Hi guys, my wife and I are planning our first trip to the BWCA! We’re going in large SeaGhost 130 kayaks and going in through Hog Creek to Perent Lake to base camp and fish for eight days the first week of July. I chose Hog Creek/Perent Lake because there is very little or no portaging.

I’m looking for advice on camp sites that are less buggy, menu ideas that are somewhat diabetic friendly and any other tips anyone would like to share.


Thanks everyone!

That should be an interesting trip. Hog Creek is an interesting meandering small stream through boggy territory and the woods that is kind of neat. But by the end of the trip it gets kind of boring and frustrating, but by then you are at Perent Lake! Not sure if you are fisher people or not but Perent is a very good walleye lake. There are a lot of sites including some very nice island sites and it is a very picturesque lake. But it is shallow and prone to wind issues if a breeze kicks up.

Hog creek itself will be fun to kayak down...most of the time. There are stretches of the creek that are not much wider than the length of your kayak paddle that will be a challenge...narrow and twisting along a good portion of the route. But doable. There are parts of the creek where you might be using your kayak paddle as a canoe paddle because it is too narrow to use normally. Shouldn't be a problem though. Because much of it is surrounded by bog there are limited spots to pullover and take a bathroom break and stretch your legs, if you find one take advantage of it. If the weather is nice and you don't get a ton of wind you should have a very nice trip.


Leg stretch break along Hog Creek



The wind kicking up on Perent Lake



There are a few wrong turns you can take, pay attention to the current



Even if it is windy during the day you can probably get out for an early morning or evening paddle on a calm lake







Perent Lake sunset




Have a great trip

Now for the tips...

No portages except from the car...bring lightweight chairs if you can. So nice in camp. Not sure how that would work with a kayak.

Wear your PFD at all times

Tie a painter rope to the front of the yaks and tie it up everytime you stop. Pull it up on shore at night and tie it to something

Hanging food can be a pain, sometimes the layout of the trees doesn't cooperate, most hangs are not truly effective against bears. Buy or rent Bear Vaults and put your food in them. Take them out 30 yards from camp and put them in an inconspicuous place away from a trail. Easier and more secure.

Gravity water filtration is the best invention for BWCA tripping since the canoe. Buy or rent.

Don't plan on cooking over the fire much, bring a backpack stove. Who knows, could be a fire ban. Exception for first nights steaks if that works.

A tarp setup in camp can be a trip saver if the weather is bad. Keeps you and your gear dry in prolonged rain.

Gather down and dead wrist sized or smaller wood back from camp. If supply is limited hop in the canoe and find a likely spot along the shore. A camp saw can be handy, hatchet or axe not necessary.

Be prepared for bugs. Mosquitoes will still be around, black flies will be winding down but biting flies will be making their appearance. Light colored and lightweight clothing, soaked in Permethrin helps too. Bring a headnet for each of you. DEET or Picaridin works pretty well on mosquitoes. Mostly dawn and dusk.

A bobber and a hook or small jig tipped with a leech, thrown from camp can bring you walleyes. Out on the water cranks or jigging with a leech will work well.

Menu wise i am not sure what works for diabetics but many of the dehydrated dinners are very good. Ova Easy is a great egg substitute that will add variety to breakfasts. Tortillas are versatile, lightweight and pack easy. Bring some treats too for that after dinner time around the campfire.

Consider writing a trip report when you return so we can share in the experiences you have. Ask away if you have more questions, we have endless and sometimes even wise answers:)

Tons of first trip advice here if you use the search tool and look back.

As for that area, we went to Kawishiwi Lake (just up the road) in June last year. You lose cell service a few miles after you turn inland from Superior.

Don't bank on getting one of the 5 or so campsites at the Kawishiwi Lake landing for either your night before or after your trip, they were all taken and looked like some fairly permanent setups when we were there.

Thanks for the advice!

shutupanfish: "... I'm looking for advice on camp sites that are less buggy...
Thanks everyone! "

In July, ALL campsite will be buggy. Be prepared. You can look for more open sites with breeze and that will help. Stay up and around the campfire late enough to enjoy bug-free time an hour or so after dark. If you enjoy BWCA, you will find a canoe in your future.

Ps. Welcome to the board!