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04/27/2017 06:11PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
We usually go up the week before Memorial Day and the last several years the bugs have been virtually non existent - no black flies, no ticks and very few mosquitoes. This year we have to go the week after Memorial Day - and Memorial Day is late. I know there are no for sure answers but is there any logic to thinking(hoping) that this late snow/ice the last few days and into next week will push the bug season back a bit? Or do you think it is pretty much a crapshoot, more dependent on the weather of the next few weeks? Not a deal breaker either way, just curious.

We will be heading in Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and hoping for some kind of site available that night. Probably have our pick of sites the next day but wanted to get in as soon as possible. I would like to do some serious walleye fishing and maybe eat fish for dinner a few times unlike our normal one meal per trip. Any tips for a general area/method to try? I tend towards jigging and vertical jigging and slip bobbering from camp but am open to anything that works.

I have read things on both sides of this question - is there any or a decent population of smallies in Perent? Sure would be fun to switch to them after we have our dinner if they are there. Many have said no but a few have said they have caught them there. Any first person for sure knowledge?

Thoughts on likely water level that weekend? Any chance we will be able to glide right over most of the beaver dams?

I understand steps down from the parking lot to the river. but have also heard another portage within 10 minutes of the landing. Is that so and is that the only portage?

Thanks for any info, looking forward to fishing Perent and exploring the Perent River.

lindy
 
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04/27/2017 07:21PM  
I've been down Hog Creek a couple of times. Saw Moose on both trips and yes I recall there being some short portages or shallow rocky spots. One of the trips I had a brand new canoe and scratched the hell out of it trying to paddle through the shallow areas. Can't help you on the fishing questions
04/27/2017 09:24PM  
None yet and sure hope they don't make it up from Gabro lake downstream. As far as I know they are not in Isabella lake yet either. Its a matter of time unfornately(sp).
They have populated most lakes in the BWCA and have affected native populations at times.
04/28/2017 05:31AM  
That was my oldest ducklings first trip at age 5. Good walleye fishing for eater size walleye. No smallies. Some great island campsites. It takes a lot longer than expecting to get down the creek as it is very twisty and narrow. Pay attention to the very light current so you don't take a wrong turn. We were there at the end of July when we went and water levels were not a problem. Yes, you carry down to the landing from the parking lot and then after about 10 minutes there is a short portage around some rapids. There were 2 beaver damns when we went. 1 we paddled through an opening and the other one we had to lift over.
I will email you some fishing info when I get a chance. If you haven't heard from me in a few days remind me ;) I'm doing a solo to Mudro coming up soon before fishing opener and may ask you for some info.
04/28/2017 10:17AM  
Last time I was in there was about 8 years ago in the first week of June, so close to when you will go. We caught a lot of eater sized walleyes in the large shallow bay in the NE part of the lake. It is only about 7 feet deep and there are a couple of islands and a small creek mouth that we drifted with jigs or slip bobbers and leeches to get into fast action for walleyes and some jumbo perch. There is also a dropoff at the mouth of that bay which extends from the point on the north end of the lake to the islands in the mouth of the bay. I can't remember the exact depths but I think it goes pretty fast from around 7 feet to 20+. We trolled in a zig zag pattern from north to south and my buddy got spooled by something huge. I'm assuming it was a monster northern. We also did well jigging between some of the small rock formation islands in the southern part of the lake. When the wind is right you can just drift through the narrow channels between them and often hook up with doubles.
04/28/2017 10:58AM  
wow, good info....thanks jamotrade
MikeinMpls
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04/28/2017 12:33PM  
I've paddled this creek several times. Bugs are a crapshoot, but I would count on a hatch of blackflies while you're there. I don't believe the lateness of winter's exit this year is sufficient to prevent the blackflies, though I certainly am not a bug expert. We always go the week before Memorial Day and have missed them only once as far as I remember.

As for the creek.... as said above, very winding. Current will likely be stronger and will easily push you to a far bank when you encounter a sharp bend. The portage can't be avoided, but it's nothing. There usually are beaver dams, or dams in the late construction phase, but you may be able to blow through them if the water is high(er). Also, there are a lot of deadfalls into the water to navigate.

