I come seeking advice from the crowd. I love this site and forum and all the help it provides, and tried to do some homework prior to posting.

I am looking at a trip in mid-June with my dad. He is coming up on 70. Last year we went in at Little Gabbro (ep 33) and went through Gabbro, Bald Eagle, Gull, Pietro, Camdre, Clearwater, Turtle, and back. We enjoyed the fishing and solitude, but he said the portaging was a little much and didn't like the open water on the bigger lakes (BE, Gabbro).

We have always stayed in Ely and are considering a different entry from Ely this year. I thought a tow to Crab Lake would eliminate the big water and if we took our time on the one long portage we could go to many small lakes to the south and west with very short portages, or base camp and day trip to these other lakes. We love to fish so that is the main goal. We are C & R fishermen so species really doesn't matter, just good action.

My questions are how tough is the portage? I found some mixed reviews in my searching. Are any of the lakes good for fishing and worth the trip? How difficult would it be to find a campsite on Crab in mid-June?

I really appreciate any advice. Feel free to email as well (I think I have it linked up)

Thanks!

Tom

Tom,

We did that portage back in 2007, so this isn't real current information. It's long (over a mile, but I do not remember it as hard otherwise. The trail was generally very good with easy landings on each end. The worst part was the first maybe 1/4 mile where it was re-routed - there was a short slightly steeper climb IIRC and a less smooth trail. There was a long gradual incline later. I can't tell you about fishing or June - we went in Sept. It was also easy and short portages out to Cummings.

If you haven't seen it already? Here's a link to our trip report fron a few years back.

Boonies description of the portage pretty much nails it. But, there's more information provided in the trip report. Fishing wise - 2 lakes come to mind. Cummings for smallies and Buck for walleyes. There are several really nice campsites in the Crab/ Cummings area, check the maps section comments. (If you haven't done so already?)

BTW I recommend the tow across Burntside.

Bonnie & Tuscarora- Thanks for the advice on the portage. I don't know how I missed your trip report, I thought I read them all! Breaking down the portage like that helps me get a good visual. It seems like there are many trip options close by to get some solitude as well. I really appreciate the input!

We went through this area in 2014. It's a very nice area and hope to get back to Crab and Cummings. We made it to Cummings the first day and spent 3 nights there, then went back to Crab for another 3 nights. Rather than go through the small lakes south and west of Crab, I'd head up to Cummings. The travel from Crab to Cummings is very easy and can be done with only 1 portage from Crab to Little Crab. I write a very short recap after each trip just to keep a few items from the route in memory. Below is what I wrote after our trip that year.

"We entered on Sept 20th through the Crab Lake entry point. Crab Lake is reached by crossing the large Burntside Lake and a 380rd portage (1¼ miles). This was an entirely new area to all of us, and other than that first portage, is a very nice area. That portage must keep the use down, as we only saw 3 others all week. We all really liked Crab Lake, Cummings Lake, and the Korb River/Lake area in between. We hit the fall color pretty well (slightly before peak) and this area has a good variety of trees with reds, oranges, and yellows.

On day 6 we did a day-trip through the series of small lakes south and west of Crab Lake. This was a nice day-trip, but would be a poor trip loaded and needing to stay at any of the sites along this loop. None of the campsites along this section would be rated above a fair rating. The first portage started very steep, but then leveled off and was pretty nice after the climb. The longest portage (Hassel to Lunetta) was pretty rugged. Also, is not heavily used and has some very tight spots with the canoe."

I’d echo the remarks above. Years ago, I used the creek from burnt side to crab to avoid the portage, it had its own issues. I did the portage out and found it fine, just long. IIRC there may be a beaver pond in the middle you have to paddle over. Average overall, just longish.

I liked Cummings a lot and got some nice bass there. I think the West end was most productive. Buck hold Walleye, that’s an even longer average difficulty portage. Pretty area back there and looks to entice few visitors. Have fun! I would also agree the tow is worthwhile.

I am now thinking of Crab/Cummings for sure. That sounds like exactly what I was looking for. The smallmouth sound awesome, and I was looking a the map and reviews and there are a lot of good looking sites to camp. Does this area usually fill up most of the sites in June or do you think between Crab and Cummings we would be able to find one relatively easily? It also looks like there could be some good day trips too (Silica, Korb, Coxey Pond, Lunetta). Thanks for the advice, and all the time and detail you put into it. That really helps me have the confidence to make the right decision. I think if we take the first portage into Crab easy we can slowly look for camp on our way to Cummings.

I went to Cummings last year in July with my daughter and a friend of mine. We did the tow across Burntside too (great idea...) The portage into Crab is long but relatively easy. There was one blow down tree across it last year but it was easy enough to get over it. Might be gone this year. Take it slow and you'll be fine. Cummings is easily reached in one day and it holds lots of great sites. My favorite is the one at the end of the long point on the southern shore in the portion of Cummings that runs east-west. Beautiful sunsets.

