I have narrowed my entry point down to either EP 16 or EP22 for my trip at the end of May/Beginning of June (After Memorial Day).
I have never explored either of these two areas. I will be taking my 12 year old along for his first trip into the BWCA. My 12 year old is also wanting to do as much fishing as possible. I was thinking about base camping on Anges or Boulder Bay if we leave from EP 16 or if we leave from EP 22 travel up Fourtown or Boot.
I am looking for any input about these areas during end of May beginning of June. How was the traffic? How was the fishing? How were the bugs?
Side note question. All my trips have been towards the end of August or September. The bugs have never been an issue. This will be my first trip during the end of May beginning of June. How are the bugs during this time?

Hey Drew,
Personally I'd pick EP 23 each time. On our first venture into the BWCA we took EP 23/Mudro up to Fairy.

We also took a daytrip into Gun lake, and thus far I have not seen a more beautiful lake - with clearer water than Gun.

Here is a link to our trip report. The portages up to Fourtown, while technical - my 7 year old at the time managed it just fine.

I really like Moose River North (#16) into Boulder or Tiger Bays. If you are willing to go a little more north, there are great campsites on the island just west of Irving island (#170 and 171). The short day trip across the bay to the pictographs on the Canadian wall of Irving Island is not to be missed. They are some of the very best Pictographs in the BWCA. Bugs - that time of year they will be starting to come out and can be very pesty if you hit a stretch of warm weather so they are all hatching.! If the water has warmed up some - the fishing should be good in both areas.

Thanks for the trip report Lindsey! Looks like you had a fun time!

Grandma L. How is the Motor Boat traffic around Irving Island?

quote drewbsd: "Thanks for the trip report Lindsey! Looks like you had a fun time!
Grandma L. How is the Motor Boat traffic around Irving Island? "

Very little if any - you might hear one now and then, but most of the area is US waters and they are illegal on our side of the channel. I was last there on an early August trip with the grandkids (they are college age) and we were in that area for 3+ days and never saw or heard any motors.

Good to know, Grandma. Planning the same trip in July except we are going to go up through Oyster and through Gebonequat (or whatever) and then into Lady Boot. On our return back we will go down through Boulder Bay and Agnes.

quote Grandma L: "

quote drewbsd: "Thanks for the trip report Lindsey! Looks like you had a fun time!
Grandma L. How is the Motor Boat traffic around Irving Island? "

Very little if any - you might hear one now and then, but most of the area is US waters and they are illegal on our side of the channel. I was last there on an early August trip with the grandkids (they are college age) and we were in that area for 3+ days and never saw or heard any motors. "

Grandma, how many folks did you run into on your August trip up to that area?
I am considering heading up there over Labor Day. Sounds like a popular area though. #170 looks like a nice spot..

Both of these entry points are great and well used. Most permits are filled every day after Memorial Day for these entries so you will not be alone.

Suggest a short loop out of Mudro up to Fourtown, Fairy to Gun over to Moosecamp lake then down the Moosecamp Creek to Fourtown. To make it a little longer go over to Horse and maybe take a day trip up to Lower Basswood Falls. Get the #23 entry permit if you want to camp on Horse and get there early. Horse fills up early.

As for bugs in Boundary Waters in late May - early June, just four words.........there will be bugs!

UPBoy

Both these areas are good...I have not been to 16 in many years as I switched over to 23. Some years bugs have been non existent at that time other years they have been horrid. You are likely to see Moose if you go 16. I have found it difficult to not catch fish on Iron and Crooked lakes. If you are accustomed to going late summer you will find fishing as different as night and day. Think on some camps that have good fishing from shore.