So after looking around and reading around i am thinking i am going to head for McIntyre Lake for My cousin and I's trip this summer . What i am wondering how hard it would be to make it from Prairie Portage to McIntyre in 1 day . Im figuring camping near PP the night before since we will be in the BW for a few days before we go into the Q. Also looking at the maps there a few islands on McIntyre are there any good camp spots on those islands or any real nice camp spots on the shoreline ? Another thing is Ive read that there is a message jar somewhere on McIntyre any hints on a location ?


Kcid

We did it in '04, and it wasn't fun at all due to the all day rain. It actually stopped raining 1/2 way across the main body heading north toward the island camps. We hit the island, the sun poked through the clouds, and then went down for the night. Never saw any message jar, but I hear there is one somewhere on that big island.

I love McIntyre Lake. You should be able to get there in a day, but get an early start. the message jar is located in the woods behind the campsite that is located on a peninsula on the southwest side of the lake. It is not the southernmost campsite but the one before that.

That is a rather long day. I've come up from PP to Comnee and camped on Sarah the first night both times. We could have made McI, but it was a full day, with only a lunch break, to get to Sarah. Wind and whitecaps on Basswood surely didn't help.

MplsKcid,

I will send you an e-mail, this is not the location to give out info on great fishing spots etc. that's how they get fished out in a hurry.

We have driven from the Twin Cities, gone through Prairie and made it to McIntyre in the same day. But it was a long day. And I was a tad younger traveling with 5 guys in two canoes. If you are experienced and single portage you should make it if the wind is right.
I had paddled by the large island site on the north end of the lake any number of times but never stayed there. On the Twin Cities to McIntyre trip in one day we stayed there and I have been back a couple of times since. I really like that site. There are a couple of smaller but nice sites on the southwest side of the lake. They see less traffic as well.

We spent a couple of nights on the campsite on the north side of the island located where the lake narrows down. A very nice site, right on the water, with a signature boulder firepit. The other site on the island was very nice also, but up off the water, with great views of the lake.

Another spot to consider on McIntyre is the waterfall at the start of McIntyre Creek....a campsite just above the falls.....it's a tough route to Robinson though.

quote snakecharmer: "We spent a couple of nights on the campsite on the north side of the island located where the lake narrows down. A very nice site, right on the water, with a signature boulder firepit. The other site on the island was very nice also, but up off the water, with great views of the lake.
"

That is an awesome site as SC said. I walked over to the other site on the island and really didn't care for it. It was way too open for my tastes. It did have a great view though...but I tend to like less sun exposure.
My only problem with the other site is the landings are tricky as Mr.Barley will tell you.

The campsite on the north side of the island with the boulder fireplace is a great campsite. I have camped there more than once and it is very comfortable. Go up into the narrows for some good walleye fishing.

Well thanks for all the replys defintley looks like McIntyre will be a great lake to layover for a day or two . Great pics fishguts thanks for the email . And looks like if we get a early start making it from PP to McIntyre is possible just a long push. But looks like good fishing and nice campsites .

Fishguts, as a guy who loves the BWCA/Quetico and as a guy who recently moved to MN from California who misses In-N-Out burger everyday, I am not sure if the waterfalls or your t-shirt make me happier :-)