BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
December 03 2023
Entry Point 36 - Hog Creek
Hog Creek entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Isabella; Tofte, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 30 miles. Access is a 15-rod portage to Hog Creek leading into Perent Lake.
Number of Permits per Day: 4
Elevation: 1664 feet
Latitude: 47.8104
Longitude: -91.0864
Hog Creek - 36
Number of Permits per Day: 4
Elevation: 1664 feet
Latitude: 47.8104
Longitude: -91.0864
Hog Creek - 36
Koma Style
by fishnfreak
Trip Report
Entry Date:
May 17, 2008
Entry Point:
Kawishiwi Lake
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
5
Trip Introduction:
My second trip to the Koma area. First trip this early in May. First trip for Brian and Scott.
Day 1 of 7
Saturday, May 17, 2008 Arrived at Sawbill around 5:30am after an all night drive from Cedar Rapids. Scott decides to sleep awhile in the cab while Brian and I fish for a bit until Sawbill opens up. By 9:00am we have our permits in hand and three canoes in tow heading over to Kawishiwi lake. I have been watching the wind all morning and estimate it to be blowing 20-25 mph from the North. I already suspect that Kawishiwi will be to rough for the two rookies to cut their teeth on. Once we arrive at Kawish my suspicions are proven, white cap city, we are all very tired and decide to wait a day before heading in. We spend the rest of the day fishing, sleeping and getting our gear organized. 
Day 2 of 7
Sunday, May 18, 2008 6:00am on the water and heading across Kawishiwi. Scott is trying the solo while Brian and I paddle tandem. We enter the river section of our route and are pleased to find that both the 25rd and the 5rd potages can be paddled through. Around 8:00am it begins to snow heavily with a strong wind pushing it. It is a good reminder to me, so I don't forget how early in the paddling year it is. The fellows handle the two larger portages out of Kawasachong well and we sit on Polly at 10:00am. 
As we enter Polly I have been watching the wind for awhile and predict that it will be rough going across Polly this morning. I am not dissapointed. We stop at the first camp we see and eat some lunch, which is good because the troops are fading fast. The rookies want to stay right were we are but I am meeting my regular trip partners tommorrow on Koma and will have no way to let them know of any change of plans. After my best Knute Rockne speech we decide to give it one more try. I take the solo and Scott and Brian paddle tandem. We keep this arrangement the rest of the trip. 
We make it across Polly with relatively small issue but I have noticed that the rooks are fading fast. With only three short portages into Koma I begin to really push hard and fast to get going 
When I reach Koma I am releived to find the penisula camp open, the fellows show up a short time later and are greatful to be done for the day. Brian and Scott relax with jug of Forty Creek while we all watch a perfect moonrise. Jeff and Kelly will arrive tommorrow.
As we enter Polly I have been watching the wind for awhile and predict that it will be rough going across Polly this morning. I am not dissapointed. We stop at the first camp we see and eat some lunch, which is good because the troops are fading fast. The rookies want to stay right were we are but I am meeting my regular trip partners tommorrow on Koma and will have no way to let them know of any change of plans. After my best Knute Rockne speech we decide to give it one more try. I take the solo and Scott and Brian paddle tandem. We keep this arrangement the rest of the trip. We make it across Polly with relatively small issue but I have noticed that the rooks are fading fast. With only three short portages into Koma I begin to really push hard and fast to get going When I reach Koma I am releived to find the penisula camp open, the fellows show up a short time later and are greatful to be done for the day. Brian and Scott relax with jug of Forty Creek while we all watch a perfect moonrise. Jeff and Kelly will arrive tommorrow.
Day 3 of 7
Monday, May 19, 2008 We all sleep in late and for the last two days we have noticed a Forest Service plane flying around in our area. My experience with this is that something bad has happened out there to someone. I say a silent prayer that it works out well for the people involved. We all begin to finish putting camp together before Jeff and Kelly arrive. 
