I have toyed with the idea of a leisurely circumnavigation of Basswood for well over a decade. Ease around the shoreline, see the sights and do a lot of fishing.

I haven't really set my mind to the logistics as far as how the permitting process out of Prarie Portage would go since the lake is split between BWCA and the Quetico. Figured I would toss it out on the board and gather some opinions and suggestions on how that might best be accomplished.

as you already know, entering at fall lake would give you all the miles i would want to paddle and fish in a week or so of canoe travel on basswood shorelines. staying on the u.s. side would make it easy, and the fall lake entry would give you wind protection if you would need it, ie., islands, etc.
i was looking around at quetico permits and i am not sure what you would do on the canadian side of basswood for legal access to that shoreline.
sounds like a nice idea, with me when i look into lakes that large, it's always the wind thing.
i am looking into this idea on knife this coming spring, lot's of shoreline to explore.
enjoy your planning.

Secure a Mudro permit. Take the Range River to Jackfish Bay and began your circumnavigation trending easterly. When your reach Prairie Portage book an Agnes Lake/Basswood Base Camp permit and continue your route along the northern reaches. When you hit the Basswood river cross back into the US and exit via Mudro.

Alternatively you could start at Moose and take a tow to Prairie and do the Canadian portion first. Grab a "entry from Canada" permit at the outfitters. Not really sure of the logistics of camping on a canadian entry permit or whether Homeland Security allows meandering after a border crossing.

Your decked canoe should aid in the wind battles.

Nice notion.

Banksiana: "Secure a Mudro permit. Take the Range River to Jackfish Bay and began your circumnavigation trending easterly. When your reach Prairie Portage book an Agnes Lake/Basswood Base Camp permit and continue your route along the northern reaches. When you hit the Basswood river cross back into the US and exit via Mudro.


Alternatively you could start at Moose and take a tow to Prairie and do the Canadian portion first. Grab a "entry from Canada" permit at the outfitters. Not really sure of the logistics of camping on a canadian entry permit or whether Homeland Security allows meandering after a border crossing.


Your decked canoe should aid in the wind battles.


Nice notion.
"

great idea, yes the agnes lake permit. been a few years since i've been to quetico.

Hmmm.......ideally I would like to enter at Prarie Portage but then do the U.S. side first because I could use live bait. A big flat of crawlers definitely would factor into the American side.

I would be bringing the decked boat and the requisite ton of gear so a short hop, skip and jump portage to get onto the big lake would be important.

Doable or no?

Mudro lake entry? Secure parking? How difficult to gain Basswood from there?
Portage of 1/4 mile or so wouldn't be bad.

mastertangler: "Hmmm.......ideally I would like to enter at Prarie Portage but then do the U.S. side first because I could use live bait. A big flat of crawlers definitely would factor into the American side.


I would be bringing the decked boat and the requisite ton of gear so a short hop, skip and jump portage to get onto the big lake would be important.


Doable or no?


Mudro lake entry? Secure parking? How difficult to gain Basswood from there?
Portage of 1/4 mile or so wouldn't be bad. "

Mastertangler,

Accessing Basswood via Mudro is a very fast and easy method of getting into Basswood quickly. Other than grabbing a tow to Prairie Portage, this is the best way into Basswood in my opinion.



I've used the Mudro entry many times and never had any problems with security. There is ample parking available.

The last time I did this trip it took our group 6 hrs from start to finish; this included 2X~3X portaging on a trip with 5 kids from age 8 and up (3 adults) so we were not moving quickly at all.

The Island site on Basswood that you see on the map is very nice and accommodates a large group nicely. The fishing around this far side of Jackfish Bay is outstanding... lots of nice pike and big smallmouth. We never fish for walleye, but manage to catch a number of these while chasing bass & pike.

There is an easy and flat portage from the parking lot to a small creek that leads into Mudro. The portage from Mudro into Sandpit is a bear.... steep, rocky, and challenging. There is one more easy portage from Sandpit into the river that leads into Jackfish Bay. Other than the Mudro/Sandpit portage, this is any easy route that is very wind sheltered and offers fast access to outstanding fishing.

There is but not inexpensive. Quetico does not have the same leaving the wilderness rule of BWCA. Go to PP, get a Agnes/Base Camp permit for 10 days, head west along US for 5 days and then north to Q and 5 days along Q shore. I dont know if you can carry live bait across the portage but worst case, use the mechanical portage and leave gear there while getting permit. Or go into inlet bay, camp a night in US, paddle back to ranger next morning for permit, and then on your way.

I inquired because I was interested in a border route trip being able to camp on either side. Not thrifty but possible. Enter the Q on entry day, and have a valid permit while in the Q.

