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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Planning 2nd trip - looking more secluded |
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12/28/2020 01:38PM
Hi all,
First post here, got this from the BWCA fishing group on Facebook.
Looking for some advice for 2nd family summer trip (myself, my wife, 2 boys age 12/16). All capable for doing some light to medium portaging, first trip last year started with a 200 rod portage that I did twice each way. We also have a dog that stays very close (but will chase squirrels). We stayed at an island site this past summer on Gabbro. Amazing trip but was surprised how busy it was, feel lucky we got our site! For our second trip we are hoping again for an island site as it's a comfort with the dog. But prefer something a little more secluded if possible. I have a few great suggestions already from the Fishing group but thought I'd post here as well. Not looking to portage a ton more than we did last time that but realize to get more secluded it will be a necessity.
Thanks for any info you can share and Happy New Year!
First post here, got this from the BWCA fishing group on Facebook.
Looking for some advice for 2nd family summer trip (myself, my wife, 2 boys age 12/16). All capable for doing some light to medium portaging, first trip last year started with a 200 rod portage that I did twice each way. We also have a dog that stays very close (but will chase squirrels). We stayed at an island site this past summer on Gabbro. Amazing trip but was surprised how busy it was, feel lucky we got our site! For our second trip we are hoping again for an island site as it's a comfort with the dog. But prefer something a little more secluded if possible. I have a few great suggestions already from the Fishing group but thought I'd post here as well. Not looking to portage a ton more than we did last time that but realize to get more secluded it will be a necessity.
Thanks for any info you can share and Happy New Year!
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12/28/2020 02:38PM
First, as I am sure you are aware, no one can "guarantee" an island site. But there are places you can go that would give you better odds. e.g. More island sites available or more remote.
More island sites:
The one place that comes to mind is Long Island Lake. Your best entry for this would be Cross Bay Lake (#50). It is a moderate to long day of paddling/portaging to get there. More solitude can be found on the eastern end of the lake.
Cherokee Lake - Your best entry to get here is Sawbill Lake (#38). Do not expect solitude here. Cherokee is a destination lake in the BW.
Seagull Lake - Entry Point is Seagull Lake (#54). No portaging and lots of island campsites. Portions of the lake are open to motorized traffic so expect to encounter motorboats. Be aware that some of the lake is in burn zones. Very busy lake.
Alpine Lake - Entry Point is Seagull Lake #54) - Several island campsites here. easy portage from Seagull Lake. Most of the campsites are in burn zones. Also a busy lake.
Phoebe Lake - Entry Point is Sawbill Lake - There are 3 island campsites here. It is a moderate to long day of paddling and borders on the more remote, but this lake is known for its walleye catch and can get busy at times of year.
More remote:
More remote usually means smaller lakes with more risk of campsites no being available. More remote also means more work. Usually a lot more.
Wine Lake - Entry Point is Sawbill Lake. - It is a long day to this lake. Not many have the fortitude for the 480 rd Lujenida to Zenith Lake portage. That's what gives this route the solitude it has. One 5 star campsite on Wine Lake.
Snipe Lake - Entry 51 Missing Link Lake - There are 2 medium to rugged portages to Snipe Lake and only one 3 star island site there. This lake never fails to give me the feeling of stepping way back in time.
Tuscarora/Crooked Island Sites - Entry is #51 Missing Link - the 360 rd portage to Tuscarora is usually no barrier to those wishing to fish Tuscarora Lake. The island site in the very middle of the lake is great. Nice sloping rock for swimming. Good tent pads. If that one is taken you can continue on to Crooked Lake. The western most island site is a 5 star beauty. Nice rock for jumping into the lake. We watched schools of fish swimming by both days we were there.
I am sure that others will have some options for you as well.
Please have safe trip with your pooch. I hate reading stories of missing dogs.
More island sites:
The one place that comes to mind is Long Island Lake. Your best entry for this would be Cross Bay Lake (#50). It is a moderate to long day of paddling/portaging to get there. More solitude can be found on the eastern end of the lake.
