Trip summary
Little Trout Lake 10-day (quick)
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Sponsored · Trip provided by Voyageur North Canoe Outfitters
- East Vermilion40.3 mi²
- Trout11.6 mi²
- Cummings1.62 mi²
- Pine1.30 mi²
- Little Trout0.82 mi²
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Trip Overview
This 10-day loop enters through Trout Lake (EP #1) and winds through a diverse chain of lakes including Cummings, Buck, Chad, and Pine before returning to East Vermilion, covering 35 miles with 15 portages through the heart of the BWCA. Expect a rewarding mix of big open water paddling and challenging portage days that reward patience with increasingly remote and peaceful campsites.
Fishing Highlights
Trout Lake is the standout fishery on this route, offering lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and more across nearly 7,500 acres — troll deep for lakers or work rocky points for walleye and smallmouth. Little Trout and Pine lakes are also excellent options for walleye and smallmouth, while Cummings rewards patient anglers targeting northern pike and largemouth bass.
Packing Tips
- •Pack portage-friendly gear — with 15 carries including one monster 465-rod haul, every ounce matters, so trim unnecessary weight ruthlessly before you launch.
- •Bring blister and muscle relief supplies such as moleskin, ibuprofen, and a foam roller or massage ball to help recover during rest days like Day 5 on Cummings.
- •A lightweight fishing rod and basic tackle (jigs, spinners, spoons) is well worth the weight given the outstanding multi-species fishing on Trout, Cummings, Pine, and Little Trout lakes.
- •Pack a reliable rain layer and extra dry bags — extended trips in the BWCA almost always encounter at least one full day of rain, and wet gear on a 10-day trip is miserable.
- •Bring a detailed waterproof map or laminated printout of the full route — the transition from River Lake through Otter to Cummings on Day 4 involves complex navigation through multiple small portages.
Permit Info
Entry is through EP #1 Trout Lake with a daily quota of 12 groups — this is a popular entry point, so reserve your permit well in advance through Recreation.gov, especially for summer weekends and holiday weeks. Note that your first night is spent on East Vermilion, which is outside the BWCA Wilderness boundary, so your permit clock for interior travel begins when you cross into Trout Lake on Day 2.
Day 1
Rest dayArrival day on expansive East Vermilion Lake — with no paddling required, use this time to set up camp, organize gear, and get a feel for the water before the journey begins tomorrow.
Day 2
HardA moderate 4.9-mile paddle across East Vermilion leads to a single 129-rod portage into massive Trout Lake, one of the largest and most fish-rich lakes on the route — keep lines in the water for lake trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass.
Day 3
HardPush deeper into the wilderness with a 150-rod portage into intimate Little Trout Lake, a small gem with only 3 campsites that offers excellent walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in a quieter, more secluded setting.
Day 4
StrenuousThe toughest day of the trip arrives with 8 portages totaling 549 rods and over 7 miles of paddling through River Lake and Otter Lake before reaching the relative comfort of Cummings — dig deep and reward yourself with a well-earned campsite on this beautiful lake.
Day 5
EasyA well-deserved rest day on Cummings Lake — explore the shoreline, cast for northern pike, smallmouth bass, or bluegill, and let your shoulders recover before the next stretch of portaging ahead.
Day 6
StrenuousToday's highlight is the trip's longest portage at 465 rods — a serious carry into Buck Lake that demands energy and patience, but the payoff is a dramatic sense of remoteness and a quiet two-campsite lake all to yourself.
Day 7
StrenuousA short but satisfying 1.4-mile paddle followed by a 211-rod portage delivers you to Chad Lake, a peaceful body of water with largemouth bass, northern pike, and bluegill tucked into its wooded shores.
Day 8
StrenuousPaddle out of Chad and haul over a 253-rod portage to reach Pine Lake, a mid-sized lake with 10 campsites and solid fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike — a great place to spend your penultimate night.
Day 9
StrenuousA 270-rod portage reconnects you with the vast waters of Trout Lake, where you can enjoy one final night under the stars on a lake offering world-class fishing for lake trout, walleye, and more before tomorrow's exit.
Day 10
HardThe final 1.3-mile paddle and a familiar 129-rod portage carry you back across the threshold into East Vermilion and out to the entry point, completing a memorable 10-day loop through some of the BWCA's finest wilderness.