BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 25 2026
Entry Point 29 - North Kawishiwi River
North Kawishiwi River entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 15 miles. Access the North Kawishiwi River through Ojibway Lake and Triangle Lake using two portages.
Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1249 feet
Latitude: 47.9543
Longitude: -91.5641
North Kawishiwi River - 29
Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1249 feet
Latitude: 47.9543
Longitude: -91.5641
North Kawishiwi River - 29
Ma and Pa make it to Insula
by lundojam
Trip Report
Entry Date:
September 17, 2026
Entry Point:
Lake One
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
2
Trip Introduction:
When I was a boy, I had a friend whose dad would go to Insula and catch walleyes. I didn't know what "Insula" was back then, but I knew I wanted to catch walleyes there. A long time (55 years?) and 50ish trips to the BWCA and several cancelled Lake One to Insula trips later, my better half and I made it happen.
Day 1 of 6
Thursday, September 17, 2026 We got up early at Lake One Outfitters bunkhouse, ate a huge breakfast, loaded the boat and started out. It was the stunningly beautiful morning. Our plan was to take it real easy. We didn't want to over-do it. We (I) had concerns about our (my) fitness level. After a bit, we picked up a breeze on our tails. Very nice, it was. It was the exact temperature of a cranked up air conditioner; perfect for paddling. When we got to Hudson Lake, where we had planned to head north out of the burn to make our first camp, it was like eleven o'clock. Not even lunch. Although I had meticulously planned breaks and and an old-guy-friendly travel schedule, we decided to go for Insula. Why not? What's the use of a plan if you can't scrap it? We hammered a peanut butter sandwich and some mixed nuts and kept on going. My tiredness/dehydration/low blood sugar began to rear its ugly head just about the time we made it to Insula. I had to relinquish (happily) navigating since none of it made sense to me anymore, and we found a nice site right on the edge of the burn that didn't have much curb appeal, but turned out to be roomy and have a wonderful view of the non-burned shore across the way. We set up shop in a hurry, filtered water, hung the tarp, pitched the tent, got out a box of wine, ate supper and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Nine hours, 6 portages doubled, 63 years old, not in shape, big grin and a fist pump. We enjoyed PERFECT conditions. Breeze on our backs, mid 60's temps, smart and strong wife. Great day.
Day 2 of 6
Friday, September 18, 2026 Slept for like a million hours. Woke up sore and took thrice the recommended dose of a dozen different OTC painkillers and drank a gallon of instant Folgers. Then I got a stomach ache. On this day we did groaning and also took a nap. Fortunately for us, it was cold and windy. My lovely partner built a fire and we took it easy like we were going to yesterday. Caught a couple walleyes, bass, and a northern on slip bobbers from the site. Another perfect day.
Day 3 of 6
Saturday, September 19, 2026 Only the best day ever. Calm, sunny, an autumnal nip in the morning which gave way to calm, sunny, and about 68 degrees. STUNNING. We got fishing gear and shore lunch necessities together and paddled north. We headed up to the northeast part of the lake and were able to put three beautiful walleyes on the stringer right off the bat. We spent the rest of the morning slip bobber fishing from shore in the same area (to keep stretched out and non-cramped) and caught a released maybe a dozen more walleyes and a few bass. Had a killer shore lunch at an empty campsite, took a five minute nap in the afterglow, and fished our way back to camp. Conditions remained perfect. Small supper, glass of wine, and sleepy time. 
Day 4 of 6
Sunday, September 20, 2026 Today was a bass fishing day. Neg rigs and wacky worms accounted for many, many very nice smallmouth. Big shouldered fish with tons of fight. A couple even made their way into the Wesson oil. Delicious. Windier today, and so boat control was more of a challenge, but we had a great day. Steph also jigged up a 19" walleye at "The Rock." Lots of reading, snoozing, snacking the rest of the day. Great day.
Day 5 of 6
Monday, September 21, 2026 Woke up pretty sore in the shoulders, hips, fingers, brains, and ass today. Did the "dozen and a gallon" protocol, and began to loosen up. We got everything packed up this morning for the return to Lake One and civilization (insert joke here). We considered making a break for the entry point, but we didn't have the "day one" energy that got us all the way in. On the way back we headed straight north out of Hudson, into Fire Lake, and down into the part of Lake Three that runs East/West. At least I think it's Lake Three. At any rate, this is a very beautiful and interesting route. Truly, in a trip full of highlights, this was a true highlight. The campsite we had our eye on was open, so we snapped it up. We spent the rest of afternoon jigging up eater-size walleyes and loving our last night in. 
Day 6 of 6
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Got up, groaned, made a fire, drank coffee, and delayed our departure by lolly-gagging. It was very cold; maybe 40? I loved it. Then, we paddled the 3-ish hours back, loaded the trusty '97 4Runner, went to Ely and had DQ, came home to Duluth and had a Moscow Mule in the hot tub. Pretty damn good. BEST TRIP EVER.
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