Cherokee Lake - Your best entry to get here is Sawbill Lake (#38). Do not expect solitude here. Cherokee is a destination lake in the BW.
Seagull Lake - Entry Point is Seagull Lake (#54). No portaging and lots of island campsites. Portions of the lake are open to motorized traffic so expect to encounter motorboats. Be aware that some of the lake is in burn zones. Very busy lake.
Alpine Lake - Entry Point is Seagull Lake #54) - Several island campsites here. easy portage from Seagull Lake. Most of the campsites are in burn zones. Also a busy lake.
Phoebe Lake - Entry Point is Sawbill Lake - There are 3 island campsites here. It is a moderate to long day of paddling and borders on the more remote, but this lake is known for its walleye catch and can get busy at times of year.
More remote:
More remote usually means smaller lakes with more risk of campsites no being available. More remote also means more work. Usually a lot more.
Wine Lake - Entry Point is Sawbill Lake. - It is a long day to this lake. Not many have the fortitude for the 480 rd Lujenida to Zenith Lake portage. That's what gives this route the solitude it has. One 5 star campsite on Wine Lake.
Snipe Lake - Entry 51 Missing Link Lake - There are 2 medium to rugged portages to Snipe Lake and only one 3 star island site there. This lake never fails to give me the feeling of stepping way back in time.
Tuscarora/Crooked Island Sites - Entry is #51 Missing Link - the 360 rd portage to Tuscarora is usually no barrier to those wishing to fish Tuscarora Lake. The island site in the very middle of the lake is great. Nice sloping rock for swimming. Good tent pads. If that one is taken you can continue on to Crooked Lake. The western most island site is a 5 star beauty. Nice rock for jumping into the lake. We watched schools of fish swimming by both days we were there.
I am sure that others will have some options for you as well.
Please have safe trip with your pooch. I hate reading stories of missing dogs.
12/28/2020 06:25PM
Josh, here is a thought for you. Use the Hog Creek entry and make your way to Perent Lake where there are 6 island campsites. It is not a real popular entry so I would think your odds would be pretty good of securing one of them.
The details: There is potentially only one portage and that is a short one from the car to the entry point on Hog Creek. You might possibly have to pullover a beaver dam but i don't remember doing it on our trip. Hog Creek is a winding narrow creek that is kind of cool at first and has some scenic areas but honestly it gets a little monotonous eventually, but it is a means to an end. The biggest challenge here is pretty much constant maneuvering around curves on a narrow river and you might well bury the bow of the canoe in the weeds on shore a time or two, part of the fun:)
Perent is a moderately large lake and shallow so it is prone to rough seas if the wind is strong and depending on direction. But I have also paddled it on a perfectly calm morning and it is a very pretty lake with lots of islands and random rock formations jutting out of the water. It is also known as a pretty good walleye lake.
The campsite ratings for the island campsites are good too; there are two 3's, three 4's and a 5 with 5 being the best possible rating. We stayed on one of them for 4 days a few years ago and had a fair amount of wind but we were able to get out paddling a few times. Caught some nice walleye right from shore too. If this piques your interest do some research, there are several trip reports you can read. It really is an easy trip in to a pretty lake with island campsites galore and the possibility of some pretty good fishing too. I don't think the Hog creek entry is very popular either, when we were there we saw few people the whole time we were there and all campsites we saw were empty.
Typical Perent Lake scenery
Have fun.
The details: There is potentially only one portage and that is a short one from the car to the entry point on Hog Creek. You might possibly have to pullover a beaver dam but i don't remember doing it on our trip. Hog Creek is a winding narrow creek that is kind of cool at first and has some scenic areas but honestly it gets a little monotonous eventually, but it is a means to an end. The biggest challenge here is pretty much constant maneuvering around curves on a narrow river and you might well bury the bow of the canoe in the weeds on shore a time or two, part of the fun:)
Perent is a moderately large lake and shallow so it is prone to rough seas if the wind is strong and depending on direction. But I have also paddled it on a perfectly calm morning and it is a very pretty lake with lots of islands and random rock formations jutting out of the water. It is also known as a pretty good walleye lake.
