I pick a new EP every year, and have a pretty good list under by belt so far. I am looking for suggestions in the ELY area for this year's EP. Here is a list of EPs I have already done:

EP 1
EP 9
EP 14
EP 16
EP 23
EP 30
EP 31

We typically go out for about 6-8 nights, and cover about 30 miles. We don't mind a challenge, but we also plan like to spend more than one night at good sites, and explore and fish. 30 miles in a week is probably considered a cake walk, but I enjoy the leisurely attitude. (You can check out my trip reports)

From my research, Snowbank, Isabella, and Crab seem to be the next obvious choices. I am also curious, what is the easiest route to Knife Lake? Again, I'm just looking at the Ely side. Any suggestions are very appreciated!

Any suggestions on a loop route off of Snowbank?

Last year my buddies and I entered at EP 14, did a big loop and exited at EP 16, and it was fantastic! My favorite BW trip so far. I see you have done 16 but not 14, so I would recommend looking at 14 to see if you are interested.

We camped on Slim Lake, Beartrack Lake, Finger Lake, Ge-Be-On-Equat (sp? lol) and finally Oyster Lake for 3 nights where we caught a ridiculous amount of fish. Nobody talks about how good the smallmouth fishing is on Oyster but we absolutely killed the smallies there. Total of 7 nights. We had a couple big travel days but if you plan this route out smarter than we did, it can be nice and leisurely.

Easiest way to Knife is probably Moose Lake EP (25). I’m heading that way in June for about the same amount of time as you. However, I would second the Little Indian Sioux entry point. Lots of possibilities, rivers, big water and small water, pictos and great fishing make that EP my favorite of all the EP’s I’ve done. You can do a nice, 40 mile lollipop loop and it’s great fishing the whole way. I did it in July and went three straight days without seeing another group.

Tony

ManAndDog: "Last year my buddies and I entered at EP 14, did a big loop and exited at EP 16, and it was fantastic! My favorite BW trip so far. I see you have done 16 but not 14, so I would recommend looking at 14 to see if you are interested.


We camped on Slim Lake, Beartrack Lake, Finger Lake, Ge-Be-On-Equat (sp? lol) and finally Oyster Lake for 3 nights where we caught a ridiculous amount of fish. Nobody talks about how good the smallmouth fishing is on Oyster but we absolutely killed the smallies there. Total of 7 nights. We had a couple big travel days but if you plan this route out smarter than we did, it can be nice and leisurely. "

Oops! I forgot to include EP 14! (edited).

We did a similar route and ended at EP16. I was up on Gebe during a Lac La Croix loop as well. One of my favorite lakes! The SM bass were crazy on Gebe, but I have been on Oyster twice and didn't have much luck.

You're right on with your next ideas. Snowbank into Ima - Thomas area would be cool.

cyclones30: "You're right on with your next ideas. Snowbank into Ima - Thomas area would be cool. "

Thanks for the insight cyclones. How's da fishin up on Ima and Thomas?

Any specific reason to suggest this route?

Curious why you are specific about Ely? If it is for driving reasons and you don't want to go all the way up to Grand Marais, have you ever considered the Sawbill Trail? I notice that none of your trips have been in that area. Think it might even be closer than Ely if you are coming from the south.

With that much time you could do an epic route from EP 37 up to Malberg, Adams, Boulder, over to Fraser and Thomas, down to Alice or Insula and over to Alice, up River Lake back to Malberg and back down to Kawishiwi Lake. Good fishing abounds, some very nice campsites including many sand beach sites if that is your thing, pictos(reportedly haunted) on Fishdance Lake, some fairly remote country up on the north end and through some absolutely classic lakes and scenery. Not sure of the mileage but it seems doable with 7 or 8 days and should allow for a couple layover nights.

For travel time reference, me and a buddy, both older and in marginal shape made it to Malberg on our first day on an 85 degree humid day a couple years ago. Don't know if it is of any interest, it would be a dream trip of sorts for me, don't know if I will do that ambitious of a trip anymore so I'm kind of hoping to live vicariously through you and your group:)

Sorry, I checked and Sawbill is not closer than Ely but not much further. Still almost an hour closer than Gunflint.

I loved Knife. We did a tow on Moose which made things much easier to get to Knife in a day. On the way home we when to Vera (that portage is some difficult work) then to Ensign and back out Moose. Lots of options there but a week trip is for sure nice if planning on going to Knife.

lindylair: "With that much time you could do an epic route from EP 37 up to Malberg, Adams, Boulder, over to Fraser and Thomas, down to Alice or Insula and over to Alice, up River Lake back to Malberg and back down to Kawishiwi Lake. "

Cool suggestion! The reason I stick to the Ely area is that my family cabin is there, so it's home-base. But EP37 is only a 2 hour drive, that's not too bad.

I have never looked at this area, but I love the look of the route from EP 37 to Alice, with all of those small lakes and rivers.

Is there a loop? It doesn't look like it. It's about 13 miles from the EP to Alice, so that is about as far as I would go before heading back.

deadriver: "

lindylair: "With that much time you could do an epic route from EP 37 up to Malberg, Adams, Boulder, over to Fraser and Thomas, down to Alice or Insula and over to Alice, up River Lake back to Malberg and back down to Kawishiwi Lake. "

Cool suggestion! The reason I stick to the Ely area is that my family cabin is there, so it's home-base. But EP37 is only a 2 hour drive, that's not too bad.

I have never looked at this area, but I love the look of the route from EP 37 to Alice, with all of those small lakes and rivers.

Is there a loop? It doesn't look like it. It's about 13 miles from the EP to Alice, so that is about as far as I would go before heading back. "

Looking at this loop now: EP 37 > Malberg > Beaver > Adams > Makwa > Malberg > EP37. That's about 36 miles.

EP 37 is a very cool area. My wife and I went there last year for the first time. Made it to Malberg by lunch, mainly base-camped there and day tripped to Makwa one day for Lakers and up Louse River another day and other random places. You paddle through some burn area between Square and Polly which is interesting in its own way.

You could also have a really awesome point to point trip if you could get a ride to 37 and have your vehicle waiting for you at Lake One or Snowbank for example. Similar distance to you going 37 up past Malberg and back down to 37.

cyclones30: "EP 37 is a very cool area. My wife and I went there last year for the first time. Made it to Malberg by lunch, mainly base-camped there and day tripped to Makwa one day for Lakers and up Louse River another day and other random places. You paddle through some burn area between Square and Polly which is interesting in its own way. "

Sounds great! Any luck with the lakers?