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Matt Doyle
Guest Paddler
  
06/08/2017 10:08AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hey everyone, was wondering if anyone could help me out with a few things.

We are limited for time and are coming down from winnipeg wednesday night this summer. only have from thurs - sun to get a lil camping in. Just curious what lake and EP would be best to use for a couple beginner paddlers with 1 novice. Looking for something with a few portages near by but nothing that will take half a day or so in paddling + walking just to get to a new lake. If theres nothing and we are stuck to 1 lake for the weekend(not ideal but will have to settle for) which one would be recommended for fishing?

we're planning to go 7 weeks from now and dont have permits yet either. Is this something we should work on getting now or can it wait till we get down there?

Ive read a few reports on the site but am having trouble locating the lakes mentioned on maps.
 
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ryebread26
distinguished member (267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/08/2017 11:50AM  
not sure what EP to direct you to, but you should pick one soon and try to get a permit as early as you can. they fill up quick
06/08/2017 01:04PM  
To find lakes, click the "Maps & Entry Points" tab at the top of the BWCA.com web page. Choose BWCA Maps" from the drop- down list. On the next page, choose BWCA Lake Maps. A list of lakes will appear on the next page. Clicking on a lake name will open a map showing the lake in its context.
Northwoodsman
distinguished member(2059)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/08/2017 04:17PM  
Welcome Matt. How about #38 Sawbill Lake? An outfitter and a National Forest Service campground right at the entry point. Very easy portages to other lakes, or you can stay right on Sawbill Lake. Heck you could even stay right at the campground and issue yourself a free day permit each day. Sawbill Outfitters is on site and they just don't get any better. You could also enter at one of the two other nearby EP's Kawishiwi Lake or Baker Lake. Sawbill Lake will give you lake paddling and easy portages. Kawishiwi will give you lake and river paddling with long easy portages. Baker will give you lake and river paddling with a mixture of portages. This area is in the SE part of the BWCA at the end of the Sawbill Trail. It's about 45 minutes from Lake Superior and Tofte, MN.
06/08/2017 06:58PM  
Forgive my ignorance, I don't know much about Canada, hence where you're coming from. One of the simplest routes is EP 47 from Rockford Lodge into Poplar, which isn't BWCA, into Lizz, Caribou, then wherever. Lots of lakes, short portages, but also other people. No big lakes, no major navigating.
Timber02
member (9)member
  
06/09/2017 07:13AM  
Trying to help you with a map thing but links are not allowed I guess....the website is something like "paddle" and "planner" one word. Helped me a lot.
Matt Doyle
Guest Paddler
  
06/09/2017 10:21AM  
Thanks! we actually decided on this lake last night. love the idea of launching right at a dock plus civilisation being so close by in case anything was to go wrong. Being able to then do portages after we set up and looks like the 2 portages near by are nice and short! thanks!
fsupp
distinguished member (132)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/11/2017 12:36AM  
EP 47 is a great choice. Horseshoe Lake has prime moose viewing, and don't neglect yourselves, eat at Trail Center before or after your trip, or before and after.
06/11/2017 02:00PM  
Hi Matt.

I hope you got your permit and are making your plans. I love the Poplar/Lizz entry point and the options it gives for a great trip are many. We have seen many moose on Horseshoe Lake, and have some good memories from our times on the lakes in that area.

Now a couple more suggestions from a "veteran" tripper.

We were all newbies once. There is a great deal of information available on this message board; become a member, read all that you can, and ask questions. People will give you lots of good advice, and much of it (probably not all) will be very valuable to you.

Thursday through Sunday is a very short trip for the Boundary Waters. You will need to plan your trip in order to make the most of your time. If you do start from Rockwood Lodge, try to get there when you could spend the night before at the bunkhouse (the night before your permit begins) and start your trip EARLY. Campsites fill up early in the day and that area is a fairly busy one. You cannot expect to find an open campsite if you start looking at 4 PM.

Make an early camp and THEN go fishing!

Wear your PFD.
Take and wear sunscreen.
Take a camera and use it. This is beautiful country!

Have some good rain gear. We all think that the weather will be beautiful on the days of "our trip", but sometimes that isn't the case. Once we are out there, we have to deal with the weather that we get. Be prepared for three days of rain, or three days of wind and cold. Even in the summer.

Many of us have trip reports in that section of the message board. If you want to read trip reports, look for that icon under our name at the left. The ones of us with the most "trees" usually have the most experience and the most trip reports, but you can't count on that. We are just the ones who talk the most.

Good luck to you and have a great trip!
Kawnipi1
senior member (77)senior membersenior member
  
06/12/2017 12:33AM  
Hello and welcome Matt. I see your coming from Winnepeg, Do you have a preference of visiting Quetico or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area?

I have visited Quetico many times and entered in thru #12 Pickerel Lake (French Lake) a few times. There are a few entry points on the north side of Quetico along with French/Pickerel Lakes including #21 Batchewaung Lake and #22 Sue Falls. Atikokan is near by all three entry points.

All three of these entry points offer great access to Quetico and an easy trip for first timers. One of several things to consider in planning a trip besides your entry point is the travel time to that entry point and the effect it will have on your time inside either park. I would suggest maximize your time enjoying where you are going by planing easy access and simple trip and then use that experience to plan future trips.

IMO from someone planning on a trip from the Canadian side an entry into Quetico thru one of the Pickerel Lake entry points would offer a great first time experience.

K


06/15/2017 04:41PM  
I agree wholeheartedly with Sawbill. We went on your second trip, which was our first trip alone. We then took our niece and hubby on their first trip to wet their feet. New to BWCA and new to canoeing. It's far enough to feel away and close enough to leave if need be.

Have fun! Exciting!

~~
 
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