Snowbank Lake

[Doop]

Has anyone fished this lake? Done a little research and it looks like a good lake. More interested in ice fishing it than anything.

[Steve Foss]

Doop, Snowbank is a solid ice lake for lakers and walleyes. While there's good walleye water and some good laker water on the motorized side, a lot of laker folks drive out on the ice road to the BWCAW line and tow their gear further in on foot.

If by research you mean you've looked at a map, then you get the picture. Some of the nicest laker water is over the line.

I've only fished snowbank a few times. Most of my time is spent on Bside because laker numbers are better, size seems better (from the folks I've talked to who fish Snowbank lakers), and you can drive/snowmobile/ATV anywhere on Bside with no restrictions. The last is probably the biggest reason I stick with Bside. More water and all easily accessible, and if I want a wilderness experience I'll walk into Trout Lake off Vermilion.

I'm not saying there aren't big lakers in Snowbank, because there are. Just a personal preference thing. Not that I'd pass up a trip to Snowbank with someone who really knows that lake. There are a handful of real Snowbank experts in the area. I'm just not one of them.

[finnbay]

Doop,

Have fished this lake in the winter for 30 years. Is a fair lake trout lake in the early season. By the third and fourth weekends, slows down a lot. There are some northerns to be had in the southeast corner of the lake, but not many fish for them there in the winter. Virtually no walleyes caught in the winter.

It does, however, have a very good walleye population and in the summer can be very good at times. Probably better known for it's summer smallies.

[Steve Foss]

Ken, I think you and I are going to have to make a trip in there just after laker opener next year.

I'd heard better winter walleye reports word-of-mouth than what you said, so I wonder where they go in winter? Have you winter fished for them in the shallower bays or out in the deeper water?

[finnbay]

Steve,

Snowbank walleyes are a lot like Burntside walleyes. Clear water and good feed makes 'em finicky at times. I've fished a fair amount of Snowbank for lakers and a little for northerns in the winter, and have never come across a walleye even by accident.

A trip to Snowbank? I think it can be arranged!

[Steve Foss]

Cool man! Walleyes aren't on my winter menu much anyway.

[cashcrews]

I used to fish Snowbank quite a bit in the winter. Like Stfcatfish, I moved over to Burntside because of motorized access to all parts of the lake. Seems like on Snowbank, the majority of good laker water is on the BWCA side, and I don't have that much ambition to hike long distances for them. That being said, I've caught some lake trout on the non-BWCA side and seen some nice ones over the years. Smitty's is a great resort to stay at and they keep a real nice road maintained throughout the winter.

Regarding the Snowbank walleyes, the summer bite was real good about a half-dozen years back. I haven't been in there much since. While ice fishing for lakers, I caught a chunky 18 incher off the bottom in 72 FOW one time. I also saw a guy catch one out of about 50 feet, that time it was a real nice 25 incher.

Snowbank was always fun after dark in the winter, you'd catch lots of eelpout. Rarely any over 5 lbs, but they were plentiful! We would try fishing for walleyes after dark, but I'm not sure I ever caught one while trying that...just the pouts.