Basswood Lake, which makes up part of the historic fur trade route along the International border with Canada, is considered by many outdoor writers to be one of the best Smallmouth bass lakes in all of Minnesota and Canada. 

The productivity of Basswood Lake is due in part to the large volume of fertile water needed to grow numbers of large fish, along with a protein rich forage base (whitefish, cisco, etc). 

This trophy producing lake is home to the Minnesota state record Northern Pike (45 lb. 12 oz.) and walleyes up to 16 lbs.