BWCA Entry 23 Base Camp Ideas? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Bigbriwi
distinguished member (106)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/04/2017 06:23PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
My wife and I will be entering in at Mudro the week of Labor Day, looking to do some base camping. Mainly looking for smallmouth and walleye fishing and doing some day trips. Fishing right from shore of camp a major bonus.

Was thinking of going in deeper, Boot, Gun, or Fairy for the week. Is there any of these you would recommend over the others for fishing? Site recommendations?

Thanks Guys,
Brian
 
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08/06/2017 09:46AM  
Big,
You can't really go wrong in this area, all great lakes and lots of nice sites.

On Boot Lake the second site, 1095, is a nice site with a good bear tree right in camp. There is a trail that leads to the backside of the campsite to a steep rock face with a way down to shore, great spot to fish for multiple species and good big walleye potential. I got my biggest ever there from shore.







Boot Lake walleye



Fairy Lake is a really cool little lake, I loved it. There are two good sites but if you can get the eastern one you will be loving it. Fishing is from camp is reportedly pretty good there too with smb, walleyes and good sized sunfish available.

If you go on to Gun it is also a very nice lake with water much clearer than the previous lakes. Good fishing for smb and eyes too. Site 1083 is a great one with a long rock point out front of camp for fishing, lounging and swimming. Great sunset views.







Gun Lake sunset



This is one of my favorite areas, enjoy
08/06/2017 09:46AM  
Oops
Hawley Canoe Guy
Guest Paddler
  
08/06/2017 07:43PM  
I know it's not as deep in as you'd like, but there's a GREAT site on Horse Lake on the east side right next to the beginning of the Horse River. It's the first site on the east side and it's on a pair of points. Big Red pines dot the point jutting out westward. You'll have amazing views of the lake. There's also a very nice sandy/swimming beach, which is a BWCA rarity. A day trip down the Horse River to Lower Basswood Falls should be in order as that's a site to see, as well as potential for fish!

Very fun area -- I've never been north of Horse or west of Fourtown, but it's on my bucket list! Good luck!
Bigbriwi
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08/06/2017 09:38PM  
Thanks for the tips guys, Horse just came on our radar the last couple days. So we might have to consider that now.
08/07/2017 03:54AM  
quote Bigbriwi: "Thanks for the tips guys, Horse just came on our radar the last couple days. So we might have to consider that now.
"



Horse lake had a permit specific for it. Or more like some Mudro permits don't allow camping on Horse. I can't remember. Just watch for that.
Bigbriwi
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08/09/2017 07:54AM  
Another quick question, does the Moosecamp Rive flow into Fourtown or out of Fourtown?

08/09/2017 08:13AM  
quote Bigbriwi: "Another quick question, does the Moosecamp Rive flow into Fourtown or out of Fourtown?


"


It flows into Fourtown...

I did a solo this spring to that area but it was the weekend before fishing opener so I can't help with fishing specifics. Moosecamp was my favorite lake of the trip, the campsite I used on Moosecamp is my favorite that I've ever stayed at in the bwca, and the 1hr 45 minute paddle down the Moosecamp River to Fourtown was my favorite part of the trip.

I went Mudro, Fourtown, Boot, Fairy, Gun, Moosecamp, Fourtown, Horse, Tin Can, Sandpit, Mudro.

Bigbriwi
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08/09/2017 02:37PM  
So we might do 4 days on Boot, Feiry, or Gun and a couple days on Moosecamp. Head back through the river down through Fourtown.

How much of a concern will water levels/beaver dams be?
IcePaddler
senior member (90)senior membersenior member
  
08/11/2017 06:31PM  
I'm going into Mudro next weekend and doing the boot, fairy, moosecamp, fourtown loop. I was wondering the same thing about water levels on moosecamp river. I know there will be a least a couple beaver dam drag overs.
08/11/2017 06:58PM  
I was on the Moosecamp River in May and so I do not know what water levels are like now in that area. But, I was in the Lizz EP area 2 weeks ago and water levels there were high for this time of year so I would think you'd be ok there.

In May there were 3 dams I had to lift/portage over and a handful that I was able to paddle over. So, depending on what the water levels are like I would say you have somewhere between 3 and 8 dams to pull over. Hopefully someone that has been recently will chime in for you.

Here is a pic of one of the 3 that you for sure will have to lift over. The three big ones were between a 2 to 3 foot drop.


08/11/2017 10:51PM  
quote Bigbriwi: "Another quick question, does the Moosecamp Rive flow into Fourtown or out of Fourtown?