One trip that brought us back to North Bay, great weather and such we got back two days early for a PP exit, so decided to paddle Basswood to PP rather than through Burke. Very barren stretch, few sites. We did like Merriam Bay but also seemed not often frequented and not many established sites. (Our final crossing to PP was one of those really bad Bayley Bay days. Made it with head down and digging in hard. )

Thanks for weighing in Bill.........the thought had occurred to me to just pay Quetico camping fees in addition to BWCA while I hit the American side. I was concerned if such a practice would be frowned upon. That is good news to me if true. I wonder if there is a time limit involved? I might be on the American side for a while. I should probably email Quetico to get the skinny.

OK.......stupid question time. I am familiar with Quetico permitting including RBAC but what about BWCA? Is it self permitting or do I go to an office in Ely? No problem entering BWCA from Prarie Portage?

I think I might do some pan fishing for gills and crappie as well as largemouths while on the American side. UL tackle with slip bobbers, road runners and tiny crankbaits might be some fun. Plus it's hard to beat throwing a top toad into pads and a worm into the tree tops for bass..........could be groovy baby!

Why not just break it into two trips? One could follow the other if you want to do it all in the same year. A Minnesota trip and a Quetico trip. That would give you a chance to resupply and sleep in a real bed. It would simplify logistics.

Ohiopikeman: "
There is an easy and flat portage from the parking lot to a small creek that leads into Mudro. The portage from Mudro into Sandpit is a bear.... steep, rocky, and challenging. There is one more easy portage from Sandpit into the river that leads into Jackfish Bay. Other than the Mudro/Sandpit portage, this is any easy route that is very wind sheltered and offers fast access to outstanding fishing."

There is one additional short portage on the Range River around a set of rapids.

Seems silly to me to pay a Quetico camping fee while camping in the BWCA for five or more nights simply to avoid a couple of portages.

If you want to start via Moose Lake do your Quetico journey first and then cross into US at Basswood River with a "Entry from Canada" permit. This is simple and easy- the only sacrifice is giving up live bait; after all your moniker is "Masterangler"- what do you need live bait for?

Banksiana: "

Ohiopikeman: "
There is an easy and flat portage from the parking lot to a small creek that leads into Mudro. The portage from Mudro into Sandpit is a bear.... steep, rocky, and challenging. There is one more easy portage from Sandpit into the river that leads into Jackfish Bay. Other than the Mudro/Sandpit portage, this is any easy route that is very wind sheltered and offers fast access to outstanding fishing."

There is one additional short portage on the Range River around a set of rapids.


Seems silly to me to pay a Quetico camping fee while camping in the BWCA for five or more nights simply to avoid a couple of portages.


If you want to start via Moose Lake do your Quetico journey first and then cross into US at Basswood River with a "Entry from Canada" permit. This is simple and easy- the only sacrifice is giving up live bait; after all your moniker is "Masterangler"- what do you need live bait for?"

Masterangler? Nay, I would never make that boast. Rather, it is Tangler with a "T"......a common miscue.

"Entry from Canada" permit? Sounds ideal although for some odd reason I much prefer doing the American side first. I'm not certain precisely why but it may have to do with not having been extensively in the area only having fished Back Bay a few times. The live bait is also very desirable for me because I just like that style of fishing and sort of miss dropping down big crawlers on tiny hooks with hair thin line, really fun and productive plus its a blast fighting the fish on 4 and 6lb test. North Bay and much of the Quetico side of Basswood I am quite familiar with so going there first seems out of order and somewhat anticlamactic. Besides, if the American side fishing is only marginal I will have the sweet expectation of hitting my familiar hunting grounds.

I suppose I could paddle back to PP and check in for the 2nd leg of the trip but then it wouldn't really be a circumnavigation then would it? I dunno, I will have to chew on it for a while..........Whats the diff I guess, just spend an extra day or two paddling back to PP and then getting back on track and save a few hundred bucks.

A shout out to Ohiopikeman for the tips, I will definitely put your fishing suggestions to use but I am not so sure about staying at the big campsite however. I will be solo and it seems a bit piggish to occupy a large site if there are other options readily available........the island does look rather attractive though ;-)

old_salt: "Why not just break it into two trips? One could follow the other if you want to do it all in the same year. A Minnesota trip and a Quetico trip. That would give you a chance to resupply and sleep in a real bed. It would simplify logistics."

I suppose if I were not so far away I might consider such a trip. Say if I was living in the twin cities where canoe country is not very far a fellow could break it up as you suggest.

