In late August 2015 I went with my brother and his two teenage sons (all three were on their first canoe trip) to North Bay.  We stayed three nights at a real nice site on the north side of the big island right as you enter North Bay from Burke.

The fishing was good from shore as well as around the nearby islands. We then packed up and moved to the north end at a real big 5 star site.  Better fishing here especially the east side bays. We all caught sm bass, northerns and some nice large mouth bass.  A few token walleye also.

I think North Bay is a great first destination for newbies as long as the wind isn't up a lot. We were wind bound the first few days on the big exposed island.  And as Old Salt mentioned, crossing Bayley Bay is like playing roulette.  You can take the long portage from Inlet Bay to Poacher Lake then Sunday Lk. if real windy that first day. Have fun.

You also might think about Shade Lake as a destination.  Lots of day trip options in smaller water in all directions from there.  Getting there on Day One won't be a problem if you get an early start from the ranger station.