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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Late Ice Out - Backup Plan
 
Author Message Text
CrookedPaddler1
04/03/2018 10:35AM
  
Ice will be out by the time you start your trip. If not, we are in a whole lot of trouble!!!!


One of the advantages of an early ice out is that you should have an easier time targeting Lake Trout if you are so inclined. The colder the water the more active they are! Troll crankbaits in relatively shallow water (around 15' would be where I would start and adjust from there)
 
old_salt
04/03/2018 10:54AM
  
As Sarah Palin is fond of saying, 'drill baby, drill'. I can see Russia from here.


Bring a hand auger.
 
Atrain
04/02/2018 11:20AM
  
Don't forget about the Souix-Hustler trail in the EP14 area by LIS. Thats a nice loop that goes by some nice lakes and also by Devil's Cascade (camp right by there if you wanted). I guess it depends on how many miles you want to put down. Trail Map
 
SevenofNine
04/02/2018 01:18PM
  
You could also do the Angleworm trail since you will be in the Ely area.

Remember you would need a permit for either of the trails listed. You just never know if permits will be available on the date your mentioned until you check.

For outside the BWCA you could try a hike/camp out at Bear Head state park. There is remote camping on Becky and Blueberry lakes.

Bear Head Map
 
BigBearArlich
04/02/2018 10:04AM
  
Howdy!

My group has a permit booked for EP 27 - Snowbank, entering on May 16th for 4 days. Our original goal was Thomas lake and the focus was fishing. This is the earliest we've ever planned a trip - Ive never had to think about Ice Out dates.

So... now I have to think about ice out dates.

We cant push our trip any later. Looking for some ideas for what else we could do in the Ely / Snowbank area if the ice is still on the lakes - could we turn it into a backpacking trip? Hiking trails with access to campsites? Looking at my maps Im seeing Snowbank Trail, Kekekabic Trail, but Ive never used the hiking trails in the bwca, and it doesnt look like these trails hit many campsites.

Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,

-Jerod