But that means more logistics not less. I am hoping for a 2 or preferably 3 week trip on the big lake. I have a decent start getting to know the lake and feel good about catching fish on the Quetico side but I would like to become even more familiar with the lake. Rumor has it there are some very serious sized fish there ;-)

Besides, I have the perfect boat for such a venture. Might as well make use of it.

Wow.........just dug my Basswood map out. I had forgotten just how massive a lake it is especially if you dont use any portages and follow the shoreline around the entire thing. Looks interesting.......looks like I will have an adventure next summer after all......... Just trolling along and seeing the sights. ............Might just take 3 weeks if I take my time.

Largemouth tackle would be a must in some of those sloppy shallow back bays. I bet there is some big girls who dont get much attention way back in the jungle. They just might like them some Top Toad ;-)

Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? Dumb questions I know but I never had to concern myself with such thoughts before. I am not so keen on the Mudro entry. Steep and rocky is not so good with the big decked boat and a marginally compromised leg (although I hope to be fixed by then.....seeing the orthopedic doc tomorrow and will probably schedule something for the spring. Good as new ;-)

I posted a thread in the Quetico forum about doing a hybrid BWCA/Q trip and didn't get many replies. I think it'd be cool to stay a few nights in BWCA, then a few in Q, then back to BWCA, or just stop into the BWCA for a night or two with most in Q... but I literally don't know if that is allowed. Of course I would have an entry permit for the BWCA for the entire trip, plus an entry permit for Q for the entire trip, plus an Ontario fishing license. If anyone has done such a trip, I'd love to know about the requirements/limitations!

This Basswood circumnavigation trip sounds awesome. Huge lake but I'm sure there is a lot to see.

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling. I went thru that concept some time ago and now can easily ignore the fact that I may be paddling over some of the world's greatest fisheries. You can do it!

As far as your question above...Prairie Portage portages are like all portages on the border- you don't need any special permits to use the Canadian side portage. These portages are shared by both countries and no need to check in with Customs. It is not an Entry Point, just another portage is all.

BeaV: "

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling. I went thru that concept some time ago and now can easily ignore the fact that I may be paddling over some of the world's greatest fisheries. You can do it!


As far as your question above...Prairie Portage portages are like all portages on the border- you don't need any special permits to use the Canadian side portage. These portages are shared by both countries and no need to check in with Customs. It is not an Entry Point, just another portage is all."

I wondered that myself. So I can cross into Canada for a portage, like the one around LB, even without a RABC permit?

BeaV: "

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling.

"

Naw........I could never give up the fishing. I went several years back with my canoeing hero Kingfisher (Darrel Brauer) into the Quetico for a couple of weeks. As much as I like him when we stopped for the evening I was off fishing until dark. He probably thought something was off between us as I stayed gone until the skeets drove me off the water. No usual Yackety Schmackety like most trippers do in the evening. I love the guy but a mans gotta have priorities.

It just might take me a while to get all the way around is all.....My biggest concern is will I actually see anything if my eyes are always glued to the depth finder ;-)

Here is the story about Kingfishers trip and myself. The story is more about Darrel than myself and some may find it entertaining.


Down Memory Lane with Kingfisher

I understand the use of portages on either side but am curious if you are allowed to carry live bait on a portage in the Q.

The hypothetical of the Q permit: buy one for 365 days and enter that day, then you can come and go as you want for a year. Or so one of the superintendents told me. And they would thank you for the income, since their budget is based on permit fees.

flynn: "

BeaV: "

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling. I went thru that concept some time ago and now can easily ignore the fact that I may be paddling over some of the world's greatest fisheries. You can do it!



As far as your question above...Prairie Portage portages are like all portages on the border- you don't need any special permits to use the Canadian side portage. These portages are shared by both countries and no need to check in with Customs. It is not an Entry Point, just another portage is all."

I wondered that myself. So I can cross into Canada for a portage, like the one around LB, even without a RABC permit?"

Yes. The Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 allows using portages and water in either country to be used for travel along the border. No fishing or camping or stopping for meals or sight seeing but ok for travel.

billconner: "I understand the use of portages on either side but am curious if you are allowed to carry live bait on a portage in the Q.


The hypothetical of the Q permit: buy one for 365 days and enter that day, then you can come and go as you want for a year. Or so one of the superintendents told me. And they would thank you for the income, since their budget is based on permit fees."

Yes, it's looking more and more like I am going to have to bite the bullet as per camping fees if I want to pull this off the way I prefer. There's no way I'm paddling back to check in.

