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MattM
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11/18/2019 12:46PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Has anyone paddled the Bois Brule in mid or late November? Any information will be appreciated. The latest river flow is around 158 cfs, which seems low but runnable.

I'm thinking about doing a quick winter paddle this weekend. Putting in at Stone's Bridge Landing and taking out at Highway 2 Landing.

I've never paddled the Bois Brule, but have cold water paddling experience and will be properly outfitted for the conditions.
 
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h20
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11/18/2019 04:43PM  
There might be some shelf ice along the edges I'd call the Brule ranger station.
11/18/2019 06:51PM  
It's been many years since we paddled the Bois Brule but I remember certain stretches to be quite the rock garden. Be safe, it's cold.
11/19/2019 12:09PM  
It will be scratchy at this level, use a beater canoe. Also be prepared for lots of rocks and the potential of having to get out of the canoe. The section below highway 2 is faster so less potential ice. Not sure where you are but near Minneapolis the Kinnickinnic River in river falls is almost always canoeable. Again bring a beater canoe and be ready to get wet.
MattM
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11/19/2019 01:04PM  
Thanks for the info jwartman59. I live in Minnetonka, I will look into the Kinnickinnic River.

Does anyone have other winter paddling location suggestions?
tonyyarusso
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11/19/2019 01:51PM  
MattM: "Does anyone have other winter paddling location suggestions? "

Close to home, Rice Creek in Anoka and Ramsey Counties is still at runable levels as well, and probably doesn't have too much ice in the way yet, although I haven't looked.
WHendrix
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11/19/2019 06:59PM  
Matt. If you decide to try the Kinni send me a message. Depending on the date/time I may be able to help you with a shuttle if you need one. I live 10 min. (walk) from the river.
ArrowheadPaddler
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11/23/2019 07:49AM  
I am a bit late with this, but you should have no major ice problems paddling the Brule in November. A number of years ago I paddled a stretch in January; except for shelf ice in places, it generally doesn't freeze over.
old zip
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11/30/2019 03:18PM  
I've paddled from Winneboujou Landing to the Ranger Station/quick route with low level rapids as late as December 30. Paddling at Stones Bridge and going south is usually open most of the year with the moving water and springs. Enjoy...looks like early December would be ok for paddling. I always think about sections below Winneboujou that might have ice on them...in warm February days the routes are sometimes blocked which causes some unique exits and entries.
 
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