Saganaga

A coworker and I are thinking of camping on Saganaga this summer. We will be using a motorboat but camping. I understand you need a motor permit and BWCA permit. Anybody have any advice or tips for this lake?

Thanks

Saganaga and Basswood motoriized entry permits are scarce and in high demand. To insure your best chances of getting one be sure to apply in January. This year it sounds like the Forest Service is going to abandon the permit lottery system. They propose making all the permits for that year available the last Wednesday of January (the 25th in 2012). Starting at 9:00 am they will be allocated on a first come basis via telephone and internet. I was skeptical of their ability to handle the onslaught the 25th, but they assured me places like Yosemite have many more requests and do well with the proposed system. I’ll be on my computer at the starting time looking for day use motorized Basswood permits.

Not much info here, but had a customer recently who said they camped/fished there. They had tough walleye fishing. He said it is Gin Clear and thought it might have been a good night bite? No Firsthand information other than it is my understanding Minnesota’s State record walleye came out of the Seagull river.

Of the big 3 mororized BWCA destinations I have taken two trips to Saganaga, 8 or 10 to Basswood and perhaps 18 to Trout Lake. I can catch fish on Basswood and Trout, not so much on Saganaga. In my experience the “trophy” lakes are much harder to fish. But I am not an expert angler and as always your mileage may vary.

Saganaga has some amazing fishing. I highly recommend giving Mike Berg at Seagull Creek Fishing Camp a call 218-388-9929 with any question or concerns. http://www.seagullcreekfishingcamp.com

Take Care and Tight Lines!
Kevin

I have a friend who owns a place on Sag so I probably get up there 6-8 times a year. Sag has some excellent fishing but timing and location are everything. June normally would be my pick for the area but if you want to guarantee fish, I would certainly hook up with Mike Berg. He knows Sag like the back of his hand.

Ed

Early always better and I have friends who end up there during the opener, they will always be their shallowest that time of the year until this time again.

Mark