Now will come what I have come to call "the rationalization period" where I come up with an expensive outdoor option, wether it be new and improved gear or some pricey logistical requirement, and then slowly and inexorably talk myself into it........(I work hard, I deserve it, it's not really that much when compared to something else, you only go around once etc. etc ;-)

I need to emai the Quetico Park office and see what they suggest. You never know what can be worked out. My experiences at Woodland Caribou and having to leave early on 2 separate occasions were quite revealing as to how flexible and reasonable they can be.

Intriguing idea. I think it would be a lot of fun, except for windy days.

Dreaded double post

mastertangler: "

billconner: "I understand the use of portages on either side but am curious if you are allowed to carry live bait on a portage in the Q.



The hypothetical of the Q permit: buy one for 365 days and enter that day, then you can come and go as you want for a year. Or so one of the superintendents told me. And they would thank you for the income, since their budget is based on permit fees."

Yes, it's looking more and more like I am going to have to bite the bullet as per camping fees if I want to pull this off the way I prefer. There's no way I'm paddling back to check in.

Now will come what I have come to call "the rationalization period" where I come up with an expensive outdoor option, wether it be new and improved gear or some pricey logistical requirement, and then slowly and inexorably talk myself into it........(I work hard, I deserve it, it's not really that much when compared to something else, you only go around once etc. etc ;-)


I need to emai the Quetico Park office and see what they suggest. You never know what can be worked out. My experiences at Woodland Caribou and having to leave early on 2 separate occasions were quite revealing as to how flexible and reasonable they can be.


"

MT - Let me know if you need help with the rationalization period. I'll affirm any of your decisions if it helps... ;)

How's the recovery going? I know you started a new fitness and diet regime, is that still getting you the results you were getting at the beginning?

This trip sounds like a blast! I'm curious about the boat you've referred to bringing? Care to share any pictures of it?

billconner: "

flynn: "

BeaV: "

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling. I went thru that concept some time ago and now can easily ignore the fact that I may be paddling over some of the world's greatest fisheries. You can do it!



As far as your question above...Prairie Portage portages are like all portages on the border- you don't need any special permits to use the Canadian side portage. These portages are shared by both countries and no need to check in with Customs. It is not an Entry Point, just another portage is all."

I wondered that myself. So I can cross into Canada for a portage, like the one around LB, even without a RABC permit?"

Yes. The Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 allows using portages and water in either country to be used for travel along the border. No fishing or camping or stopping for meals or sight seeing but ok for travel."

That's awesome! Thanks very much Bill.

flynn: "

BeaV: "

mastertangler: "
Heres another question.......at PP can you put in and venture to the American side without checking in with Canadian Customs? Is the portage landing Canadian waters or is shared? Is PP also considered a BWAC entry? "

I like your thinking MT! The part about doing the circumnavigation of such a lake as Basswood. And, it may be a new way to think for you, but you may just have to accept the fact that you have to give up the fishing part for the sake of traveling. I went thru that concept some time ago and now can easily ignore the fact that I may be paddling over some of the world's greatest fisheries. You can do it!



As far as your question above...Prairie Portage portages are like all portages on the border- you don't need any special permits to use the Canadian side portage. These portages are shared by both countries and no need to check in with Customs. It is not an Entry Point, just another portage is all."

I wondered that myself. So I can cross into Canada for a portage, like the one around LB, even without a RABC permit?"

Yes, as per what Bill said in his answer. Citizens of both countries are allowed to use the border portages without restrictions, as long as you're just "traveling". The treaty that established these rights was before modern restrictions like gun control, bait restrictions, and crimped barb hooks. This was the voyageur's highway and both countries needed to maintain and have access to this vital transportation route. The same holds true of the waters between the portages. You don't have to stay on one side of the line or other. Travel only is the key.

mastertangler: "
Yes, it's looking more and more like I am going to have to bite the bullet as per camping fees if I want to pull this off the way I prefer. There's no way I'm paddling back to check in.

Now will come what I have come to call "the rationalization period" where I come up with an expensive outdoor option, wether it be new and improved gear or some pricey logistical requirement, and then slowly and inexorably talk myself into it........(I work hard, I deserve it, it's not really that much when compared to something else, you only go around once etc. etc ;-)
I need to emai the Quetico Park office and see what they suggest. You never know what can be worked out. My experiences at Woodland Caribou and having to leave early on 2 separate occasions were quite revealing as to how flexible and reasonable they can be.


"

You are overthinking this.

Start from Mudro. With live bait. Sure you have portages to deal with on the first day but from then on this entry accomplishes every part of your desired plan without having to pay extra fees. Half way through your trek you check into Prairie Portage and jump to the Canadian side. You seem intent on making this complicated.

