowbank because it seems like it might be a little quieter than Burntside.

I wished there were some snowmobile-only access lakes for lakers, but I can’t find those in the Ely area. Lots in the Gunflint area. But we fish Ely for rainbows…so I’m just looking to fill out the day on another species.

you could hit the combo of laker and rainbow lakes on the gunflint side too. Seems like the Ely side is quite a bit busier than the Gunflint side in the winter when it comes to just about everything.

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

you could hit the combo of laker and rainbow lakes on the gunflint side too. Seems like the Ely side is quite a bit busier than the Gunflint side in the winter when it comes to just about everything.

X2 I prefer the GF side in almost all regards, except for the longer drive.

I will agree that the public access on snowbank can be pretty tight for parking a truck and trailer on the weekends during trout season, especially on opening weekend. The folks at Snowbank Lodge are great people and are as accommodating as can be when it comes to helping people access through their establishment. Make sure to throw them some cash if accessing through their property. They indeed are not plowing a road out onto the lake this year but they have a couple of snowdogs for rent this year if anybody wants a unique way to get after Snowbank lakers.

I also offer a unique way to fish lakers in the Ely area, including Snowbank Lake with fully guided half and full day trips in my SnoBear.