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WIMike
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12/02/2017 03:09PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Experienced fisherman, low experience primitive camper, complete noob to BWCA. Looking for advice on entry point and route for a group of 4 to 6 for a 6 day base camp, fishing centered trip. Smallies, pike and walleye with smallies primary. Would like to paddle 1 to 1/2 days, base camp and 1 to 1 1/2 days out. The less the crowds the better. All of group in generally good to excellent shape with 2 women and 57 YO man included. Will probably do a completely outfitted trip for convenience so outfitter recommendations also welcome. Looking at spring/summer 2019 so plenty of time to plan. Thanks
 
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Fizics
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12/02/2017 03:32PM  
quote WIMike: "Experienced fisherman, low experience primitive camper, complete noob to BWCA. Looking for advice on entry point and route for a group of 4 to 6 for a 6 day base camp, fishing centered trip. Smallies, pike and walleye with smallies primary. Would like to paddle 1 to 1/2 days, base camp and 1 to 1 1/2 days out. The less the crowds the better. All of group in generally good to excellent shape with 2 women and 57 YO man included. Will probably do a completely outfitted trip for convenience so outfitter recommendations also welcome. Looking at spring/summer 2019 so plenty of time to plan. Thanks
"


I wish I could tell you how often this post comes up lol. My advice: don't overthink the entry points. There's no magical EP that has all the best fish, and only you get to go there. The numbered lakes are great beginners lakes, great fishing, and you can paddle as far as you want, determining what distance is best for you depending on the circumstances. You'll find fish everywhere. If you're renting gear/canoes, that can play a lot in which EP you choose too. Knife Lake going out of La Tourelles (best outfitter I've worked with) would give you amazing fishing, campsites, and the option to get away. EP16 to Agnes/Oyster/LLC would be a great western BWCA choice, but trickier on the outfitting part. The whole eastern side of the BWCA out of gunflint is littered with outfitters, Cherokee lake is a dream destination of mine over there! Basically, choose wherever interests you the most, the fish will be there :)
12/02/2017 05:33PM  
Will you be using your own camping gear/canoes or renting from an outfitter? If you plan to use an outfitter, contact them and they will make excellent recommendations for your trip. Personally, I like Voyageur North in Ely, and Rockwoods Outfitters on the Grand Marais (Gunflint Trail) side. They know the routes, camp sites, portage conditions, and fishing tips. If you are self outfitting, let us know and we can give you many good options.
Chicagored
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12/03/2017 09:31AM  
I have used and liked voyageur north and canoe country outfitters in ely and liked both of them. I tend to use cco because i like their bunkhouse setup in the back. That said, I've never heard a bad word about any outfitter, and if they did not know their stuff, they would not be able to stay in business.

Since you appear to be in Wisconsin, I would suggest that you go to Canoecopia in March in Madison, where you could meet with many of the outfitters, get their suggestions, and make a more knowledgeable choice about who you are dealing with. If you have never been up there, you might enjoy going through Ely for the experience. The lottery is going away and the entry dates don't fill up like they used to, so don't panic if you don't have a slot early on.

A few specific suggestions:

1. use sawbill outfitters and enter at sawbill. Easy paddle to either Alton or Burnt lake for basecamp.

2. Enter at Lake One and go to Insula. Long one day or easy 1.5 day paddle. You will go through the pagami fire area but its not that bad. Lake One tends to be crowded with large groups but somehow the crowds don't want to go past the relatively easy 80 rod portage after hudson. Many opportunities for day trips.

3. Enter at #16 and go to either Lady Boot Bay or Iron Lake. Probably 1.5 to 2 days if you are not experienced. Or Maybe stop at Agnes for a day or two or five. Most people just pass through it, but I have had some great fishing days there.
Chicagored
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12/03/2017 09:31AM  
I have used and liked voyageur north and canoe country outfitters in ely and liked both of them. I tend to use cco because i like their bunkhouse setup in the back. That said, I've never heard a bad word about any outfitter, and if they did not know their stuff, they would not be able to stay in business.

Since you appear to be in Wisconsin, I would suggest that you go to Canoecopia in March in Madison, where you could meet with many of the outfitters, get their suggestions, and make a more knowledgeable choice about who you are dealing with. If you have never been up there, you might enjoy going through Ely for the experience. The lottery is going away and the entry dates don't fill up like they used to, so don't panic if you don't have a slot early on.

A few specific suggestions:

1. use sawbill outfitters and enter at sawbill. Easy paddle to either Alton or Burnt lake for basecamp.

2. Enter at Lake One and go to Insula. Long one day or easy 1.5 day paddle. You will go through the pagami fire area but its not that bad. Lake One tends to be crowded with large groups but somehow the crowds don't want to go past the relatively easy 80 rod portage after hudson. Many opportunities for day trips.

3. Enter at #16 and go to either Lady Boot Bay or Iron Lake. Probably 1.5 to 2 days if you are not experienced. Or Maybe stop at Agnes for a day or two or five. Most people just pass through it, but I have had some great fishing days there.
WIMike
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12/03/2017 12:09PM  
Thanks for the input. This is a little different than planning a resort trip.

Yes, planning to go to Canoecopia.
QueticoMike
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12/03/2017 04:41PM  
Welcome to the messageboard! Good luck on your trip!
 
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