I will be taking my 13-year old son to the BWCA for a 3-day trip in mid-July. He has been to the BWCA on several trips, and I have been on about 15 trips, with all but one from the Gunflint side. I have not been to Ely since 1980, so it's a blank slate to me. Looking for something with no more than three portages, good walleye/bass fishing, and preferably moving water (we usually fish moving water and have good luck doing so). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is one possibility.

Nice trip report :)

Little Indian Sioux R-Shell
Moose R-Agnes
Mudro-Horse or Fourtown
Little Gabbro-Gabbro or Bald Eagle

All good fishing. Something memorable on every route.

EP 32 South Kawishiwi or EP33 Lil Gabbro and then hop back over to the river to end up at the same area near Clear Lake. 32 is less portaging/more paddling than 33. Plenty of moving water nearby as well as nice campsites.

JD

You might look at what permits are available - July is filling up - that might determine where you go.
Moose Lake over to Ensign - good fishing - easy portages

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Booked the Kawishiwi River via entry point 31. That is exactly the type of trip I was looking for. This board is an awesome resource for fellow BWCA travelers!

The portage into Clear is a breeze, the 210-rod portage along the North Kawishiwi is more difficult.

There is a nice campsite on the north shore of Clear and the island site is decent. Would be an easy day trip into the South Kawishiwi from there where you could get to 2-3 rapids quickly.

Also a couple nice sites along that stretch of the South Kawishiwi. I love that area. Have fun!

One more thing, read Sigurd Olson's "No Place Between" on the trip. You will have covered a portion of his late winter hike route on the way in.

Great area! My first solo was 3 years ago to that area and I loved it. I did the Kawishiwi Triangle starting at #32 the South Kawishiwi River EP. One night I stayed at the island site on Clear mentioned above. It was a nice site. There are a lot of really nice sites on the river.

quote schweady: "Little Indian Sioux R-Shell
Moose R-Agnes
Mudro-Horse or Fourtown
Little Gabbro-Gabbro or Bald Eagle


All good fishing. Something memorable on every route.
"

I second bothers choices. Done both and had good results all times.
I do lean toward the mudro option for a short day trip down the horse river over to the pictos beyond the lower basswood falls. Probably not enough time in 3 day trip though. Be aware the portage back into Mudro is a bit of workout.