BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
August 21 2025
Entry Point 32 - South Kawishiwi River
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1201 feet
Latitude: 47.8419
Longitude: -91.6632
South Kawishiwi River - 32
EP33 – Late Summer Flora & Fauna
Entry Date:
August 14, 2024
Entry Point:
Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Day 1 – Thursday August 14
Woke up in Ely to a beautifully clear and crisp morning which always feels like a win on day one. We stopped by Northern Grounds for coffee, but left with only a scone as their drip maker wasn’t working. A quick detour up to Log Cabin drive-through and we were sorted. Headed to EP33 into Little Gabbro lake fueled by fresh coffee and the best scone I have ever had. White chocolate and blueberry.
We pulled into the entry point and had canoes and gear unloaded by 7:45. The portage was in excellent shape, despite one small tree down blocking the trail within the first hundred yards. Our boats were in the water by 10 after 8.
Upon entering Little Gabbro, we noticed strong south easterlies which inevitably make for a slow slog across a windy and wavy Gabbro that required concentration and smart paddling. With the first 5 campsites on the western part of Gabbro taken, we felt like this might be the year we have to venture over to the Bald Eagle side to find accommodations. The lake was busier than I had ever seen in the previous four years. However, we luckily found 1714 open which proved to be a perfect site for our group of four who all sleep in hammocks. We landed there by 9:30 and got set up.
The remainder of Thursday was spent fishing and dodging stray showers. We made a small fire that evening and star gazed with little luck as the sky was mostly overcast. We were all encouraged to our hammocks in order to be up early to fish Friday morning.
Day 2 – Friday August 15
We woke to a gray and somewhat humid morning given some overnight showers. After a mostly sunny Thursday the overcast skies were welcomed—this is my favorite type of day in the BWCA. It seemed like fishing would be good given conditions. With a slight breeze that shifted overnight coming from the west, we headed into the two deep inlets on the northern side of the lake after some intel from another group the day prior. While we didn’t get much smallmouth action—only managing one—we did find some very aggressive Northern Pike, and many pan sized Bluegills along with a couple perfect 13-15” eater-sized walleye. After only 90 minutes of fishing—lunch was sorted for Friday with a fish fry back at camp.
An afternoon break in the clouds coaxed out the sun and we were getting warm so decided to paddle across the bay to the only sandy shore on the lake. Was this an old outflow from an ancient river that is no longer there? Why is there only one sandy shoreline on the entire lake? The 75º water felt amazing and we spent a good two hours wading around, cooling off, and just taking in the fact that we had our own private beach. I’m always amazed that I never see anyone taking advantage of this beach.
We paddled back to camp and were entertained by a magnificent golden eagle stoically stand in a dead pine tree only 20 feet above water. An imposing character made of the darkest coffee colored feathers, he or she stood there for us to take as many photos and videos as we pleased. I appreciate that. We made dinner and headed back out to our fishing grounds for the evening bite. Fishing was still good, with many 12-16” walleye and smaller northern being caught. Plenty enough for entertainment. It was a calm, gorgeous evening spent on the lake with huge puffy clouds off to the east being illuminated by a brightly setting sun to the west.
Day 3 – Saturday August 16
Again we woke up to a cool morning with overcast skies and a slight sprinkle. We downed a quick breakfast and donned our rain gear and headed back out for more fishing in the same spot(s). Another great morning of fishing lead to another fish fry for lunch consisting of walleye and Bluegill. Saturday evening was spent watching a pair of immaculate looking trumpeter swans cruising around in front of our campsite dining on wild rice—picking every last stalk clean of its green, immature seeds. We were also entertained by a boisterous and seemingly hungry red squirrel who was binge eating pinecones.
Saturday night was crystal clear which made for insane stargazing. All four of us found a spot on the large sloping rock face of our campsite and just lay there taking in one of my favorite features of this beautiful planet. The night sky.
Day 4 – Sunday August 17
The last morning, which always seems to be perfect weather-wise, and never not bitter sweet. With our trips always being on the short side it always feels like we are leaving when we’re just getting settled in. Despite that, it was a great morning with the same pair of swans taking a swim out in front of our camp. Perhaps they wanted to show of their brilliantly white feathers in the morning sun.
Seeing 7 canoes from two different groups heading west, it looked like everyone was leaving that morning. We waited till 9:30 or so and ventured to check out a few of the newly vacant campsites for recon for the next trip. With strong easterly winds, (now at our backs) we soft paddled across Gabbro and into our exit point. We busted the portage out in one go and made our way back to Ely, with us remarking how “easy” and relaxing this trip felt.
I find that my BWCA trips are a reset, allowing me to escape stress from work and raising three young kids. The only stress in the BWCA is what you make of it, you can be hurried, frantic, worried, and stressed. Or, you can roll with nature, embrace the mosquitoes, rain, wind and have a stressless experience. I much prefer the latter. And that's what keeps me logging on to Reacreation.gov that cold morning in January to roll the dice on a permit with the thousands of others who I hope are there for the same reason.