Thinking of taking a 3 day canoe trip up into Basswood fishing. Gonna drive 11 hrs for 3 days fishing.
Haven't been in a canoe for years...
Been using a boat to fish.
Thinking on using portage wheels for the 2 portage from Fall lake into Basswood.
Not sure if base camping or try and go loop over to moose.
No frills trip.
Strictly fishing.
Have never tripped past mid july...
Was curious about what to expect in a typical year.probably no leeches that time of year..
Gonna target big fish . All 4 majors.. mainly big eyes..
I expect less to no bugs.
Will water have started to cool down yet?
Really leaning on base camping and just Fishing the west side......

Any advise....

Ahem.......I thought you were retired big guy? Why just 3 days? You will feel like you just got there.......Set up camp, sit out a rain day, take a dump, wipe your butt and all of a sudden its time to go home. Go for 5 days, thats better IMO. Bring a book, I strongly suggest "Wild". She is a train wreck but very readable......interesting and amusing.

Not so sure you can use wheeled portage aids. I bet the fine would be steep enough to encourage those who might have a flexible idea of what that means to think twice.

What about a tow? Get dropped off close to where you want to fish? Or put in at Moose lake and make the short portage into Basswood. In 1/2 day you could be where you want.........weather permitting ;-)

As per fishing advice I know the Canadian side of Basswood but not so much the American side. I like the topo of Pipestone bay however, looks like good drifting water with Lindy rigs and crawlers. Big Pike ought to start thinking about eating as well.

Probably will be quiet and pretty that time of year.

Get this.

You are allowed to use portage wheels on those portages between Fall and Basswood. If looking for walleye, looks for the reefs on your map. There is a big island campsite straight out from Basswood river, good size walleye on the reefs just south of the island. Water will be cooler. Leeches will probably be gone, try minnows or crawlers if you need to use live bait. Most of the bugs will be gone, might still see a few skeeters at dusk. I agree 3 days is not long enough, but if that is all you can do, it is better than 0 days :)

I'll be up there from the 13th to the 18th....I got dibs one of the sandbar sites in Pipestone, haha (so I think). I'll be canoeing, and with my inexperienced-paddler sister who has NEVER been to the BWCA. So I am staying off the big water out in Basswood, though I might venture into upper Jackfish/Pipestone. Pipestone has some really great walleye fishing, and finding reefs, sunken points, etc are where the fish are generally located. I've also caught them right off of the sandbar sites at night using twistertails tipped with crawlers. One of the sandbar campsites has a nice drop off at the end of the sand that you can cast over from shore. The walleyes move up into this area at dusk and feed. I've caught some really nice walleyes this way...strictly catch and release at that hour. Anyway, not sure when you are going but if you are there when I am...see you on the trail!

September is a great time to go, though most outfitters will tell you that Labor And Memorial weekends are the busiest time on both sides of the border in terms of number of people. You're right about the bugs, won't be many. Long bouts of high wind are more common at this time of year than through the summer, great for walleye fishing, sometimes a challenge for paddling. When you find fish, they are often stacked up in September. Don't give up on leeches, they may still be around though I have heard many say that fish prefer minnows in Autumn anyway. Water will be cooler or cooling. In terms of weather, one September trip we had a glass calm 75 degree day and an evening of "winter mix" precipitation in the same week, so be prepared for anything. Have a great time.

Mt. Yeah I'm retired.
Might be all my buddy can do. I'm ok with that. 3 good days of fishing from canoe will get me back in the water. And thinking about more canoe trips.
I think Basswood will be my target for a while.more so the west side.
I've done the Prairie side many times. Since motor permits are so hard to get Ive decided to explore jackfish and pipestone more.
Ive only been on that side 1 time with portage wheels and boat so I know its legal.
With a fused ankle new knee and rotator cuff surgery don't really have a desire to throw a canoe over my head and walk on rocks. This will get me into some good fishing with minimal effort.
I'm not worried about boat traffic or people. The small amount I will see won't get me all depressed.
I think the west side is a different fishery then the prairie side.
I appreciate all that info everyone. Thank you.
The 1st year I retired my buddy and I hired a guide so I have a marked map but that was for late may.. Different fish different places.... Truthfully I was hoping to toss some more cranks and swim baits as im usually using more live bait in June.

Yup life can be challenging at times. Dealing with a few physical "issues" myself.

Pause, take a breath, think about the next series of movements. Be methodical, be slow.......Maintain good posture, do you have a backrest for your canoe? Can make the dif when putting in a long fishing day.

Sounds like you got it going on. You know me, when I get on new water the first thing I do is set the trolling rods and take a spin and see if anyone wants to play. I like bigger lures in the fall as lots of baitfish and fry have grown up......at least that's the theory. Swimbaits and cranks, your talking my language.

I like a Super Shad Rap in perch with a 15lb Knot-2-kinky 9" wire leader on 20lb braid. Don't be surprised to pop a few big walleyes with it as well. Seems a good bet your time of year. Runs about 15ft on a troll, casts to about 10.

MT, ya I have a back test for the canoe. Wouldn't have it any other way. Several questions I had was canoes.....
I've only ever used aluminium Grumman canoes. Never the lightweight stuff.
Should I try the lightweight stuff or stay with the sturdy aluminium one.
And since I'm using a portage wheel is it ok the use the lightweight stuff.

Another question is there appears to be a short cut from jackfish to Palestine half way up. Are there any portage or can it be paddled the whole way?

MT... man it's funny. I'm so methodical in the way I walk.practically planning every step. My balance with a fused rt ankle is terrible.

I just won a yet I tundra cooler so I'm thinking 3 day of food a couple ratchet straps and I'll see if it is bear resistant........
I was also wondering about the Lakers that time of year.

Was thinking u.s. point would be the farthest I would venture...

Aluminum or Kev.......I dunno.

I used a Grumman square stern for many years but it had a 4hp merc. Sweet set up. The Kev seems easier to paddle distance but is certainly not something that takes the wrong kind of abuse well.

Skip the ratchet straps for your Yeti and instead use an actual lock.....there are holes provided. Two locks, one on each corner would be ideal. Sealed thusly it would take a determined effort. Straps wouldn't work imo.

Not sure about lakers other than in North Bay (Quetico).

Thank you my friend..

A few other thoughts on choice of canoe........I dont see any problem using a wheeled aid with a Kevlar boat unless you REALLY loaded it down. Put some loose items, tackle boxes, paddles, maybe even your cooler etc. in with no problem.

What I wouldn't want to do is step into a Kev boat unless it was in the water. Even then it might still be fine, but then again maybe not. But I have limited experience and knowledge concerning the strength of canoes and various materials. Perhaps some one else will give you the skinny on what you shouldn't do with a kev boat.

My buddy has a Bell Northwind (Northwoods?......its 18ft ) in Kevlar and it is a supremely wonderful boat. Rock solid even in choppy water......I think it would suit bigger folks rather well.

I don't think you will have any issues using portage wheels with a Kevlar canoe.