The campsite ratings for the island campsites are good too; there are two 3's, three 4's and a 5 with 5 being the best possible rating. We stayed on one of them for 4 days a few years ago and had a fair amount of wind but we were able to get out paddling a few times. Caught some nice walleye right from shore too. If this piques your interest do some research, there are several trip reports you can read. It really is an easy trip in to a pretty lake with island campsites galore and the possibility of some pretty good fishing too. I don't think the Hog creek entry is very popular either, when we were there we saw few people the whole time we were there and all campsites we saw were empty.
Typical Perent Lake scenery
Have fun.
12/28/2020 09:04PM
Josh, Remote usually means having to work to get there. I am a big fan of Little Saganaga which has multiple island sites. It will take 2 to 3 days to get there. You can come in from either Gunflint or Ely. A nice trip is EP 25 up the border lakes. You can take inThunder Point on Knife, see Eddy Falls and down to Little Sag or you could grab an island site on Gabimichigami at the 27 mile mark. Gabi is a great lake too. On more portage gets you to Little Sag. I love this area of the BWCA. We were on Little Sage last week of July this past summer and did not see any one else. I have spent 2 nights on Gabi on different trips and 2 on Little Sag.
If they knew better, they'd do better
12/29/2020 08:17AM
lindylair
The campsite ratings for the island campsites are good too; there are two 3's, three 4's and a 5 with 5 being the best possible rating. We stayed on one of them for 4 days a few years ago and had a fair amount of wind but we were able to get out paddling a few times. Caught some nice walleye right from shore too."
Great stuff here from lindy - but don't get too caught up in campsite ratings... I have been to ones that are 5 star rated on here, and thought "meh" and also have been to sites that only had 2 or 3 stars on here and thought they were great sites. It all depends on what you need and how many people you have. Don't just paddle on by because someone said it isn't a great site.
12/29/2020 08:32AM
"
Great stuff here from lindy - but don't get too caught up in campsite ratings... I have been to ones that are 5 star rated on here, and thought "meh" and also have been to sites that only had 2 or 3 stars on here and thought they were great sites. It all depends on what you need and how many people you have. Don't just paddle on by because someone said it isn't a great site."
Exactly this. I saw a few sites last year rated 2 or 3 because they couldn't accommodate a large group. For just my wife and I it was an perfect site.
12/29/2020 08:53AM
Welcome! You have come to the right place to get loads of information. You didn't say it outright, but it sounds like you prefer to basecamp. It helps people make recommendations if you confirm this and give info about how far you are willing to travel and how many days you are going. Also, are you limited to one end of the BWCA or the other?
Meeds Lake is often overlooked because of the portage to get in. Two island campsites. The Meeds permits often go unused so not a lot of traffic compared to other nearby lakes. But you can still do numerous day trips from there.
I love Little Sag, definitely worth the trip to get there. It is a big enough lake and not as well traveled as other bigger lakes so that you do not feel the crowds. Long Island Lake has some cool island sites, but it has been hit or miss getting them when I have gone.
I am someone who completely ignores campsite ratings, because I find I disagree more than I agree with the rating. Usually 5 star sites feel like an army just finished camping there. I love discovering sites that still have pine needles covering the ground.
Have fun planning the trip! It is one of my favorite ways to spend the long winter months.
Meeds Lake is often overlooked because of the portage to get in. Two island campsites. The Meeds permits often go unused so not a lot of traffic compared to other nearby lakes. But you can still do numerous day trips from there.
I love Little Sag, definitely worth the trip to get there. It is a big enough lake and not as well traveled as other bigger lakes so that you do not feel the crowds. Long Island Lake has some cool island sites, but it has been hit or miss getting them when I have gone.
I am someone who completely ignores campsite ratings, because I find I disagree more than I agree with the rating. Usually 5 star sites feel like an army just finished camping there. I love discovering sites that still have pine needles covering the ground.
