Seagull Lake is a beautiful, island-studded lake, right on the edge of the BWCA. Motor traffic is allowed on a small section of the lake to the east of Three Mile Island. Once you paddle past that, you’ll feel deep in the wilderness. No portaging is needed at all if you don’t want to with this trip – making it a great option for kayakers. Several campsites on Seagull Lake have sand beaches, making this a favorite route for parents taking their toddlers on their first Boundary Waters adventure.
Paddle away from the landing, find a nice campsite and settle in for as long as you’d like. Seagull is a great fishing lake with all four of the major sport species present. Find the Palisades on the north side and take the short hike up to the top of this 60+ foot cliff for a picnic with a view. Day trip into Grandpa Lake for some fierce northern pike action. Leave your canoe behind and hike the beautifully rugged Paulson (J.A.P) portage. Paddle over to the Seagull River rapids. Day trip over to Alpine Lake for more fishing and check out the rapids into Jasper Lake. Hunt for brook trout (and bass) in Rog Lake. If you visit in late July or early August, remember to pack some berry containers for the abundant blueberries and raspberries growing in the sections of the lake affected by the Cavity Lake and Ham Lake wildfires of 2006 and 2007. When you are ready to head home, just pack up and paddle back to the landing!
US Forest Service entry permit needed – #54 Seagull Lake or #54A Seagull Lake Only
Maps for this route –
- Fisher Maps – F32
- McKenzie Maps – 6
This trip starts from the Seagull Lake landing and requires no portaging.
Fishing on the Seagull Lake Base Camp Canoe Route
| Lake | Fish Species | Maximum Depth | Notes |
| Seagull | Burbot, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye | 145 ft | |
| Rog | Brook Trout, Burbot, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye | 40 ft | Designated trout lake |
| Alpine | Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye | 65 ft | |
| Paulson | Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout | 60 ft |
Snapshots from this route
Seagull Lake Palisades. Hike the trail to the top for a spectacular view!
View from Seagull Lake’s north shore.
A hidden waterfall on Seagull Lake’s south shore
False Lily of the Valley blooming in a Seagull Lake campsite
Sunset on Seagull Lake’s south shore
Fishing in the Alpine River
As a wildfire recovery area, Seagull Lake’s south shore boasts the largest wild blueberries you’ll ever see.
