I'm planning a winter trip putting in at Moose and camping on Wind with day trips to Basswood.

Does anyone have any experience with Wind and have any advice. We're hoping to fish for walleyes or northern on Wind and Basswood, any recommendations on those lakes?

Do any sled dogs go through there? Curious if there will be a well beaten path or if we'll be busting our own.

Thanks

I don't believe sled dogs use that route but I could be wrong. If your goal is basswood the easier route may the 4 mile portage. Sled dogs run this route regularly and it is a fairly flat and usually well packed trail. Hills in the winter suck and I would think the hill on the way into Wind lake would be a pain, however I have not taken this route so someone may be able to provide better information on it.

If you haven't already, search the winter camping and activities forum for wind lake. I remember reading a few winter trip reports that may help, too.

My first two trips winter camping were to Wind Lake. We stayed on the southern campsite on the big island (S shaped). Mainly fished the entire time, and didn't travel to another Lake.

From what I remember, it was easy going from Moose Lake to Wind Lake as there was a path already trampled by others for the most part. Once we broke off the main trail to our campsite it took some effort breaking new trail but we survived. The portage between Moose Lake and Wind Lake is longish (700+ rods) and involves a steep uphill/downhill closer to Moose Lake. Otherwise it's not bad.

While camping there were a few groups that we'd see hiking to other places from our campsite, but no one stayed close to us.

As for fishing, there were 8 of us in the group all using tip ups and we fished off the campsite in between the island and the eastern shore of the channel and caught plenty of Northerns. No walleye.

If you have any other questions, I may be able to help

Is there a different portage used for winter? The only portage I know of is closer to 150 rods

Kawishiwashy: "If you haven't already, search the winter camping and activities forum for wind lake. I remember reading a few winter trip reports that may help, too."

Thanks, found a couple trip reports with some good information. Should be a good time. Taking a couple new guys on our winter trip and will hopefully be hot tenting it for the first time.

Yes sorry, 150ish rods. I'm thinking of something totally different.

Be cautious on the creek before the portage from Wind Lake to Wind Bay- often troubled by thin ice. I've had some difficulties there during day ski trips.

Wind lake lives up to its name very often. Plan accordingly!