Have fun planning the trip! It is one of my favorite ways to spend the long winter months.
12/29/2020 09:05AM
lindylair: "Josh, here is a thought for you. Use the Hog Creek entry and make your way to Perent Lake where there are 6 island campsites. It is not a real popular entry so I would think your odds would be pretty good of securing one of them.
"
Someone else suggested Perent to me, looks great, lots of sites to choose from. I was worried it would be too busy with as "easy" as the access looks without any significant portage. I've read a couple people say it was busy and a couple say it was underutilized so I'm guessing it's a matter of luck on that. It might also be quiet as it seems like an area you are kind of locked into, not too many nearby lakes other than Isabella that are easily accessible?
Thanks for the advice!
12/29/2020 09:06AM
Secluded means more effort normally. Are you still wanting to get to a single camp in one day? Stay there a while and head back out?
Some good options said already of varying difficulty to get to. If money isn't a big deal, get a ride from Andersons or someone in the Crane lake area to Loon Lake or Beatty portage. Pricey but a fun ride and way to get your seclusion without the effort. Paddle the rest of the way along the border to Snow Bay of Lac La Croix where I think four island sites await. I've stayed at one and had a great time and saw few people. One portage to do unless you want to pay for the Beatty portage and then you'd have no portages....but that's kinda cheating
My other idea is get a Mudro entry, either one, and head through sandpit into Jackfish Bay of Basswood lake. Paddle up the Bay beyond the no motor line and there you will find at least three or four island sites. No long portages, with a good start in the morning you could be there by lunch or early afternoon.
Some good options said already of varying difficulty to get to. If money isn't a big deal, get a ride from Andersons or someone in the Crane lake area to Loon Lake or Beatty portage. Pricey but a fun ride and way to get your seclusion without the effort. Paddle the rest of the way along the border to Snow Bay of Lac La Croix where I think four island sites await. I've stayed at one and had a great time and saw few people. One portage to do unless you want to pay for the Beatty portage and then you'd have no portages....but that's kinda cheating
My other idea is get a Mudro entry, either one, and head through sandpit into Jackfish Bay of Basswood lake. Paddle up the Bay beyond the no motor line and there you will find at least three or four island sites. No long portages, with a good start in the morning you could be there by lunch or early afternoon.
12/29/2020 09:35AM
straighthairedcurly: "Welcome! You have come to the right place to get loads of information. You didn't say it outright, but it sounds like you prefer to basecamp. It helps people make recommendations if you confirm this and give info about how far you are willing to travel and how many days you are going. Also, are you limited to one end of the BWCA or the other?
...
"
Yes, thank you for that reminder. With the family we prefer to camp once and explore the area on canoes during the day, vs. staying a different spot each night. Maybe after a few more trips out we'll feel more comfortable re-packing and going to a few different campsites.
Not really limited to one end of the BWCA that I'm aware of other than the Canadian border still being closed? I assume that's going to lift by summer though. But as far as East/West goes I think we'd try anything!
I like what you and others have said about sites, I look more at the comments to see what the liked or disliked. Photos also help. Using paddle-planner site (remove the dash), assuming that's the go-to trip planner here? It's pretty amazing and a time sink!
Meeds looks great, you could circumvent that one LONG portage and go through Caribou and do 4 short ones - might be a nice trip. The entry points are strange, 3 stacked right on top of each other 47,48,49 and then another 59 a little bit to the east.
Little Sag looks a little tougher - showing 7 portages, but fun as well. Gonna be tough to choose!
Thanks for the suggestions!
12/29/2020 09:47AM
Michwall2: "First, as I am sure you are aware, no one can "guarantee" an island site. But there are places you can go that would give you better odds. e.g. More island sites available or more remote.
...
Please have safe trip with your pooch. I hate reading stories of missing dogs.
