Hello,

A group of 4 will be starting out at East Bearskin 6/4-6/9, we plan on camping on Alder or one of the surrounding lakes, and then making a trip to crocodile for a few days. Three of us have been to the BWCA a few times, my nephew who is 14 is going to be a newbie. We will primarily be fishing. We will be taking a trip to Johnson Falls, and also contemplating making a trip to West Pike Lake(my sons name is Pike). Any fishing tips would be greatly appreciated. Not looking for any hunny holes(but if you gave that up, I would not be upset). Just some general knowledge if you have been to this area recently.

Thank you in advance
WhiskeyWalleye

If I'm not mistaken, you won't be able to do that. Crocodile Lake entry permits are for crocodile only, while Alder would require an East Bearskin entry. You should doublecheck on that because I'm not very smart, but I think I may be correct on this one.

Thank you, I just called the Ranger station, I can go day trip into Crocodile, but not camp there.

just an FYI for you.... here is a pic of the SNF Sign at the East Bearskin boat landing. In contradicts what the ranger told you. This is one of those scenarios where you can get a different answer depending on which ranger you talk to.

As far as fishing on Croc goes.... it's pretty easy to find cooperative eater size walleye. My then 11 yo daughter and I were there two years ago at the end of July into August. We kept it simple and just used a plain hook and a bb sized sinker w/ a leech. Please report back after your trip and how fishing went on those other lakes. Basecamping on Alder is on the short list for my daddy/daughter trip with her at the end of June.



Have a great trip and good for you on getting your nephew to the bwca..... My 13 yo will be making her 6th trip this year. There is nothing better than being in the bwca with one of my girls.

is that a fairly new sign, perhaps in the past 2 years? what if you are camped on alder or other lakes and use a day permit to "visit and fish" crocodile? seems silly to not allow anyone to visit/fish crocodile unless they have an overnight paddle permit allowing them to be on that lake. and what if someone wants to get crazy and enter through the vegetable lakes and end up in crocodile?

mocha.....The sign was brand spanking new when we were there in 2016.

I "think" they don't want people going from Alder to Crocodile on a daytrip because they have to leave the bwca to get there and then leave the bwca again to get back to Alder. People that are outside the bwca (campground, cabin, resort, etc. can still use a day permit to go to Croc. The notice says that people entering the bwca with a #64 permit can't go there.

People can still enter to Croc through the Veggie Lakes if they want an adventure :) That sign is for people entering at the East Bearskin landing so people w/ a 66 don't go to Alder etc and that those w/ 64 don't go to Croc. Since I had been to Croc through East Bearskin I wanted to see what it was like the other way and during MEA weekend last Oct. my wife and I took the 2 ducklings on a daytrip that way. There is still a bwca kiosk at the little parking spot along FR 313.

It seems that there had been confusion in the past w/ people using a 64 permit to enter and go to/camp on Croc from the East Bearskin landing instead of a 66 and maybe that's why they posted the sign.

It's still confusing as even the Ranger that WhiskeyWalleye talked to said the daytrip was ok.

I went through this a couple years ago. By the written rules of the BWCA, you really can't day trip to Croc from any ep that isn't 66, because as mentioned you have to leave the park to get there and once you leave your permit expires.

One option to legally do this trip as you outlined it would be to get two permits. 6/4 entry at 64, and then a 66 entry on 6/7 or whenever you want to move to Croc. Of course this adds a lot of hassle and expense. You could also just chance it with day trips, especially since the ranger gave you permission essentially. Just don't camp on Croc without a ep 66 permit.

You'll have no trouble finding the eyes on Croc.

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely report back, I plan on making a trip report.

WhiskeyWalleye: "Thanks for all the info. I will definitely report back, I plan on making a trip report. "

Awesome!!! Have fun.