If the portages are preventing from implementing this simple, elegant solution I will volunteer to help you hump your stuff from Mudro to Sandpit and thence onto the Range River. If forcing a day trip on me makes you guilty you can hand me the tow charge when you are ready to start paddling on the Range.

The US shoreline of Basswood is way longer than the Canadian side. It would not be an actual circumnavigation, but you could explore all the Canadian shore on day trips from BWCA campsites. North Bay would be a real long day, but the rest is easy. I am pretty sure you could arrange Quetico day permits for all the days you would be on your return leg.

Tangler,

That's a pretty darn good offer from Banksiana…. and he was absolutely correct about the one extra portage on the Range River, but it is short and flat.

I've read enough of your posts to know that you enjoy tangling with the nice sized northerns. If you fish around the West side of Jackfish Bay it's as good as any place that I've found (at least outside if Alaska's Innoko River..... but that's just not a fair comparison!).

Dave

diet and fitness........came off my Woodland Caribou trip as many of you know as a complete mess. Almost died when a tree fell in the night and only stopped on its malevolent journey by being caught in some other trees. Instead of my wheels (legs) improving and getting stronger as per a usual canoe trip I quickly went downhill and by the time everything was over I was barely able to walk. I tried to rehab my troubled joints with a fitness regime which has restored my mobility to about 75% which is great......I am actually able to walk and work but I have a noticeable limp most days.

The news from the orthopedic guy yesterday was basically what I expected. The hip is bone on bone and more or less shot. It was sort of funny as the nurse practitioner and then the doctor looked at the X rays and exclaimed surprise. Seems like a breach of professional ethics to freely express yourself in front of the patient. Anyway, I have full confidence they will restore me to 100%. Surgery is set for May.

As per Mudro entry..........my watercraft is a Superior Epedition. A decked canoe going about 18ft long and weighing some 70lbs or so. The seat stringer system is ingeniously engineered to accommodate the seat which can be turned upside down and used as the yoke. I have used it before and it works fairly well. I am picturing Beav Portage a similiar boat through many miles of difficult terrain. But I am not Beav, and not even close. Do I want to flip a 70lb 18 ft boat up and trudge up a steep and rocky Portage? Not really.......not right now. I can tip my water Taxi driver $20 and we can each grab and end and hustle it across PP. Or I can drag it across like I did at Isle Royale.

Overthinking? Perhaps........maybe I just do the Quetico side first and ditch the live bait. And get the "entry from Canada" permit. That's probably what I will end up doing.

I appreciate the ability to talk this out with the board. Lots of smart and experienced people. I am glad I am a member.

If you start at Prairie Portage you can pay for the "truck" portage on the American side and have them cart all your gear across then paddle in front of the falls (wait till you get your permit before you fish below them), beach your loaded canoe and secure your permit without having to unload.

I was serious about helping you hump gear into Basswood if you want to keep your crawlers.

Banksiana: "If you start at Prairie Portage you can pay for the "truck" portage on the American side and have them cart all your gear across then paddle in front of the falls (wait till you get your permit before you fish below them), beach your loaded canoe and secure your permit without having to unload.


I was serious about helping you hump gear into Basswood if you want to keep your crawlers.


"

I figured you were serious about helping me...........that is kind and generous of you. Are you near Ely? Maybe we can have a burger and a beverage when I roll into town if you are around.

"Truck" Portage? Is that what they use to transport boats with outboards onto Basswood at PP? I figure I won't need that........I should be mostly mended up by that time and the Portage is fairly short and flat, not so hard especially if I can bribe someone to help with the boat. If not I can drag it across easily enough.

So, other than figuring a time slot its all figured out then........... counter clockwise around the lake starting at PP and doing the Quetico side first. ...............Except for BWCA permitting which I have no recent knowledge of. Do I obtain BWCA permits in Ely at a ranger station? Should I apply far in advance? Can I "self issue"? What about the "Entry from Canada" permit? Do I need to apply in advance to obtain such a permit like I do with a RABC Canadian permit or can I just present myself at the counter at a ranger station and obtain what I need? Does the BWCA have a quota system like the Quetico? Or is it less regulated? Yes, I am fairly clueless when it comes to the BWCA and haven't paddled there in over 20 years or so. Any education put forth will be appreciated.

For bwca get a from canada permit for the day or maybe a day before you expect to enter. Its the only permit you can get well in advance of entry. If you're going to fish in bwca, get that license. And have a passport for coming back to US.

For Q, call 5 months to day you want to enter and reserve an agnes/basecamp permit. Get an RABC - unlikely anyone will ever ask for it but got to have it. And get the outdoors card and ontario fishing license.

Thats all.