"
Thank you for all the suggestions, will be sure to look at each - and dog loss is a concern. He's REALLY good with staying close, especially to mom, but squirrels could lead him astray so we bring leash/tether with. The island sites definately help keep us a little calmer in regards to him running off.
12/29/2020 09:48AM
Josh T, EP's 47, 48, 49 all start at Poplar Lake but they each go into the BWCA from different portages. In my experience the further in you go and the worse portages you take the more seclusion you will have. My good friends family has been going to Little Sag for quite some time and they love it for the seclusion.
12/29/2020 09:48AM
Perent can get loud at times. Because it's so easy to get to, parties who don't want to work too hard often will base camp there much like Lake One. I've had friends who have had to leave the lake due to the racousness of other campers.
That said, Hog Creek is cool. It takes a bit of time as it winds a lot. You likely will have beaver pullovers to deal with. Not a big deal.
Mike
That said, Hog Creek is cool. It takes a bit of time as it winds a lot. You likely will have beaver pullovers to deal with. Not a big deal.
Mike
I did indeed rock down to Electric Avenue, but I did not take it higher. I regret that.
12/29/2020 09:51AM
cyclones30: "Secluded means more effort normally. Are you still wanting to get to a single camp in one day? Stay there a while and head back out?
...
My other idea is get a Mudro entry, either one, and head through sandpit into Jackfish Bay of Basswood lake. Paddle up the Bay beyond the no motor line and there you will find at least three or four island sites. No long portages, with a good start in the morning you could be there by lunch or early afternoon. "
Thanks, I should've specified - thinking more of a single camp for multiple days and day trip around. As we get more experienced perhaps switch to multiple sites.
Mudro/Basswood looks like a nice option - not sure where the no motor line is?
Thanks!
12/29/2020 10:07AM
Brule can be a nice lake if you like island sites. Lower Cone also has an island site as the only site on the lake. I like Brule because of the numerous options it provides. You can go north through the Cone lakes or towards Winchell, West to the Temperance lakes, East to Vernon, South to Vern and Homer, or even stay on Brule and explore the big lake. You might not get solitude on Brule itself, but if you get away from the EP it won't be crowded.
Plus, the further you get from Ely, the more likely you are to get some solitude. Brule doesn't have an outfitter at the entry point so you don't people filling the daily quota nearly as much as Ely entry points do.
Plus, the further you get from Ely, the more likely you are to get some solitude. Brule doesn't have an outfitter at the entry point so you don't people filling the daily quota nearly as much as Ely entry points do.
12/29/2020 10:53AM
MikeinMpls: "Perent can get loud at times. Because it's so easy to get to, parties who don't want to work too hard often will base camp there much like Lake One. I've had friends who have had to leave the lake due to the racousness of other campers.
That said, Hog Creek is cool. It takes a bit of time as it winds a lot. You likely will have beaver pullovers to deal with. Not a big deal.
Mike"
That's really a bummer, I guess that can happen anywhere with bad luck. I don't know what kind of base camp Perent makes, seems like you can only go east to Isabella?
We do plan to leave on a Monday and return by the weekend so we hopefully avoid the weekend warriors. :)
12/29/2020 12:10PM
Insula Lake has 43 sites and many islands and sand beaches. A great place to basecamp. Entering from Lake One will take 5-7 hours to get there.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
12/29/2020 12:29PM
There is a nice island campsite at the far end of Horse Lake. I didn’t see many people when we used it. To get there you go out of Mudro and that first portage sucks. It’s tough for a first portage and last. Once you get by it it’s not bad.
12/29/2020 01:41PM
AmarilloJim: "Trout lake and do day trips. Lots of islands but may see some people. Also a motor lake."
We did a Trout Lake entry one year, but stayed on Pine instead of Trout to get away from motors. The portage into Pine was good footing...I did it with a broken ankle that was 3 weeks into mending. Nice daytrips from there for sure.
12/29/2020 01:43PM
Josh T: "MikeinMpls: "Perent can get loud at times. Because it's so easy to get to, parties who don't want to work too hard often will base camp there much like Lake One. I've had friends who have had to leave the lake due to the racousness of other campers.
