I am confused how this works exactly. If you get an overnight motor permit on Clearwater (Gunflint trail side), you can't really portage and motor anywhere else. So it seems like the likelihood of no campsites is quite high?

I want to make my first attempt at ice out style lake trout fishing and thought bringing up my motorized kayak would be a neat twist on a shorter trip, but It is a hog and isn't designed for portages, unless they were to allow wheels.

I hoped to do a mix of day use motor and a couple of 2 night overnights on lakes that require no portages, but my experience lies only in paddling summer trips up north, so any help would be appreciated on where to successfully fish for lake trout, camp without portages, and places to bunk/stay that would allow recharging batteries.

In my experience, Clearwater campsites have never been filled up but, anything is possible. You are correct in saying you can't portage your motorized watercraft to other lakes. But, you could tow an extra canoe/kayak (or remove the motor) and then portage (not using wheels) that watercraft into other lakes.

A few other lakes to consider are Saganaga, Sea Gull and Gunflint. Gunflint isn't actually in the BWCA but, it does have campsites and there are bunkhouses at outfitters located on that lake as well. Only a portion of Sea Gull is motorized.

TuscaroraBorealis: "In my experience, Clearwater campsites have never been filled up but, anything is possible. You are correct in saying you can't portage your motorized watercraft to other lakes. But, you could tow an extra canoe/kayak (or remove the motor) and then portage (not using wheels) that watercraft into other lakes.


A few other lakes to consider are Saganaga, Sea Gull and Gunflint. Gunflint isn't actually in the BWCA but, it does have campsites and there are bunkhouses at outfitters located on that lake as well. Only a portion of Sea Gull is motorized."

Keep in mind you cannot legally leave any gear (like a motor) stashed then go on with a paddle trip. This used to be a common practice for folks going in thru Fall Lake with side trips up to the falls.

+1 on seagull. More campsites than Clearwater. Although I too have not seen many stay on Clearwater. My first laker was on Seagull.

nooneuno: "

TuscaroraBorealis: "In my experience, Clearwater campsites have never been filled up but, anything is possible. You are correct in saying you can't portage your motorized watercraft to other lakes. But, you could tow an extra canoe/kayak (or remove the motor) and then portage (not using wheels) that watercraft into other lakes.



A few other lakes to consider are Saganaga, Sea Gull and Gunflint. Gunflint isn't actually in the BWCA but, it does have campsites and there are bunkhouses at outfitters located on that lake as well. Only a portion of Sea Gull is motorized."

Keep in mind you cannot legally leave any gear (like a motor) stashed then go on with a paddle trip. This used to be a common practice for folks going in thru Fall Lake with side trips up to the falls."

I thought you could stash while your permit was valid. From rules: "STORING WATERCRAFT Only watercraft and equipment used in connection with your current visit may be stored and left unattended, until you leave the BWCAW. All equipment and personal property must be carried out with you at the end of you trip. "

BWCA Rules and Regulations

That was my thought....

Leave motor in camp with tent etc. & do a daytrip with watercraft.

TuscaroraBorealis: "That was my thought....


Leave motor in camp with tent etc. & do a daytrip with watercraft."

That's what I was thinking also. Last year during the last weekend of July (busiest time in bwca) my family did a daytrip across Clearwater to the portage to Mountain and hiked some of the BRT to see the overlooks. All of the sites we saw were open that day.

If you motor out and paddle into other lakes , your going to need a day use paddle permit also.