BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 07 2025
Entry Point 62 - Clearwater Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1673 feet
Latitude: 48.0702
Longitude: -90.3752
Clearwater Lake - 62
Crocodile Lake Basecamp
Entry Date:
May 23, 2013
Entry Point:
East Bearskin Lake
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
2
Wednesday I awaken with a swollen and very sore foot, yet I am determine to see how I will make it today on the day trip! I have my breakfast of grilled bagels, butter, and strawberry jam with coffee then head out into the canoe to fish a little as I wait for my friends. It is after 9:00 when we start fishing as we go with them catching a few northerns on beetle spins, and me catching nothing but having a few hits on a buzz bait! A family passes us with a couple of Boy Scouts with them, we let them portage in front of us. I make it through the 24 rod portage, Amber had asked if she could help by carrying my paddle and fishing rods as she was doing for them, and I let her. Once on the other side we converse with the other group for a minute telling them of several good campsites as they ask questions about Iron Lake. They head out for the 65 rod portage and we continue out paddling, talking more than fishing. We finally formally introduce ourselves and now I know more about Monte and Amber. We reach the narrow part of the Boulder River and start fishing hard… Amber drops a leech under a cork and immediately catches a 3 lb smallie, second cast a 4 lb smallie! Monte catches a smallie or two and a couple of nice walleye, while I manage to get bit off twice and catch a 3 inch long perch… what luck! We move down the river catching fish as we go, I continue to get bit off on Gitzits, and also catch a 2 lb Smallie on a leech. We see a nice buck deer near the last set of rapids we plan to fish. We take our lunches and move out to a nice rock ledge and I immediately start to catch smallmouth, first a 4 lb that get off as I bend down to take out the hook, no picture there. Then a 2 lb, and then more getting bitten off! Monte is also catching fish, Amber has no luck yet! The leech and cork bite dies and I go to a Lindy rigged leech and immediately hook a big fish which I get close to shore before it breaks my line… I never get to see it! I re-tie and cast again, and wham!! A big fish that immediately takes line and doesn’t slow down! About that time a 36 inch plus northern jumps out of the water, twice before it too breaks my line… oh well at least I got to see it! I manage to catch a nice walleye which I release before we head to the 115 rod portage back to camp. At the portage I step off into knee deep mud with my bad foot! It is fun getting out of it, but I do and make the portage okay, just slow and somewhat painful. Monte and Amber are headed out tomorrow so they head to camp to break down everything except their tent. I too head to camp to prepare to leave. I take down the tarp and fold it putting it in it’s bag that my wife had made me. Everything except the tent, Thermarest and sleeping bag is ready to go as I prepare my evening meal of 3 cheese tortilleni again… I told you it was my favorite of the trip!! I retire early, I have a long painful day ahead of me tomorrow!