"


FYI rivers get their names from the lake they flow out of
OregonDave
senior member (84)senior membersenior member
  
08/12/2017 12:18AM  
On Fairy Lake, the NE corner campsite is a 5 star (1087) Stayed there a few years ago, easy access to Gun Lake.
ARD1153
  
08/13/2017 12:14PM  
IcePaddler, could you let me know how moosecamp river is, we are headed up at the end of August and it is one of our potential routes down out of crooked. Thanks in advance!
IcePaddler
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08/13/2017 09:22PM  
I will let you know how it goes.
dmpaul
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08/15/2017 03:57PM  
My wife & I are planning on doing this trip next May. We always like to go check out falls when we are in the bdub. You say a day trip up from Horse lake to check out basswood falls, how long does it take a couple to paddle to it from the mouth of the horse river on the lake? & how is the paddle back to Horse up stream on the way back?
08/16/2017 07:58AM  
In may you will have the water level needed to paddle up but it could be a significant challenge. It has always taken us about 3 hours from the mouth of Horse River to LBF...If I am remembering correctly.
Bigbriwi
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08/16/2017 12:43PM  
Thanks for the info guys, almost two weeks now before we leave. Can't wait!
Bdubr
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08/17/2017 04:32PM  
Just got back from EP 23. Water levels were quite low on the creek leading to Mudro. Also, about 3/4 of the way until you reach Mudro Lake, there is a big beaver damn that has decimated that specific area. We had to portage around the beaver quite a ways, then scooted and scooted until we had another 2 unload/reload pullovers. I have never seen this area so low. If anyone is entering Mudro entry in the near future, be sure to allow adequate time for these inconveniences. If there are many groups hitting the water at once (very popular area), this will be a disaster for some.
We camped on Fairy and daytripped to Gun and Gull, but never made it to Moosecamp...
IcePaddler
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08/17/2017 07:21PM  
Noooo this is not what I wanted to hear! I leave Sunday morning. How long did it take you to get to fairy from the entry point? We were planning on camping on fairy the first night.
Bigbriwi
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08/18/2017 09:25PM  
quote IcePaddler: "Noooo this is not what I wanted to hear! I leave Sunday morning. How long did it take you to get to fairy from the entry point? We were planning on camping on fairy the first night. "


Would love to get some feedback when you return. Hopefully as time passes a clear cut path will develop.


Bigbriwi
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08/18/2017 09:27PM  
quote Bdubr: "Just got back from EP 23. Water levels were quite low on the creek leading to Mudro. Also, about 3/4 of the way until you reach Mudro Lake, there is a big beaver damn that has decimated that specific area. We had to portage around the beaver quite a ways, then scooted and scooted until we had another 2 unload/reload pullovers. I have never seen this area so low. If anyone is entering Mudro entry in the near future, be sure to allow adequate time for these inconveniences. If there are many groups hitting the water at once (very popular area), this will be a disaster for some.
We camped on Fairy and daytripped to Gun and Gull, but never made it to Moosecamp..."


How busy was it back on those lakes? That is where I was planning on base camping. How was the fishing if you did any?
RiverRatz
member (31)member
  
08/26/2017 11:35AM  
Heading there in a couple weeks. That's one of the sites I was looking at - Thanks
RiverRatz
member (31)member
  
08/26/2017 11:38AM  
Thanks, I leave in 3 weeks. Hoping for rain...
IcePaddler
senior member (90)senior membersenior member
  
08/26/2017 04:57PM  
Just got back from that area on Wednesday. We did not do the full loop as planned because some people in my group were not quite prepared for the gauntlet of portages heading out of Mudro. Was afraid I would have a mutiny on my hands if I kept pushing! The beaver dam was a very easy pullover heading into Mudro. Water was low but passable. We stayed on Boot lake the whole time. Had the whole lake to ourselves 2 out of the 3 nights and the fishing was great! Caught a 38 inch pike and many nice walleye.
Bigbriwi
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08/26/2017 05:14PM  
quote IcePaddler: "Just got back from that area on Wednesday. We did not do the full loop as planned because some people in my group were not quite prepared for the gauntlet of portages heading out of Mudro. Was afraid I would have a mutiny on my hands if I kept pushing! The beaver dam was a very easy pullover heading into Mudro. Water was low but passable. We stayed on Boot lake the whole time. Had the whole lake to ourselves 2 out of the 3 nights and the fishing was great! Caught a 38 inch pike and many nice walleye. "


Thanks for the update, mind sharing what campsite you stayed at? Did you enjoy the campsite? Was there any fishing from shore?
IcePaddler
senior member (90)senior membersenior member
  
08/26/2017 10:30PM  
quote Bigbriwi: "
quote IcePaddler: "Just got back from that area on Wednesday. We did not do the full loop as planned because some people in my group were not quite prepared for the gauntlet of portages heading out of Mudro. Was afraid I would have a mutiny on my hands if I kept pushing! The beaver dam was a very easy pullover heading into Mudro. Water was low but passable. We stayed on Boot lake the whole time. Had the whole lake to ourselves 2 out of the 3 nights and the fishing was great! Caught a 38 inch pike and many nice walleye. "



Thanks for the update, mind sharing what campsite you stayed at? Did you enjoy the campsite? Was there any fishing from shore?"


We stayed at #1093 but I would stay at #1092 if it's open. We walked over from our campsite and I think it's safe to say it's the best one on the lake. Ours was nice but that one had better views and there's a nice drop off right out front with good fishing potential.
 
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