Favorite small/electric lakes — MN, WI, IA, Dakotas — not BWCA

I’ve been on some of the local electric-only lakes — Nokomis, Harriet, Bush, and Hyland — but I’m looking for options that will get me out of the city. It will be me, 45lbs of thrust and two oars in a boat that’s neither deep nor wide, so I’m looking for either smaller lakes or lakes that don’t require long runs from the launch. Bonus points for “protected” spots that aren’t prone to strong winds, rollers, etc. The lake doesn’t need to be electric-only, but it needs to be feasible for my setup. I’m not able to plan weeks ahead, so the BWCA is kind of ruled out with their permit system.

I don’t need a ramp to launch my boat, and I don’t need trailer parking. I do need to be able to safely/legally park my car nearby.

I primarily like to fish for walleye and pike, but also looking to get into Lake Trout this year.

Thanks folks!

It’s not really out of the city, but Cobblestone lake in Apple Valley is non-motorized and has quite a few Walleye and tons of decent LMB in it. I’ve trolled the lake quite a bit with my 14′ canoe and trolling motor. It can be a daunting drag, but the parking area is only a 100′ give or take from shore. No pike, however.

3 state parks you should check out this summer where an electric boat would work well:
Monson Lake
Glacial Lakes
Glendalough

Another option to consider are rivers. There are a lot of canoe access sites that would be perfect for your set up. For example the Mississippi River from Palasade to Highway 169 or all the way down into Aitken. Lots of SMB, walleye, Norther and an occasional musky in this area. Camp sites along the way to make a weekend out of it. Litterally hundreds of miles of river to explore.

Here is a link to the DNR page with ramp listings and camping spots.

Zoom in on the rivers to see access points and camping areas.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/interactive_map/index.html

-J.

Edit to add Video.

Here is a short vid of me, FW and FD fishing the Miss in the section between Palasade and Aitken. Just to give you an idea of the scenery. Average depth up there is about 5-6 foot. Deep holes at 10 ft with a lot in between.

Little long lake in minnetrista. Great crappie fishing. The locals will hate you, every one there just floats on tubes but I always fish threw the frowns

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Lots of reading to do now!

@mericaneagle, I checked the DNR survey for Cobblestone and that lake holds the elusive GREEN SUNFISH so I will definitely put it on the list

@jonj — Great point, I need to get out of my narrow view of what “river” means. I can’t fight the current on my normal haunts right now, but this would be a good opportunity to head to the shallower spots on the upper Miss.

I enjoy fishing Cobblestone. It’s a fun lake that doesn’t get too much pressure. If you decide to hit up Cobblestone PM me and I can help you paddle. I have only fished it in the winter since I don’t have a boat without a motor.

FYI… you can fill out a day trip permit for the bwca. You do it onsite and place it in a box. No charge. Brule and sawbill lakes would be good options.

There are many other lakes outside the BWCA that have stream Trout. It’ll take some bribery to get those lake names out of me though.

Bearcat89 wrote:

Little long lake in minnetrista. Great crappie fishing. The locals will hate you, every one there just floats on tubes but I always fish threw the frowns

you’ve caught crappies on that lake? ive trolled it a few times but the shoreline goes from 2ft to 10ft to 80ft in a hurry. ive only ever caught pike myself.

pool2fool what happened to your motorboat?

crappie55369 wrote:

pool2fool what happened to your motorboat?

Won’t bore you w/ the details, but I had to sell it unfortunately. The boat bank is getting small deposits from every check but it’ll be awhile ’til I’m back up and running.

I’m lucky to have a “backup” boat for the interim. It’s not nearly as comfortable or easy, but I’m hoping to come out the other end of this thing a more well-rounded angler with a greater variety of experience under my belt.

Smith lake IA,Electric motor only lake with a bass size limit of 18 inches. Bass get big there! You could make a fun weekend with all the small ponds down that way. Cylinder,Whittemore,St.Benidict,Huralburt,and more.

brad-o wrote:

Smith lake IA,Electric motor only lake with a bass size limit of 18 inches. <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>Bass get big there! You could make a fun weekend with all the small ponds down that way. Cylinder,Whittemore,St.Benidict,Huralburt,and more.

Thanks — and hey, Brad-o wins the medal for being the first person to suggest a lake outside of MN!

I could take you to a good one in the metro but I would have to blindfold you! Long in Pine Springs used to be pretty good but it did get hit pretty hard a couple of years ago. Do you have portage wheels(kind with the bike tires) these come in handy big time-they are deigned for canoes but work fine for other small boats. Good luck

tim hurley wrote:

I could take you to a good one in the metro but I would have to blindfold you! Long in Pine Springs used to be pretty good but it did get hit pretty hard a couple of years ago. Do you have portage wheels(kind with the bike tires) these come in handy big time-they are deigned for canoes but work fine for other small boats. Good luck

I’ve got wheels. On level ground I could pull this thing a long ways without tiring with just the TM hanging on it.

BTW-cannot use them in the BWCA (most trails are too rough for them anyway)

You can use wheels on the portages to motorized lakes, just not the not motorized which you would have to row anyway.

Yes I designed the wheels with the fall/newton and similar portage in mind. However all the motor permits for that area and basswood are claimed for my week. Hoping to get up there in September.

My tentative plans for this week:

Tuesday on the cuyuna area mine pits for stream trout and swimming in that clear water. Camp there.

Wednesday on the upper miss around palisade.

And if we can make it and weather is good, Wednesday night launch boat on ML.

Home for a day to drop off my kid and touch base.

Thursday/Friday on a lake trout spot near, but probably not in, the Bwca.

Like said, you can get day trip permits and pack lighter, for quicker in and out. Good luck!

you’ve caught crappies on that lake? ive trolled it a few times but the shoreline goes from 2ft to 10ft to 80ft in a hurry. ive only ever caught pike myself.

Yes I’ve pulled some really nice crappies out of that lake. It does drop very fast. I usually fish very shallow. And I find it peacful to listen to the shooting from the range over the hill all day

Little Carnelian has a public access with a “portage” to the lake. Rolling terrain, wide and fairly short. I take a pulk sled in the winter. Might work.

@bearcat Any tips? Depths? Is there a landing? Why do the locals get so ticked if the lake doesn’t get hit hard?? Thanks for the info