A reminder that the new Lake Vermilion State Park will be open this year. Shoudl have camping a a few basic cabins. Not sure of the status but would be a great location for your entry, right on the way up.

tomke17: "I am now thinking of Crab/Cummings for sure. That sounds like exactly what I was looking for. The smallmouth sound awesome, and I was looking a the map and reviews and there are a lot of good looking sites to camp. Does this area usually fill up most of the sites in June or do you think between Crab and Cummings we would be able to find one relatively easily? It also looks like there could be some good day trips too (Silica, Korb, Coxey Pond, Lunetta). Thanks for the advice, and all the time and detail you put into it. That really helps me have the confidence to make the right decision. I think if we take the first portage into Crab easy we can slowly look for camp on our way to Cummings."

I went to Cummings last year in mid/late July. There was plenty of campsite availability all through the area. Stayed 3 nights on Cummings and was actually surprised by the solitude we found.

We were finding fish in weird spots on Cummings...not necessarily just the shorelines or other structure. They were biting in the middle of the lake while we trolled around - places I would never expect to catch a fish.

The portage is not that bad. Just long and a bit muddy in spots.

Thanks for the recent advice. I am feeling more confident about the portage and finding an open campsite within reach earlier in the day. Sounds like we may have to work to find some fish, maybe some trolling, but I guess that's part of the adventure. I didn't know about Vermillion Park either, very good idea. Thanks again to all for the advice, it really will shorten the learning curve.

We did several trips through crab #4 last year. One of the other guys planned it, and was thinking it was 365',not 365 rods. Doh! When you see the small lake/swap area, you are half way there. We ended up dropping the canoes about a quarter of the way there, dropping off the gear, then going back for the canoes. On the plus side, none of the guys are scared of a 'messily' 100 rod portage anymore.

We did not bother with a tow, but we were a bit green with envy when the tow boat drove past us as we struggled against the wind. Too spendy for my group. There is public parking on Burntside, so that worked out OK.

The campsite on Little Crab was very nice. Campsites on crab itself were surprisingly occupied considering the portage. Nice fishing in the area.

Tom,

I am 67 and walked the portage 6 times (2 double portages) last spring on the Portage Clearing Trip. The best thing your dad should do for himself is to start walking now to get in shape and try to keep it up every day till you go. Maybe even add a medium weight pack the last month on the walking exercise plan.

The first quarter of the portage until you meet up with the old portage trail is the hardest part. Rocky with several ups and downs. After that, it is a long gradual uphill hike on a good trail with a few nice large resting rocks near Crab lake end.

I'm assuming he will single portage and you will Sherpa the rest of the gear on a double or triple portage, at least that is what my sons do for me on the rest of my BW trips. I would also recommend the tow across Burnside.

UP Boy

OK. Interesting comments. Cummings is one of my favorite destinations, and I don't mind the initial portage. Fishing is ALWAYS great, never a problem finding amazing campsites. We basecamp then do daytrips. For instance, Neewin is basically a dead end lake with a nasty portage, but has great Northerns. Cummings has unparalleled Smallmouth fishing . . . bring flyrods and plenty of poppers for lilypad fishing. We have spent hours doing catch-and-release, nothing better. I am always pleasantly surprised by the apparent isolation there, and the long portage has something to do with that.

That being said, the initial portage is fine if you are young and/or in shape. Half of our party falls into that category, but half do not. Pay for the tow, and make sure you are organized so as to limit your experience to one double portage and that's it. Otherwise it will s**k to be you. Your less fit members will be less approving, and will demonstrate much drama.

All good advice above and yeah, the initial portage is long but pretty darned nice.
We camped on Crab our first and last nights a couple years ago. The very first site on your left(south), # 314, was fantastic. Checked out #313 and that was nice too. All were taken our first night except the west one, #316. That was more of a last-resort spot. Lots of mosquitos (thus good bat viewing) and not a ton of space. But ok enough.
Site #288 on Cummings is beautiful. Depending on time of year, tons of blueberries as well.

If concerned about tough portaging, avoid Lunetta to Hassel.

tomke17: "I come seeking advice from the crowd. I love this site and forum and all the help it provides, and tried to do some homework prior to posting.

I am looking at a trip in mid-June with my dad. He is coming up on 70. Last year we went in at Little Gabbro (ep 33) and went through Gabbro, Bald Eagle, Gull, Pietro, Camdre, Clearwater, Turtle, and back. We enjoyed the fishing and solitude, but he said the portaging was a little much and didn't like the open water on the bigger lakes (BE, Gabbro).

We have always stayed in Ely and are considering a different entry from Ely this year. I thought a tow to Crab Lake would eliminate the big water and if we took our time on the one long portage we could go to many small lakes to the south and west with very short portages, or base camp and day trip to these other lakes. We love to fish so that is the main goal. We are C & R fishermen so species really doesn't matter, just good action.

My questions are how tough is the portage? I found some mixed reviews in my searching. Are any of the lakes good for fishing and worth the trip? How difficult would it be to find a campsite on Crab in mid-June?

I really appreciate any advice. Feel free to email as well (I think I have it linked up)

Thanks!

Tom"

Hi Tom,

I hope you and your dad had an awesome adventure! I am doing a similar trip with my dad in a few weeks along the same route. Would you be willing to share your experience? Any fishing tips or suggestions? Thank you for considering!