BWCA First trip! 8 days Ep 19 Stuart River Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Theonidas
member (5)member
  
05/30/2017 07:39PM  
3 of us are going out Saturday morning 6/3. We plan on staying a couple nights at Stuart lake, up the Dahlgren to LLC for a couple days, back down through Agnes, and maybe oyster for a day or two to try for Lakers. Then finally staying the last night at Nina Moose and coming in early Saturday on EP 16 from the Nina moose River. I feel like we're pretty well prepared but any last minute tips or info are greatly appreciated. Water levels, route, fishing, campsites, etc.
 
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05/30/2017 08:25PM  
If it were me, I'd include a couple days on Iron. You have picked a beautiful area.
gymcoachdon
distinguished member(599)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/30/2017 09:22PM  
My first trip was entering Stuart as well. Loved it! Take lots of water, I had 3 32 ounce Nalgenes, and drank them all well before I hit Stuart Lake. You can filter water from the river, but most recommend not to, as it could clog your filter more quickly. You will probably have a few beaver dams to negotiate.
I recommend the campsite across from the Dahlgren portage. It is the nicest I have stayed at so far. And speaking of the Dahlgren portage, don't miss it! A beautiful walk through some old pines, and a pretty waterfall at the end.
I did the Dahlgren as a day trip, then continued the next day up to Iron, through Dark, Rush, Fox, (order probably wrong!) Tough first portage, but I read it has been cleared since I went. Iron is an awesome lake, with a nice waterfall on the east end, and Bottle portage on the west to take you to LLC and finish your trip! At least consider the option, but it is your trip! Have fun, I will be starting my first Quetico trip a few weeks after you start yours, so I know the excitement!
05/31/2017 06:54AM  
Lovely route. Stuart EP 19 may be my favorite EP.

A couple points of interest as you exit via Nina Moose. Nina Moose Lake has an ice cold ground water spring on the west side of the lake roughly 1/2 way between the 225 r portage to Lamb Lake and the western most campsite. It is about 10 yards beyond the shore near some large boulders. There is often an opening in the aquatic vegitaion leading to the area.

Also, shortly after you leave Nina Moose lake beyond the switch backs in the river, there is a turn off on the east side of Nina Moose river. There are are trails to the top of the ridge with a great view of where you've just been. A little later in the year, there are a lot of blueberries to pick on the way up to the top. It is worth stopping and checking it out.
deadedwest
member (11)member
  
05/31/2017 02:45PM  
We were catching a lot of nice size small mouth bass and crappies in the Dahigren River to the north of Stuart Lake. We couldn't find really anything to catch in Stuart Lake when I was there four years ago. I've heard there are walleye in the lake, but that's one fish I'm just not great at going after.
05/31/2017 02:53PM  
I would love to hear about your trip afterwards, water levels, favorite campsites, etc. I'll be going in the same EP 10 days after you. I've been to Iron a lot. The South Island campsite is my favorite, but there aren't really an bad ones on that lake. Checkout Peterson Bay and fish back there a bit. I have had good luck with W, SM, and Crappies back there. Personal record is a 17" crappie, as Our President would say "it was hyuuuge".
 
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