Coming up for my first BWCA trip with my son in a little over a week. We are putting in on Moose Lake on Friday, and I am planning on heading over to Wind lake and setting up a Base Camp there. From there we can fish Wind, go to Basswood and even around to Indiana if we feel ambitious.

Should I be concerned that the campsites on Wind will be full? Also how has the fishing been on Wind this summer. Excited for my first trip.

rstewartmn: "Should I be concerned that the campsites on Wind will be full? "

In a word... yup. Make sure you're through the portage and onto Wind actively looking for a spot as early as you can be (i.e. morning). The good news is that Wind Lake, being so close to Moose, is often times a one-night layover lake. Folks should be leaving and opening up campsites.

How old is your son? Youngster, like 5 or 6 years old... or teenager or older? If teenager or older, why not pass through Wind and head to Basswood?

Yes, we are planning to be on the water by 8 at the Moose Lake launch. So you're saying we may have to paddle around and wait for a campsite to clear out. That should not be a problem.

My son is a teenager. Going on to Basswood may be an option, we will see how the first portage (Moose to Wind) goes. Also trying to stay away from the motor traffic as much as possible.

Overall, it's not a horrible portage. It's fairly well traveled so is in decent shape. Wind is a nice lake, but I think Basswood would be a good trip. You also get some more campsite options on one of the better fishing lakes in the BWCA. Motor traffic is not too much of an issue for the most part. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I've dealt with rude boaters out there.

Enjoy your trip!

Our family has done the moose to Wind several times. Easy quick paddle across moose. The moose side of the portage is steep for the first 40 yards or so then its a slow easy walk the rest of the way to wind. I agree the campsites are hit and miss like the rest of the moose lake area with the traffic. The island site is very nice if your lucky enough to get it. Basswood is big water any even modest wind can keep you from going very far.