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I'm toying around with the idea of purchasing a cabin in the ely area. I'm giving some thought to a place on Shagawa. I've also heard good things about Birch. Since I don't know the area well, I thought I would see what you guys can give me some feedback. Is big V in a class by itself?

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I love the ely area. Although I have never fished birch, I haved fished the Kawishiwi river (same water) and it has great fishing. Birch will have less traffic,more solitude, and good fishing. I have heard that fishing birch in mid summer can get tough. Shagawa, has lots of opportunities for smallies, eyes, pannies but it gets fished much more and will have more traffic. I would go with Birch.

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Been by Shagawa and Birch but never fished. Fished Burntside a bunch and Vermilion a whole bunch more. Whole different feel from one another. Burntside clear and super deep, V stained and not as deep. Both have lots of rocks for your lower unit, so they're about even there. LOL I think Burntside has less boat traffic and houses than V. You can get into BWCA from both. Ely as a town has more stuff than Tower. We have a place near Tower and love it. Also some property WAY up on the Echo trail where there is nothing for miles. Love it too when we want to get away from everything.

It's all good. Maybe spend some time on each lake/area before giving em the dough and bring plenty of dough cause if you're on the water you'll need it to buy a place.

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I used to work at a resort on birch and still guide there..not as often as I would like..but if you are loking for a lake that is like the boundary waters ..birch can do that for you...the fishing is pretty good...some real good walleye fishing,pike and crappies,,and now days there is smallmouth in birch...it is a shallow very dark lake...wich can make fishing tough at times in mid summer...but there is always something to catch..I would also go with birch...shagawa is a good lake..but it is sort of right in the middle of ely...more traffic overall...good luck and set the hook!!!

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I have fished Birch some (not near as much as Gary), I guided on Shagawa some, and Gary is right; Birch is more wilderness like lake and the fishing is better than Shagawa. Though Shagawa can be awful good to at times for walleyes. It is also true that Shagawa gets kinda busy in the summer. But , if the rest of your family is into the shopping and eating out thing you can't beat being closer to Ely.

David Swenson

http://muskieguide.homestead.com/

http://baileystackle.homestead.com/

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My family is into #1 Fishing, #2 Fishing, and #3 fishing. I think #4 might be scenic beauty. We love the whole Ely area. Sounds like Birch is something we should consider?

GO VIKES!!

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more species of fish in vermilion...not as many gills and bass in birch...plenty of pike and walleye...though..the crappies are fairly healthy now also..if you can do a place anywhere up here ..do it!!!

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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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