Well, that depends on the season.

Winter...it's a snowmobilers paradise.  I was there for two days last week before the MN melt-off this week.  There was three ft of snow on the ice and 4-6" water under that.

Stayed at Thunderbird Lodge outside of I-Falls.  There were literaly HUNDREDS of snowmobilers in the area.  The lakes are groomed with trails.  We rode the woods from I-Falls to Kabetogama on day one.  Kabetogama had at least 5 pubs open serving the masses.  Stopped for a brew at Kec's Kove.  Then we rode the lakes back...N Kabetogama, Rainey.

Day two we drove down to Ash River...the place was a complete zoo.  There were at least 7-8 places open on the river and sleds galore.  We drove the woods for 30 miles to Crane Lake.  I got a pic of Voyagaire's lodge with at least thirty sleds parked out front.  We then rode the lakes back to Ash river....Crane...Moose....Sandpoint....Namakan for near 40 miles.  Was a complete hoot.

Very little in the way of ice fishing going on.

Summer...many lodges/resorts and great fishing.  Tons of people, BUT, the lakes are sooo large, you can find a place to get away if you try.  Many houseboat rentals on the big lakes.  It definatly does not have the aire of solitude that the BWCA has.