That said, Hog Creek is cool. It takes a bit of time as it winds a lot. You likely will have beaver pullovers to deal with. Not a big deal.
Mike"
That's really a bummer, I guess that can happen anywhere with bad luck. I don't know what kind of base camp Perent makes, seems like you can only go east to Isabella?
We do plan to leave on a Monday and return by the weekend so we hopefully avoid the weekend warriors. :)"
Good plan.
I've not done Perent to Isabella so I can't speak to that. Others surely have. Hopefully they'll chime in.
Mike
I did indeed rock down to Electric Avenue, but I did not take it higher. I regret that.
12/29/2020 03:10PM
bombinbrian: "There is a nice island campsite at the far end of Horse Lake. I didn’t see many people when we used it. To get there you go out of Mudro and that first portage sucks. It’s tough for a first portage and last. Once you get by it it’s not bad. "
We tried that island site but it was taken, so we did the site just NE of it. That was really nice as well.
Yeah the Mudro-Sandpit portage is pretty tough even though it's short. I think it's worse coming out though.
12/29/2020 05:39PM
Ogishkemuncie has several island sites and is fairly easy to get to. Only problem is there tends to be a lot of traffic on Ogish since it is sort of a crossroads for a few different routes. But if Ogish was too busy for your liking you could shoot down to Gabimichigami or Little Sag which both have island sites.
Not sure what you want to fish for, but Ogish is the only one of those lakes with walleyes.
Not sure what you want to fish for, but Ogish is the only one of those lakes with walleyes.
12/29/2020 07:09PM
Perent has a lot of campsites and easy entry so one might assume that it is a busy spot. I am sure you could go there at times and find it somewhat busy but the Hog creek entry is historically among the lower third of permit usage percentages - lots of people don't go because it is kind of a dead end route, nowhere to go from there. But if you are interested in a basecamp situation with easy entry, good scenery and good fishing, I still say it is a good option.
I agree with the comments about campsite ratings. The OP expressed a desire for an island campsite with the dog along which I get and would probably do the same - peace of mind. My tripping buddy and I often stay at 2 to 3 star campsites that we think are just fine. My point in including the campsite ratings is to let the OP there are lots of good options for island camping there. If all of the 6 island sites are rated 3-5 stars, as subjective as that is, there is a good chance they could end up with a pretty decent island camp.
I was going to suggest Meeds Lake as well, it is another overlooked spot with some nice sites and good fishing. The long portage in is challenging but as noted it can be done with a Lizz entry and heading west to Meeds for a very nice paddle - more portages but about half of the overall length and less challenge. The first and second sites are both islands and very nice. The third is on mainland and an okay site as well.
Honestly the Hog Creek to Perent Lake trip wasn't my favorite but we had a lot of wind when we were there but I could definitely see the potential for a great relaxing, easy entry trip with good fishing if the wind gods cooperated. When I recommended it I was focused on minimal portaging and availability of island campsites - it fits the bill for that.
I agree with the comments about campsite ratings. The OP expressed a desire for an island campsite with the dog along which I get and would probably do the same - peace of mind. My tripping buddy and I often stay at 2 to 3 star campsites that we think are just fine. My point in including the campsite ratings is to let the OP there are lots of good options for island camping there. If all of the 6 island sites are rated 3-5 stars, as subjective as that is, there is a good chance they could end up with a pretty decent island camp.
I was going to suggest Meeds Lake as well, it is another overlooked spot with some nice sites and good fishing. The long portage in is challenging but as noted it can be done with a Lizz entry and heading west to Meeds for a very nice paddle - more portages but about half of the overall length and less challenge. The first and second sites are both islands and very nice. The third is on mainland and an okay site as well.
Honestly the Hog Creek to Perent Lake trip wasn't my favorite but we had a lot of wind when we were there but I could definitely see the potential for a great relaxing, easy entry trip with good fishing if the wind gods cooperated. When I recommended it I was focused on minimal portaging and availability of island campsites - it fits the bill for that.
