Hello all!
First post here. I am in the early planning stages for a trip for myself and 3-4 other guys I was in the Navy with for 2019. This will be the first time to the BWCA for all of us and we are very excited.
We are limited in our scheduling due to academic calendar of our schools for a few of us. We plan on getting to our entry point the Sunday before Memorial day (May 26, 2019). We would like to spend 5-6 days on the trip but not be paddling ourselves to death as we are all beginners. We would also like a layover day where we maybe spend 2 nights, 1 full day, at a campsite. We are very interested in good fishing.
I spoke to a Voyageur North Outfitters employee(owner John, great guy!) at a local travel show a few days ago and he recommended we do a partial outfit (canoe and food) and use the #23 Entry Point (Mudro Lake). He recommended we do the Mudro-Fourtown-Boot-Fairy-Gun-Moosecamp-Fourtown-Horse-Tin Can Mike-Sandpit-Mudro loop. When reading through the forums, I found that people enjoy a trip to Bear Trap lake as it has a very nice campsite and good fishing.
Do you recommend using the outfitter to supply canoe AND food?
Do you recommend using the outfitter to shuttle us to the entry point?
Do you have any other alternate routes that would be good for beginners (coming from Indianapolis area)?
Tents or hammocks?

I am sure I forgot something, but just looking for a start!

I've only been on about 1/2 that route, but I think it's a solid recommendation. You are spot on with Bear Trap-great lake for fishing, and one of the campsites is really nice. Might want to make that your layover day!

Seeing as you have that much time to plan I'd think you could probably do food yourself. It's just not that complicated. Plan a breakfast and a dinner every day and snacks for in between. I'm sure it's very convenient to use the outfitter, but you'll probably come out at half the price doing it yourself.

If the outfitter will allow you to not shuttle and drive the canoe to the EP that's what I'd do. Just for the simple reason that when you get out you have a car waiting for you. You could also follow the shuttle with your car and have it both ways.

Have fun!!

Be ready for anything weather wise in May. Average high is the mid 60s, but it can reach the upper 70s. Average low is in the upper 30s, but can dip below freezing. The water temperature will also be very cold, so swimming will not be an option for almost anyone.

You can do the food yourself, do some more research here and ask questions.
Rent the canoe if you don't already have a light one with a portage yoke.
They will strap the canoe to the top of your vehicle. They can pretty much make a canoe carrier out of 2x2 pieces of wood and some straps.
So drive yourself to the entry point. Just learn how they are strapping down the canoe while you are there.
I would start with tents for now.
If you want to read my article on Grand Slam Lures for BW fishing, send me an email at -queticomike@yahoo.com - request Grand Slam article. Should give you some basics for the top 4 fish.
Welcome to the forum!

Mudro will be a nice entry for you. It's very popular though, so you should secure the permit as soon as possible. The loop is pretty short, so you'll have plenty of time to fish. It's not too difficult - a couple of awkward spots on portages and a few beaver dam pullovers going down the Moosecamp River.

Whether you need the canoe shuttle will depend on how many cars you have, the kind of cars, and how many canoes. One canoe will fit on the car with foam pads. Two canoes on one car will need a crossbar that is wider than the two canoes. You could make some from 2x4's; I wouldn't count on the outfitter doing it for you, but you could check. It's always easier not to have to worry about making a scheduled meeting time the last day.

The food is a personal thing - I prefer to do my own. I get what I want, the amount I want, and I can keep it simple so I don't spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning. They would likely provide more food than I'd want and not what I'd want, but that a personal thing.

I also would recommend doing your own food, and renting the canoe. Like others have said, I like to have a vehicle at the takeout.

boonie: "Mudro will be a nice entry for you. It's very popular though, so you should secure the permit as soon as possible. The loop is pretty short, so you'll have plenty of time to fish. It's not too difficult - a couple of awkward spots on portages and a few beaver dam pullovers going down the Moosecamp River.


Whether you need the canoe shuttle will depend on how many cars you have, the kind of cars, and how many canoes. One canoe will fit on the car with foam pads. Two canoes on one car will need a crossbar that is wider than the two canoes. You could make some from 2x4's; I wouldn't count on the outfitter doing it for you, but you could check. It's always easier not to have to worry about making a scheduled meeting time the last day.


The food is a personal thing - I prefer to do my own. I get what I want, the amount I want, and I can keep it simple so I don't spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning. They would likely provide more food than I'd want and not what I'd want, but that a personal thing. "

When I worked in outfitting at Piragis we would make canoe racks from 2x2 pieces of wood that could transport 2 canoes on a car. We didn't charge any extra for this service as long as we got the rack materials back upon return.

QueticoMike: "

boonie: "Mudro will be a nice entry for you. It's very popular though, so you should secure the permit as soon as possible. The loop is pretty short, so you'll have plenty of time to fish. It's not too difficult - a couple of awkward spots on portages and a few beaver dam pullovers going down the Moosecamp River.



Whether you need the canoe shuttle will depend on how many cars you have, the kind of cars, and how many canoes. One canoe will fit on the car with foam pads. Two canoes on one car will need a crossbar that is wider than the two canoes. You could make some from 2x4's; I wouldn't count on the outfitter doing it for you, but you could check. It's always easier not to have to worry about making a scheduled meeting time the last day.



The food is a personal thing - I prefer to do my own. I get what I want, the amount I want, and I can keep it simple so I don't spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning. They would likely provide more food than I'd want and not what I'd want, but that a personal thing. "

When I worked in outfitting at Piragis we would make canoe racks from 2x2 pieces of wood that could transport 2 canoes on a car. We didn't charge any extra for this service as long as we got the rack materials back upon return."

Thanks, good to know, Mike. I might need to do that sometime - do you know if they still do it and how many other outfitters would do it? I've made them myself in the past and put them on other cars, but it would be easier to just drive and have the outfitter put them on.

You'll love this route. I've been every where except MooseCamp in that area. This was the very first place I went to in the BW back in the 80s. Don't be discouraged by your first set of portages from Mudro to Fourtown. You're getting the tougher ones out of the way first.The little 10r at the end is sketchy. You'll encounter a Beaver Dam right away from your EP. Stay to the right and you should be able to float around it. The 160r portage between Tin Can Mike and Sand Pit is flat as can be with some cool plank walking. I've used both tent and Hammock in this area. My advise for packing to all new people. Don't have loose stuff. Except for rods and paddles everything should be in a pack. Enjoy your trip.

That was where I did my first trip 15 years ago or so. Canoes and food are what we used to get from outfitters. Now just canoes, it's not too hard to plan your own meals. The cook in the bag when adding boiling water meals work well, no extra dishes.

Good route choice, good fishing potential, the farther from the EP the fewer people you'll see especially on a holiday. As mentioned, that's a popular spot so when the permits come open next Jan get one that morning. Put it on your calendar now...or at least in mid Jan to check when the real date is. Usually last week in January.

Thank you everyone for the good advice! We are looking forward to planning this trip and can't wait for it to get here!