Howdy Yall,

I did a trip up the LIS in April a few years ago. Based on how ice out has gone the last few years I'm hoping to run up the Moose River EP#16 starting one of the last weekends of April. Does anyone know what I can expect for water levels, beaver dams or other surprises on the river over the past year or two? I obviously won't be fishing so I'll be traveling pretty light and just hoping for some scenery and wild life which should be starting to stir a little. Are there any amazing campsites I should keep an eye out for closer to the LLC area north of the river. I'll most likely look for sites on the lakes one or two portages from LLC so as to not get trapped on big water when it's still so cold!

Thanks for any tips.

bump

Well, Ice Out will be your biggest challenge - and other changing weather conditions. The earliest (ever) ice-out for some of the area lakes has been Fall Lake on 3/28/12 and Saganaga 4/2/12. The water level will be up since it is spring but they have gotten less snow than usual. Nina Moose has several good sites for small groups. The Agnes peninsula and LLC Boulder Bay both have great sites. You will probable be "alone" in the area, so you will have your pick. If the ice is out - take a day trip up to Irving Island and checkout the pictographs on the Canadian shore- -rock wall. Be careful - and watch out - cold water and unpredictable weather.

I'd stay off the big stuff unless you had 100% certainty that there was no ice left on the lake....having the wind blow ice up to your boat and trapping you in the middle of a lake (or up against a cliff) as the sun is going down is just too scary to even contemplate.

I'm certain that the rivers will be flowing at the end of April, but not so sure that the ice will be off all the lakes. Best to check with an outfitter before you go.

I'm certain that the rivers will be flowing at the end of April, but not so sure that the ice will be off all the lakes. Best to check with an outfitter before you go.

Good chance ice out will be early this year. Water levels will be up (fairly normal snow year around Ely, but not excessive) depending upon how close to ice out you travel.

I, too, like solo tripping in late April/early May, but each year is hit or miss. This one *seems* like it might be early, but a lot can change, so who knows. As egknuti says, as the date approaches, keep in touch with the outfitters to see what's happening.

Thanks folks. It does now seem that ice out won't be happening nearly as early as i was expecting it would. I might look for more moving water and try the sawbill area, that way i can talk with an outfitter right on the water and for that matter the biggest lake that i'll be on.