Around noon Brian and I decide to fish the rapids entering Koma 
We should be able to see Jeff and Kelly from here. Just like clockwork at 1:00pm Jeff and Kelly arrive. We give them the proper escort to camp and do the introductions. Jeff has the scoop regarding the plane, it appears they are looking for a missing soloist which explains why they seemed so interested in me yesterday while I paddled solo. We decide to paddle over to Malberg and fish below the rapids. 
Kelly hooks a large,large northern and gets it to the canoe but Jeff fails to get it into the net. Fish gets away and the heavy trash talking begins. I catch a fair smallie 
The fish are all ice cold to the touch but we are surprised at the number of smallies that we are catching but no walleye yet. We paddle back and have jambalaya and gumbo for dinner.
Around noon Brian and I decide to fish the rapids entering Koma We should be able to see Jeff and Kelly from here. Just like clockwork at 1:00pm Jeff and Kelly arrive. We give them the proper escort to camp and do the introductions. Jeff has the scoop regarding the plane, it appears they are looking for a missing soloist which explains why they seemed so interested in me yesterday while I paddled solo. We decide to paddle over to Malberg and fish below the rapids. Kelly hooks a large,large northern and gets it to the canoe but Jeff fails to get it into the net. Fish gets away and the heavy trash talking begins. I catch a fair smallie The fish are all ice cold to the touch but we are surprised at the number of smallies that we are catching but no walleye yet. We paddle back and have jambalaya and gumbo for dinner.
Day 4 of 7
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 We awake this morning to find the forest service in our camp, this is a first for me, they check our permit and ask us to keep a lookout for this missing person. We decide to fish Koma hard today for walleye and after some time we realize that its not going to happen. Also beggining to see many mayflies hatching. Tonight is steak night with wine. I cook steak baked potatoes and corn on the fire grate and it is wonderful. We drink four bottles of red wine wine and dip into the Moonshine/w Hot AppleCider. By the end of the night we are singing karaoke, I normally scoff at this behavior but we are the only ones camped on Koma, so what the heck! 
Day 5 of 7
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Scott,Brian and I have to leave out or atleast make it across Polly today in order to make it back Thursday night. Jeff and Kelly will stay on Koma for another day and try and save the fishing end of the trip. We have discussed making the trip up to Kivaniva for walleye. We say our goodbyes and We head out and they head to Kiva. I am anxious to see how the SPOT locator beacon has been working since we left. Our trip back across Polly is much better with the wind to our backs 
I can see the looks on the rooks faces that they are ready to call it done so we decide to go ahead and come all the way out. The trip out is very relaxing and I finally see my first moose in the BW on Kawasachong lake. At 5:00pm we are back at the Kawishiwi lake campground. Jeff and Kelly carry on and do find the walleyes on Kivaniva.
I can see the looks on the rooks faces that they are ready to call it done so we decide to go ahead and come all the way out. The trip out is very relaxing and I finally see my first moose in the BW on Kawasachong lake. At 5:00pm we are back at the Kawishiwi lake campground. Jeff and Kelly carry on and do find the walleyes on Kivaniva.
Day 6 of 7
Thursday, May 22, 2008 Jeff and Kelly continue their pursuit on walleye and move down to Polly. Kelly has a 6:00pm flight tommorrow, so they need to be closer to the EP. This move turns out be right on, they use the same sight that I gave my Knute Rockne speeech and promptly catch walleye just out in front of it. They finally have a walleye dinner finish off Rum and no doubt make fun of me for not getting a walleye all week.
Day 7 of 7
Friday, May 23, 2008 12:00 noon Jeff and Kelly are out of the BW. Trip was a good one. I proved to myself that I am ready for a solo trip( to be done in Sept.)Got to hang out with the boys for a week. Scott and Brian got a BW intro, hopefully they will come back again. Tried out lots of new gear( the Spot locator thing works very well)See ya in September!!!