BWCA Sylvania Trip Report Boundary Waters Group Forum: Other Canoe Camping Locations
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WIMike
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05/24/2018 04:07PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Just returned from a 5-day solo to Coyote campsite on West Bear Lake. It was my first ever canoe trip and was a great experience thanks to great weather, few mosquitos and some good fishing.

Coyote is a nice site off the beaten path. Fishing for LM bass was excellent for both numbers and size as I caught a 21" and a very fat 20" my first evening. Rapalas cast very shallow was productive as was topwater baits in the low light hours.

Day 2
I portaged to East Bear where I again caught some nice LM bass before making the portage to Mountain where the SM bass were slow but steady. I was there during the midday hours so I suspect this lake would have good dawn/dusk smallie action. Back to East Bear for a few more LM and eventully back to West Bear for the evening topwater bite, this time with a fly rod. West Bear would be an excellent lake for anyone looking for fast action on panfish, they're everywhere and they are hungry.

Day 3
Morning topwater action on West Bear and then hiked out to meet my wife who was hiking in from the east trailhead. We lounged around camp, ate lunch and then I hiked back out with her when she left. I then headed to High Lake where I experienced an incredible evening smallie bite. The fish were active as wacky worms nailed fish after fish. Switching to a Pop-R, I had smallies making wakes across the surface to attack the bait with 2 and sometimes 3 fish fighting to get to the bait first. I also caught them on a fly rod popper. A very memorable night that made it hard to leave before dark but I still had 2 portages to get back to camp.

Day 4
Travel back to High for more SM action then over to Crooked where the midday action was slow so I went back to camp to catch a nap before finishing up the day with more LM fishing on West Bear.

Day 5
Early start to head home with a delay on High for more fishing. I love fishing SM but the weather forced my departure as some thunder rumbled. I finished my trip under moderate rain, but could have been packed and on my drive home if I hadn't fished.

All in all, a great trip with much learned that will benefit me on future trips.


 
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05/24/2018 04:47PM  
Thanks for the report! Aren't those fire grates interesting?
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
05/25/2018 09:28AM  
First overnight canoe camping trip I ever took with my (now) wife and we stayed at the same Coyote campsite for two nights, before moving on to the Chipmunk campsite on Crooked. Great fun and a great experience in Sylvania. Sort of BW Lite, but we really enjoyed ourselves... and it's only four hours from home.
 
WIMike
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05/25/2018 10:42AM  
mirth: "Thanks for the report! Aren't those fire grates interesting? "


Yes they are. My wife wondered who had to lug them in there.
 
WIMike
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05/25/2018 10:43AM  
Jackfish: "First overnight canoe camping trip I ever took with my (now) wife and we stayed at the same Coyote campsite for two nights, before moving onto Chipmunk campsite on Crooked. Great fun and a great experience in Sylvania. Sort of BW Lite but we really enjoyed ourselves... and it's only four hours from home. "


Less than 3 hours for me so I will be a frequent visitor. Next trip will be on Loon or High. Probably Loon as I like to explore new areas.
 
05/25/2018 08:10PM  
Don't know if you know it or not, but there's a nice shower house on the north end of Clark Lake. Great spot to clean up before heading home.
 
05/26/2018 08:25PM  
awbrown: "Don't know if you know it or not, but there's a nice shower house on the north end of Clark Lake. Great spot to clean up before heading home."


Just keep in mind the the day use bldg at the north end of Clark Lake is open from May 15 through September 30, the same time that Sylvania is staffed and collects fees. I prefer trips in the Spring and Fall and have been enjoying the area since the mid 1970's.
 
vandolomeiu
member (46)member
  
05/28/2018 05:05PM  
"The fish were active as wacky worms nailed fish after fish."

Did you have trouble finding unscented/unsalted worms to wacky rig?
 
WIMike
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06/04/2018 02:17PM  
vandolomeiu: " "The fish were active as wacky worms nailed fish after fish."


Did you have trouble finding unscented/unsalted worms to wacky rig?"


Had to read a few labels and gave them the sniff test to be sure. I had to leave my Berkeley swimbaits, my favorites, at home. I don’t remember what brand wacky worms I used but they were unscented/unsalted.
 
WIMike
distinguished member (248)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/04/2018 02:17PM  
vandolomeiu: " "The fish were active as wacky worms nailed fish after fish."


Did you have trouble finding unscented/unsalted worms to wacky rig?"


Had to read a few labels and gave them the sniff test to be sure. I had to leave my Berkeley swimbaits, my favorites, at home. I don’t remember what brand wacky worms I used but they were unscented/unsalted.
 
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