BWCA BWCA Border Lake Camping (with motorized boat) Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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kpdoyle
member (45)member
  
12/09/2018 09:20PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hey everyone.

I want to ask you folks on here what you think of the idea of renting a fishing boat on one of the entry lakes into the BWCA that allows low horse power motors, and spend a week camping and fishing. I love canoeing and portaging and will continue to do that yearly, but I have a friend with some physical disabilities that would like to experience the BWCA the best that he can. I am thinking that renting a fishing boat and camping one a lake like Big Sag, Snowbank, etc might be a good option. What do you guys think? Is that even possible? Do places rent motorized fishing boats by the week?

I am also open to other ideas and lakes. I even thought that Voyageurs National Park would be another option, but I'd rather stay in or around the BWCA.

Thank you in advance for the feedback!

-K
 
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Bdubr
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/10/2018 12:46AM  
Yes, this is entirely possible and also a good option for both you and your friend. There are a decent amount of options in regards to lakes, and you've mentioned a few already.

Personally, I would recommend Basswood Lake for scenery, fishing, and good campsites. Although most people will point out that there are a couple of portages that you will need to push and pull your boat and gear across (which wouldn't be ideal for your buddy's situation), Packsack Outfitters on Fall Lake can help assist you across both portages for a respectable fee. You can stay at their bunkhouse or cabins the night before and they will follow you in the boat rented from them, assisting you and your friend across the portages with relative ease. I've done this a handful of times and strongly recommend this outfitter and option. They will also help you back to Fall Lake when your trip is over, if you so wish.

In addition to the lakes you mentioned, Seagull Lake would be another good choice. You can stay at Seagull Outfitters the night before and be on your way at sunrise. This is not a big lake in regards to areas you can access with the motorboat, but there is a lot of structure and a handful of species you can target while fishing.

Again, there are other options than the ones I've listed above but I think you'd enjoy either of the options suggested...
12/10/2018 03:04PM  
Fall Lake Campground is excellent .
The Great Outdoors
distinguished member(5592)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
12/11/2018 01:33PM  
Burntside Lake would be a good option, about 7 or less campsites on the lake and not much traffic to speak of during weekdays, or early in the season.
Weekends can get busy if the weather is nice, not so busy if it isn't.
bruleman
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/11/2018 02:36PM  
Seagull Outfitters is a good choice. They have Lund 14 foot boats and 10hp Mercury motors for rent, but are a bit pricey. They have cabins on Sag for rent, but not just boats and motors. Seagull Lake is divided into 3 areas. Unlimited motor use, 10 hp limit and part of the lake is in the BWCA, canoe only. It is good fishing, if you know how and where to do it. You might want to use a guide, for a least one day. Part of Saganaga Lake is in Canada.

I can suggest a guide that fishes lakes just off the Gunflint Trail, close to the BWCA, but not in it. My grandson and I had a great time fishing with him last Summer and we caught some nice Rainbow Trout, which were filleted, frozen and brought home. The guide furnishes the boat, motor, bait and fishing equipment. All you have to bring is your lunch and raingear. He will fish for whatever species you want. I don't believe that he will fish Sag or Seagull, but he does do some portaging.
 
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