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05/10/2017 04:37PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Scenario: 37 year old canoe trip experienced dad, taking three canoe trip experienced kids on a 5 night adventure. Kids are 10 (boy), 8(boy), and 6(girl). Entry date is June 25th, 2017 after spending the night in a bunkhouse/hotel/parking lot. One MN3, two large packs, and one backpack for each kid. 10 year old will be paddling in the bow.

Goals in order of importance: Swimming, Scenery, fishing, solitude, short portages.

On your mark.
Get set.
Go!
 
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05/10/2017 05:49PM  
Lake 1 or Nina Moose North on Ely side. East Bearskin on the Gunflint Trail. Neither have a lot of solitude, but you can find it if you look for it and travel a bit.
Sandman2009
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05/10/2017 05:49PM  
Hog Creek entry point to Perent Lake. Camp on islands on East side of lake. Nice big rocks to swim out to.
TuscaroraBorealis
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05/10/2017 06:06PM  
I think a trip to this area has great potential to be right in your wheelhouse. We didn't have much luck fishing on this particular trip but, the area is usually pretty decent. Alder & Canoe are probably the better swimming lakes but, for solitude try to get a site on Pierz or Crystal and then day trip to Johnson Falls and swim in the pool below the lower drop.
05/10/2017 06:39PM  
thx for the suggestions! nice report Tusc
05/11/2017 05:18AM  
Some areas that I've done with my kids that I liked are
Lizz EP 47 (lots of options of where to go from there)
Baker 39 saw lots of moose and had great walleye fishing on Jack
Sawbill 38 to Smoke Lake
Crocodile 66 basecamp/relative solitude without going very far/good walleye fishing
Cross Bay 50

I think small water with a young one in the bow is very important.
05/11/2017 06:06AM  
Good to hear from you Bud!
05/14/2017 05:34AM  
The Granite River has about everything you could ask for, rapids, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and most important good fishing. Start at Gunflint Lake and work your way to Big Sag.
05/14/2017 10:11PM  
And after your trip a visit to a cabin in Goodland Mn. :)
pswith5
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05/15/2017 04:52AM  
quote Captn Tony: "The Granite River has about everything you could ask for, rapids, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and most important good fishing. Start at Gunflint Lake and work your way to Big Sag. "
really, big sag with three kids in a canoe? I wouldn't.
05/15/2017 07:10AM  
quote pswith5: "
quote Captn Tony: "The Granite River has about everything you could ask for, rapids, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and most important good fishing. Start at Gunflint Lake and work your way to Big Sag. "
really, big sag with three kids in a canoe? I wouldn't. "


I wouldn't do Sag either with 3 younger kids, and only a 10 year old in the bow. However, the Granite River is a good trip for younger kids. Did this trip a couple years back with just myself and 9 year old son. No big water on the route, and you're usually protected from the wind.

We spent the night before at Seagull Outfitters in the bunkhouse, entry point at Gunflint, and spent a leisurely 4 days/3 nights on this route, then had Seagull pick us up at Sag Falls and tow us back to the outfitters, thus avoiding having to paddle Sag.

Decent fishing all over on this trip, the longest portage is just 100 rods, and you'll see some rapids and wildlife, and can find some border markers if you look for them. Very nice campsite on the north end of Clove Lake with a sandy beach is absolutely great for swimming,,,kids can go 50 feet out from shore and still be in just 3 feet of water.

I'd recommend this trip with the tow.
MikeinMpls
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05/15/2017 11:25AM  
I've done the Granite River at least 15 times. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Mike
05/17/2017 12:32PM  
I would second the Crocodile suggestion. Easy trip from East Bearskin. Could stay at lodge the night before. One portage with a nice little falls by it. Fun daytrip that is easy into the Vegetable lakes, and good fishing. Scenery is pretty good on the lake but not spectacular. Some cool rock formations on the east end in the Croc River.
05/17/2017 05:44PM  
Good to see some familiar faces around here! I have reserved a permit for kawishiwi river, EP32. Hoping to portage down to the water and find a camp somewhat close to the car, like maybe a couple hours up the river. Thx for all the great suggestions!

 
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