12/29/2020 08:16PM
Lindy, really appreciate the followup and additional info.
It's funny you mention Meeds and Perent both here as my wife and I are currently debating between these two. With some other options like Cummings, Basswood, Brule, etc still in the mix. Need to do a little more research, read trip reports, etc and then just go with one and make the best of it. A BWCA trip that isn't perfect still beats a week of sitting in the office!
Can't thank everyone enough for the helpful comments.
It's funny you mention Meeds and Perent both here as my wife and I are currently debating between these two. With some other options like Cummings, Basswood, Brule, etc still in the mix. Need to do a little more research, read trip reports, etc and then just go with one and make the best of it. A BWCA trip that isn't perfect still beats a week of sitting in the office!
Can't thank everyone enough for the helpful comments.
12/29/2020 09:36PM
Seagull/Alpine is quite doable (as mentioned above). If you continue on for three more short portages, you'll reach Ogish. There are a couple really nice sites on that lake and spread far enough apart that can provide you with the seclusion you're seeking. Fishing is pretty good too!
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
12/29/2020 09:55PM
Josh T: "cyclones30: "Secluded means more effort normally. Are you still wanting to get to a single camp in one day? Stay there a while and head back out?
...
My other idea is get a Mudro entry, either one, and head through sandpit into Jackfish Bay of Basswood lake. Paddle up the Bay beyond the no motor line and there you will find at least three or four island sites. No long portages, with a good start in the morning you could be there by lunch or early afternoon. "
Thanks, I should've specified - thinking more of a single camp for multiple days and day trip around. As we get more experienced perhaps switch to multiple sites.
Mudro/Basswood looks like a nice option - not sure where the no motor line is?
Thanks!"
No worries. I'll try and explain a little better. Mudro is a very popular entry point but most people tend to go to Horse and to water falls and Crooked or beyond or turn west to Fourtown whereas you'd be heading east right away at Sandpit and into Basswood @ Jackfish Bay and getting away from the busiest routes pretty quick. However, that southern end of Jackfish Bay allows a few permitted small motor boats so there's a chance you might see one fishing while passing through, or you might not. (not a big deal to me) The no motor line they can't cross is at the narrows (circled in black). All the sites you'd want to stay at are north of that line so you'd be camping well out of their range and within view of Canada most likely. A must do day trip (or two or three) would be the Basswood Falls areas just to your west (yellow). Park the canoe at the upper landing and pull it up and out of the way on land so others can use it. Hike the many trails and off-shoots to the river, fish, take pictures, explore the rapids, swim if it's warm enough. All of Basswood and that whole route has tremendous fishing potential.
01/01/2021 11:10AM
TuscaroraBorealis:
"Maybe look at Banadad Lake.
....or perhaps Quadga Lake.
"
Very nice reports, great pics! Quadga looks nice, unrated island site on nearby Rice lake...
Banadad looks great too - Poplar lake entrance?
Thank you
01/01/2021 12:02PM
TuscaroraBorealis: "jtruts: "tumblehome: "Josh T. Time to join.
The group has given you a TON of guest advice.
"
Done!
Thanks, Josh"
Welcome to bwca.com! Officially"
Can't wait for my swag bag to arrive in the mail. ;)
01/02/2021 09:42AM
Cummings lake is another great option for a family. Take the tow across Burntside and it's a beautiful trip in from there. The first portage is long, buts it wide, flat and easy. However, if double portaging, I could see that possibly being prohibitive for you. Couple of nice Island campsites on Cummings. Good fishing. Nice daytrip options.
01/08/2021 12:32PM
We did the Mudro to jackfish bay last year. It was pretty easy going after the steep hill at Sandpit. (not that bad)
My biggest concern was wind out on the big water of jackfish bay but it was almost glass and we sailed right thru. We did see a few motorboats but didn't bother us at all.
We camped around the corner from the Basswood River on a crappy site but that was all that was available without making the 2 mile portage into the Basswood River.
