My earliest canoe trip into the BWCA was April 11th. Trucks are still driving on Ely lakes today.
When was your earliest trip?

Paddling March 31st

March 30,2012.

May 23, 1993. Also my first trip. Had rain sleet and snow on the drive in. Still had a great trip!

Brule Lake, April 23rd 2012

July 12 I think. Haha - obviously not a spring guy.

Due to my work schedule I would normally schedule my first trips in mid May. One year we dealt with 90 degree temps, the next year on the same week, we had 2" of snow and mid 20's.

March 23, 2013. We were originally planning a snowmobile trip to Sandpoint Lake to ice fish for crappies but with the warm spring and open water we paddled into the BWCA instead.

karola: "March 23, 2013. We were originally planning a snowmobile trip to Sandpoint Lake to ice fish for crappies but with the warm spring and open water we paddled into the BWCA instead. "

Ice out was late in 2013. I paddled to Robinson on 5/13/13 and my way was blocked by ice. Lower Pauness still held ice on 5/7/13.

Late April -- 28th or 29th.

Banksiana: "

karola: "March 23, 2013. We were originally planning a snowmobile trip to Sandpoint Lake to ice fish for crappies but with the warm spring and open water we paddled into the BWCA instead. "

Ice out was late in 2013. I paddled to Robinson on 5/13/13 and my way was blocked by ice. Lower Pauness still held ice on 5/7/13."

You are right. It was March 23, 2012. Here is a picture on Nina Moose looking West as we paddled towards Agnes.

2013 opener, lakes started opening in the BWCA up late that Sunday and than Monday after opener with super strong winds Sunday and very warm temps.

I think that canoe/sled Northstar made for Will should be something we all should consider. My earliest trip was late April on a whim one year it iced out early. Can't remember what year. The next year we thought we'd do it again but ended up skiing croseby Manitou state park and staying in the old cabin that is long gone now.

May 1st, about 20 years ago! It was the 1st trip together for me, my future spouse, and my 2 y.o. Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We were going to go to Minneapolis for the weekend, but the weather was so nice...... no regrets. That dog whined all the way across the 1st lake -- I think her nose was on overload with so many smells from all directions. She settled into the rhythm quickly. It was the beginning of a great life of BWCA trips for her and us, every year until she passed. She was one good camper - no barking, respectful of people and critters, carried her own pack as long as she was able -- and she loved it so much it added to our joy. I typically try to pack up the truck the day before - and when she saw the packs and canoe, she'd go sit by the truck and not move. If the black flies were bad, she was either in the water, or she'd ask to go in the tent. She loved to dive for rocks, some going up into the 8 lb. category. Found a favorite once, would not drop it - we were on the Knife portage, finally she hopped into the boat w/ that big rock still in her mouth! Once we leap-frogged w/ a group of guys over the course of a few days in the Cherokee area. On a portage, she uncharacteristically surged way ahead of us. We got to the end, and she was sitting in the circle with all those guys, enjoying lunch with them! That girl was steady in the canoe, even in some truly awful weather. Great memories, thanks for the prompt. Looking back, doing a 1st trip w/ an adolescent chessie in ice cold water was kind of stupid :) Ah well, ....

years ago I went into the Q for the last two weeks of may.i don't recall the starting date but what I thought was so interesting about it was that I could see far back into the woods on the portages.later in the year the trails were brushed in sometimes right to your shoulders.lots of cliffs and rock formations that I had no idea were there back from the lake shores.weather was nice!

Clearwater Lake 2017. April 29th.

Day trip... April 22 1984, down Kawishiwi River
Camping....Many trips first week of May (Quetico lake trout)