I'm trying to be conservative about how I use my vacation days this year. I've already used up a week to help my wife during/after surgery, so I have my eyes on Memorial Day weekend to sneak in a few days.

While we wait for the whole permit situation to get straightened out (whole other can of worms)....how hard has it been in the past to get permits on these big weekends? I'm hoping to just do a quick "in and out" trip....still trying to decide which entry point I want to get into. First pick would be Moose River North, but my backups are N. Kawishiwi River, Lake One, and if I absolutely had to....Fall Lake (trying to avoid bigger water/motor boaters). I'd be looking to head in on Friday morning.

Usually I try to pick an odd week and start on a Wednesday or Thursday, but this year I'm pretty limited on available paid vacation days so I have to improvise. Oh, the joys of changing jobs (thankfully for the better) and starting over on building vacation time, haha.

I have always been able to get a holiday weekend permit by doing my reservation early. Paddle permits are easier than motor. Good luck!

Thanks.........I'll be ready the moment they go live at my desk. Generally how's the weather at this time? I've been up in July, August, and September....but never at the end of May. How are the flies and mosquitoes generally?

The bugs are rarely an issue then. Weather can be good or not so good. Be prepared for some wind and possibly cold but it may be 75 too.

Black flies can be a problem.....depends on the year. I've had gorgeous days, cold rain days.....be prepared for major swings.

We went in on Brule 4 years ago over Memorial Day weekend, and while the weather and bugs were optimal during the day. We did experience temps in the 20s at night. Stating the obvious, keep an eye on the weather and be prepared.

we've had trips on MD weekend that were way too hot.

Other trips that started way too cold, and then got way too hot, only to get way too cold again.

No bugs, epic bugs. The only thing we haven't encountered is swarms of yellow jackets that early.

No rain, epic rain. Same with wind.

We don't fish, but MD seems to be uniformly great every year, if fishing is your thing.

Every.Single.Trip around MD has been crowded. My advice is to get an early start, and push HARD the first day to get away from EP lakes. This get's challenging when you have to pack for a 40 degree temperature variance, but it's all part of the fun.

I've had good weather many Memorial Day weekends. But obviously there's no guarantee. I entered Snowbank a couple of years ago and didn't have a problem getting a permit or finding a campsite on that trip. Last year I bike packed up there and all of the FS campground I encountered where empty.

Take a head net and some warm clothes.

I'm kinda looking at it like a "September Trip". I've woken up to frost on our tent in August in the BW, wearing long underwear in July. Back in the 80's another Boy Scout Troop that our troop did a lot of outings with went up the first week in June and woke up one morning to snow on the ground! This is really the earliest I've ever gone up there....usually I aim for late summer-September trips. Pack the bug dope, the knee boots and the rain gear...got it, haha.

QueticoMike: "Take a head net and some warm clothes."

This. We packed our lake trout in snow that lingered under trees one Memorial Day weekend. I’ve also seen three days of cold rain.

Last year I was up there the week before memorial day and it was 90 degrees and not a cloud in the sky...

I have gone twice the week leading up to MD weekend and both times the weather has been good. Mid 50s to upper 60s during the day, low 30s and into the upper twenties at night. I would suggest (no science involved) that this might be about average. We had a lot of sun and very few bugs. Water is dang cold though...one trip we went long enough where I just had to jump in the water...but it wasn't a long stay. Guess anything is possible but I think it is a good time to go.

I tend to be more of a "shoulder season" camper. My dad and I did the bulk of our trips during June, July, August. I don't mind camping in hot weather, but I prefer cold nights, few/no bugs, and even better if I can find a way to get away from the busier routes. I came up in September a couple years ago and loved it. This year....depending on how things go I might be able two squeeze in TWO trips if I stick to Memorial Day/Labor Day weekends.

So, get your permit, make your plans and watch the weather! If it is predicted to be horrible, camp elsewhere.