We are looking to do a 5 day trip. As stated above my son's first trip and I haven't done a canoe trip since 96'. He is graduating 8th grade this summer. I'm looking for advice on planning. We want to fish, and maybe do a few portages. I want to go out of Ely. I want to stay away from Basswood and larger lakes. I was thinking about going through Muduro to Fourtown and fish the surrounding areas. Not alot of canoe experience. Thx for the advice.

Good Choice. Lake One would be a good option, as well as Little Gabbro. Do the loop out of Bald Eagle through Clearwater.

I entered Moose and paddled the length of Basswood with my son on his first trip around 7th or 8th grade. Maybe i was lucky because mostly glass like the entire length.

Not a bad first option, lots of people take that entry so if you have a date in mind reserve your spot soon after they're available in January.

You could head to Horse and stay there a while. Day trip up to the waterfalls and back would be cool.

Mudro's a good choice, but you might enjoy getting to Horse more than Fourtown. There are more portages to Horse, but they're all pretty easy going in, and just one has some climb going out. The portages to Fourtown are nasty little buggers IMO - boulder fields and unpleasant landings. Horse and Fourtown are pretty similar lakes so I'd take the slightly longer path and go to Horse. That also has the benefit that if you want to take a day trip up the Horse River to see Basswood Falls, you'll be closer and have an easier time doing so. Being slightly farther from the entry, Horse may also be a *little* less busy, although really both lakes are quite busy.

My daughter and I were also thinking about doing Mudro to Horse. I see that EP 23 has some private parking that requires less of a portage. Does anyone know how this works? Does it need to be prearranged or is it self pay on arrival?

You must have read old and outdated information. The Chainsaw Sisters have been gone for over 10 years. There is no private parking, it is all public now. Portage length will depend on water levels.