Paddling upstream is interesting, too.

Hope this helps.

Mike
04/28/2017 12:41PM  
Were really much ahead of normal,usually many of the BWCA lakes have ice still. Yes around June 1 is good black fly time.
zachmiller
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04/28/2017 01:08PM  
quote ducks: "That was my oldest ducklings first trip at age 5. Good walleye fishing for eater size walleye. No smallies. Some great island campsites. It takes a lot longer than expecting to get down the creek as it is very twisty and narrow. Pay attention to the very light current so you don't take a wrong turn. We were there at the end of July when we went and water levels were not a problem. Yes, you carry down to the landing from the parking lot and then after about 10 minutes there is a short portage around some rapids. There were 2 beaver damns when we went. 1 we paddled through an opening and the other one we had to lift over.
I will email you some fishing info when I get a chance. If you haven't heard from me in a few days remind me ;) I'm doing a solo to Mudro coming up soon before fishing opener and may ask you for some info."


I'd love some fishing intel on hog creek/perent too. (please and thank you?!)

I've done one mudro trip - up to fourtown and then NW through the chain of lakes eventually up to Bullet Lake before we finally turned around. Didn't scope out many campsites, but really enjoyed fairy lake where we camped in the NW corner. It was mid october so fishing was pretty sketchy and any luck we had was on Gun Lake (also a gorgeous lake). None of the portages we were on we difficult except the 140ish rod portage...not tough, just some up and downs.

Pic is from the campsite on Fairy. Have fun!

RLJ
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04/28/2017 01:58PM  
Couple pics on Hog Creek/Perent Lake. Went last year with the grand kids. Had a great time swimming (August), fishing not so much. Neat rock formations on the East side of the northern islands.
zachmiller
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04/28/2017 02:07PM  
"Which campsite is that?" he says as he starts to lick his chops. Also, that's quite the outdoor ceiling contraption you've got there.
04/28/2017 07:41PM  
quote zachmiller: ""Which campsite is that?" he says as he starts to lick his chops. Also, that's quite the outdoor ceiling contraption you've got there."

Looks like it might be the one we stayed at. Very nice campsite. On the eastern side of the lake one of the islands has 2 campsites on it. If this is in fact the one we stayed at it's the campsite that's on the southwestern part of that island. The other campsite on that island (northeastern side) is also very nice. We were going to camp on the northeastern one until we smelt and then found a huge pile of fish remains back by the latrine.
RLJ
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04/29/2017 09:04AM  
Ducks is correct, I think it is campsite #998. It's kind of on a point and has access from both sides.
zachmiller
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05/01/2017 04:07PM  
quote RLJ: "Ducks is correct, I think it is campsite #998. It's kind of on a point and has access from both sides."


Awesome. Thank you. We've got a bigger group coming and a good number of us will hammock - that site looks perfect.
05/02/2017 09:35AM  
The site up in the northeast bay is pretty spacious for a larger group. Also, it is close to good walleye fishing in June and semi sheltered from the main lake if it gets windy. If it is blowing on your exit day, you can sneak behind the islands to the mouth of Hog Creek and get out of there when others may not be able to.
TuscaroraBorealis
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05/02/2017 07:52PM  


It's been at least 10 years (maybe closer to 15?)....but, we were able to line our canoe down the 'rapids'. Although, i believe this was in the spring - high(er) water.

Was productive for eater sized walleyes.
05/02/2017 08:16PM  
We have more time than we need for this trip. My guess is it will be filled with fishing, photography, daytrips and leisurely mornings with a cup of coffee in hand enjoying the serenity. I could see us leaving a day early after we run out of daytrip options, have caught all the walleye we care to, and take pictures of virtually every nook and cranny of the lake. If so, we'll find a spot in the area to throw up the tents for one more night in the northwoods and enjoy it just fine.

Thanks all for the insight and advice, can't wait.
05/04/2017 09:45AM  
The north part of the lake has a cool bunch of rock formations that look like a solid face, but if you explore a bit, you can find a small entry to a little bay behind them. We thought that was pretty cool.
 
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