BWCA Mudro trip and fishing tips? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Mudro trip and fishing tips?     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/29/2018 06:25PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hello all! Glad to be back on the forum.

This will be my first time entering at Mudro EP 23. I've always heard great things about this area, so I'm really excited. Our trip is about 7 nights with 6 people.

I'm thinking we will go up to Beartrap or Moosecamp and back. Looking for some general advice on the area such as:

1) Any key things to see. Pictographs? Waterfalls?

2) Best walleye lakes? I've heard Gull and Beartrap are good for walleye.

3) I read that there is a way to get to a smaller, 20 rod portage into Mudro. Can anyone explain where that is?

Thanks for your help! I'll be sure to write a trip report when we get home.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/30/2018 01:59PM  
Also, has anyone taken the river from Moosecamp to Fourtown? Google map satellite makes the river look pretty narrow and overgrown.
Saberboys
distinguished member(897)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/30/2018 04:15PM  
Depending on water levels, you can launch in the stream right from the parking lot at 23, other wise it's just a short hike along the stream down to Mudro.

Taking the Moosecamp river is a nice easy float back to Fourtown, also depending on water levels. I know it's always pretty easy in the Spring when levels are higher. Maybe someone can chime in about the Fall. You will have to pull over 3-4 beaver dams along the way though. You can see old logging poles along the Moosecamp which is kind of neat.
hawleycanoeguy
senior member (95)senior membersenior member
  
07/30/2018 04:31PM  
Awesome entry point! You'll enjoy the options here!

I was here last year in early October. You'll have to take the portage from the parking lot to Pickett Creek (the stream that will lead you into Mudro). There is tons of debris in the creek from the parking lot to the landing - the portage is a piece of cake - likely the easiest one I've ever seen in the BWCA. The creek leading to Mudro is very scenic and narrow - there was a large beaver dam last fall that you'll have to pull over - if it's still there, scout it and be careful when pulling your canoe across. Also, watch out for big rocks in the creek about the last 1/4 of a mile before you go into Mudro.

The three portages from Mudro into Fourtown provide unique challenges. 30 rodder is flat...but very rocky. The middle 125 rodder is up, down, windy, and can be treacherous if wet - but extremely scenic as well! The northern most portage is short, but it's literally like 8 rods straight up....and 8 rods straight down.

I just passed through Fourtown when I was there in 2010, but it was gorgeous - saw many great campsites, and staying there you'll have many options.

I would highly recommend a day trip to Lower Basswood Falls. Go over to Horse Lake and down the Horse River. Leave right after breakfast. From Horse Lake to the falls, it's about a 2-2.5 hour paddle without cargo. The Horse River is easy - just watch for some minor rapids early on where you might have to finagle your canoe through - the three portages are mild. The falls are amazing! Once you get there, spend time fishing below the falls and witness its greatness. See my trip video from last fall below to see Mudro EP and later on, Lower Basswood Falls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyF9CNa8H24

I hope you have great weather and awesome fishing!
07/30/2018 07:27PM  
Love this area.

MiniMN caught a decent size northern off the NE campsite on Fairy.
It's a small quiet lake if that is your thing.

We also had good fishing luck on Horse near the portage over to Fourtown throwing spoons.
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/30/2018 07:46PM  
Thanks yall!

Wondering... Is there a loop route if we go to Horse then to Crooked? Where from Crooked would you go? Or just take the same route back to EP 23?
07/30/2018 09:05PM  
deadriver: "Thanks yall!


Wondering... What route would you if we went to Horse to Crooked? Is there a loop back to EP 23? "


There is. My son and i are starting at Mudro and heading in a counterclockwise loop

Once you get to crooked head west past Wednesday, Thursday bay and into Friday bay. Take the little chain of lakes ( Papoose, Chippewa, Niki and Wagosh) south towards Gun Lake lake and then decide if you want to head east towards Bullet lake and into Moosecamp lake and down the moosecamp river to fourtown lake or head west and south on gun lake into fairy and boot and then fourtown and back to Mudro.

Lots of options. We are doing the loop in a 6 night 7 day trip
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/30/2018 09:16PM  
Bushman: "
deadriver: "Thanks yall!



Wondering... What route would you if we went to Horse to Crooked? Is there a loop back to EP 23? "



There is. My son and i are starting at Mudro and heading in a counterclockwise loop


Once you get to crooked head west past Wednesday, Thursday bay and into Friday bay. Take the little chain of lakes ( Papoose, Chippewa, Niki and Wagosh) south towards Gun Lake lake and then decide if you want to head east towards Bullet lake and into Moosecamp lake and down the moosecamp river to fourtown lake or head west and south on gun lake into fairy and boot and then fourtown and back to Mudro.


Lots of options. We are doing the loop in a 6 night 7 day trip "


Thanks Bushman!
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/31/2018 05:12PM  
Can someone give me directions to EP23?

I'm coming from Burntside.
It looks like you go up the Echo Trail and turn right on Grassy Lake Rd?
RetiredDave
distinguished member (368)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/31/2018 05:28PM  
I did a loop that included Beartrap, Moosecamp, and Moosecamp River into Fourtown last September. The river was an easy, scenic paddle with (at the time) 6 beaver dam pull-overs. It took me an hour and forty-five minutes to go from Moosecamp to Fourtown without hurrying.

Yes, take the N. Grassy Road turnoff to the right just after the Fenske Lake road. There is a sign for Mudro. Turn left at the T junction and you will soon come to the parking lot.

The campsite on Beartrap is a gem if you can get it. It's the only one on the lake. There was no one camping there, or on Thunder when I went, so your chances of finding a campsite in that area should be good. If the Beartrap campsite is occupied it's only a tiny portage back to Thunder where there are a number of sites.

Good luck and have fun!

Dave
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/31/2018 05:48PM  
RetiredDave: "
The campsite on Beartrap is a gem if you can get it. It's the only one on the lake. There was no one camping there, or on Thunder when I went, so your chances of finding a campsite in that area should be good. If the Beartrap campsite is occupied it's only a tiny portage back to Thunder where there are a number of sites.
"


Appreciate the tips, esp on the Beartrap/Thunder sites. I really hope the one on Beartrap is open cuz it sounds like a great spot!
Bumstead
distinguished member (332)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/31/2018 07:09PM  
When going into Fourtown on the third portage, DO NOT go down the VERY steep rock face to try and put in....simply keep walking to a much more pleasant landing. Mistake made on our first trip across the portage. We still call that steep rock face "half dome" as my buddy and I went down that beast, each with a canoe. The other two guys came with packs and sensibly walked a little further to the real landing for Fourtown. Lesson learned. My friend even split the crotch out of his pants trying to get down....hahahahaa!

Had good fishing on Gull for a few days last June: 'eyes, smallies, pike, and some big panfish. Peninsula site on that lake is a nice one. Moosecamp river is definitely worth it on the way out.

Enjoy your trip.
deadriver
senior member (83)senior membersenior member
  
07/31/2018 07:38PM  
Thanks for the input Bumstead!
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Trip Planning Sponsor:
Seagull Outfitters