When you come off the Portage from Sandpit to the river that leads to Jackfish Bay make sure you go left and not right. Don't ask how I know. LOL
My biggest concern was wind out on the big water of jackfish bay but it was almost glass and we sailed right thru. We did see a few motorboats but didn't bother us at all.
We camped around the corner from the Basswood River on a crappy site but that was all that was available without making the 2 mile portage into the Basswood River.
When you come off the Portage from Sandpit to the river that leads to Jackfish Bay make sure you go left and not right. Don't ask how I know. LOL
cyclones30: "Josh T: "cyclones30: "Secluded means more effort normally. Are you still wanting to get to a single camp in one day? Stay there a while and head back out?
...
My other idea is get a Mudro entry, either one, and head through sandpit into Jackfish Bay of Basswood lake. Paddle up the Bay beyond the no motor line and there you will find at least three or four island sites. No long portages, with a good start in the morning you could be there by lunch or early afternoon. "
Thanks, I should've specified - thinking more of a single camp for multiple days and day trip around. As we get more experienced perhaps switch to multiple sites.
Mudro/Basswood looks like a nice option - not sure where the no motor line is?
Thanks!"
No worries. I'll try and explain a little better. Mudro is a very popular entry point but most people tend to go to Horse and to water falls and Crooked or beyond or turn west to Fourtown whereas you'd be heading east right away at Sandpit and into Basswood @ Jackfish Bay and getting away from the busiest routes pretty quick. However, that southern end of Jackfish Bay allows a few permitted small motor boats so there's a chance you might see one fishing while passing through, or you might not. (not a big deal to me) The no motor line they can't cross is at the narrows (circled in black). All the sites you'd want to stay at are north of that line so you'd be camping well out of their range and within view of Canada most likely. A must do day trip (or two or three) would be the Basswood Falls areas just to your west (yellow). Park the canoe at the upper landing and pull it up and out of the way on land so others can use it. Hike the many trails and off-shoots to the river, fish, take pictures, explore the rapids, swim if it's warm enough. All of Basswood and that whole route has tremendous fishing potential.
"
01/08/2021 07:58PM
Jeffrey Bushman: "We did the Mudro to jackfish bay last year. It was pretty easy going after the steep hill at Sandpit. (not that bad)
My biggest concern was wind out on the big water of jackfish bay but it was almost glass and we sailed right thru. We did see a few motorboats but didn't bother us at all.
We camped around the corner from the Basswood River on a crappy site but that was all that was available without making the 2 mile portage into the Basswood River.
When you come off the Portage from Sandpit to the river that leads to Jackfish Bay make sure you go left and not right. Don't ask how I know. LOL
Thanks Jeffrey - we think we've settled on this route, hopefully the northern most island site, it's a heck of a paddle but plan to stop along the way, then we are close to the falls etc. Funny you mention the wind as that was a concern of mine, hopefully we will get the same luck. Do you recall your campsite number?
Again appreciate all the feedback, looking forward to planning the details.
01/12/2021 01:17PM
jtruts: "Jeffrey Bushman: "We did the Mudro to jackfish bay last year. It was pretty easy going after the steep hill at Sandpit. (not that bad)
My biggest concern was wind out on the big water of jackfish bay but it was almost glass and we sailed right thru. We did see a few motorboats but didn't bother us at all.
We camped around the corner from the Basswood River on a crappy site but that was all that was available without making the 2 mile portage into the Basswood River.
When you come off the Portage from Sandpit to the river that leads to Jackfish Bay make sure you go left and not right. Don't ask how I know. LOL
Thanks Jeffrey - we think we've settled on this route, hopefully the northern most island site, it's a heck of a paddle but plan to stop along the way, then we are close to the falls etc. Funny you mention the wind as that was a concern of mine, hopefully we will get the same luck. Do you recall your campsite number?
Again appreciate all the feedback, looking forward to planning the details."
Site 1536
On the map on this site it is marked with a blue dot. Not sure why.
Avoid it if possible.
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