Sorry I didn't respond earlier - I just saw the message. My wife and I stayed in this area 8/11 - 8/14. We planned on looping up to Winchell/ Omega then down through the Cone lakes. Unfortunately we had a bad thunderstorm on the second day (as we were packing up), since everything was soaked we decided to base camp on north (or Echo) Bay on Brule - we did day trips from there. We caught a few Smallies on Brule. Did a day trip to Echo and caught a few Walleye (and a northern). We did a day trip - up to Winchell and back down through the Cone lakes (took about 9 hours including a 1 hour lunch/swim on Winchell) The 7/4/99 storm damage on the portage between Lily and Mulligan is impresive. Winchell is very pretty - a very clear lake and good for swimming, you can also explore the fire damaged area. We only passed through Cliff and Cone lakes. Cone had a few hills on it but other than that it was unimpressive. I don't remember much of the Cone lakes other than when heading south we didn't have to take any of the portages because the water was high enough.

My recommendation - if your going fo the scenery stay on Winchell or Brule. If your going for the fishing (walleye and small mouth) stay on Brule or one of the Cone lakes.

Have fun!

Posted by Bill on August 22, 2000 at 08:17