Heading out tomorrow for my 1st winter camping trip of the season. Heading to Red Lake WMA (north of Red Lake) for a camping/trapping trip for 3 nights. Thinking of heading into the BWCA around xmas for a few day pike fishing trip.

How about others? Any fun trips planned for the winter?

I typically make 2 to 3 trips a year but with a new little one I will be making one 6 day trip up the Gunflint for Lakers in January. I like to make a walleye trip in early December but I guess that won't happen this year.

Well got back from the first camping trip, was a lot of fun and a cool landscape to experience. No luck trapping but did get a grouse. Next stop BWCA northern pike!

quote karola: "Heading out tomorrow for my 1st winter camping trip of the season. Heading to Red Lake WMA (north of Red Lake) for a camping/trapping trip for 3 nights. Thinking of heading into the BWCA around xmas for a few day pike fishing trip.

How about others? Any fun trips planned for the winter?"

Take notes,if you see any Grouse up there,it use to be very good. Let me know.

I know some wildlife management areas you need special permits to trap certain species. Red Lake unit,I have no idea?
Good luck trapping.

Didn't see too many grouse. On Red Lake WMA, and other major WMA units, you need a free trapping permit regardless of species targeted. On all other WMAs if you are trapping beaver or otter you need a permit.

quote karola: "Didn't see too many grouse. On Red Lake WMA, and other major WMA units, you need a free trapping permit regardless of species targeted. On all other WMAs if you are trapping beaver or otter you need a permit."

Thanks for quick reply.
I have been going out around home a couple times a week might see one grouse each time out and usually get nothing,but is fun in the woods now with the snow, for you can see so many animal tracks.

The Red Lake area I was in was very desolate, for the 4 days I was there I saw: 1 hairy woodpecker, a few chickadees, 2 gray jays, 2 ruffed grouse, a handful of ravens, hare tracks, 1 set of pine marten and 1 set of red fox tracks. But, in a black spruce bog, you never know when you could stumble across an awesome sighting.

Have my first real winter trip planned just before Christmas for some pike fishing in the BWCA. Think I am up to 11 nights burning wood in a Snowtrekker so far this fall/winter. Shaping up to be a good year.

Here are a few pictures from my spearing trip to the BWCA. It was a warm, wet hike in but a good time! Can't beat hiking through 2" of snow.

Heavy Canoe and I are introducing our pre-teen daughters to winter camping in a couple of weeks. We are heading to a YMCA camp in NE Wisconsin we enjoyed as kids. They have agreed to let us set up camp and use the facilities for a nominal fee. Not our usual roughing it but great intro outing for the girls. Will get to do snow shoeing, X country skiing, and, of course, ice fishing. Our other departure from the norm is leaving the heavy canvas tent behind in favor of a double wide potable shanty.

quote karola: "


Here are a few pictures from my spearing trip to the BWCA. It was a warm, wet hike in but a good time! Can't beat hiking through 2" of snow."

Nice!! I think thats a first for myself of hearing somebody spearing in the BWCA!! Awesome! Thanks for sharing the pics.

I speared in Basswood lake a few decades ago and I now recently one of the sled dog operators took a few into Basswood.

Yes,nice going and very nice pictures.

These pics are from a couple weeks ago.

quote Soledad: "These pics are from a couple weeks ago. "

You guys are having all the fun.