I want to take my three kids for the first time to the BWCAW, we would like to catch fish, twin eight year olds and a six year old? Any suggestions?

How many adults? How many canoes?

First time for everyone or first time for the kids? We did our first trip (for all of us) with twin 7 year olds last summer to the numbered lakes. We used Lake One Outfitters and base camped on Lake 2. We got a great campsite that allowed for a lot of exploring on land. We only fished from shore as I cannot imagine trying to have multiple kids fish from a canoe. We didn't have much luck fishing, but that could have as much to do with me being bad at fishing and not being up there the best time of year for fish. We also explored other portages and walked a little bit of the Pow Wow trail. Lake 3 also has a little beach area for the kids, but being later in the year and cooler weather we didn't use it. We are going back to the same area next summer for some more exploring, to finish our hike to Rock of Ages Lake and day trip to some different lakes.

The lakes are definitely popular, but it didn't bother the kids in the least. When they get older we will try going a little more remote, but this age of kids, the shorter portages and amount of time spent getting to our destination was just about right. Kids that age just don't understand the beauty of the area they are in and want to do anything other than sit on their butts in a canoe. Other than that, lots of games, some books and keeping them involved in camp activities kept their attention span well. But of all the stuff we brought for them, they had the most fun playing with leeches.

two adults, two canoes.

Thanks so much, I appreciate it!! We are super pumped!!

One thing that my wife and I debated for a while was whether or not to bring electronics for the kids. As much as I was against it, I caved and figured we would bring for a "just in case" type of thing. To my surprise, my wife didn't think we needed to bring them. So we brought them for the driving, but left them in the car. The kids never missed them and in hind sight, I'm glad we didn't bring them.

Our kids always liked exploring a small island. Gather firewood and hike away from camp somewhere.

buckfawn: "I want to take my three kids for the first time to the BWCAW, we would like to catch fish, twin eight year olds and a six year old? Any suggestions?"

With 20 - 40 trips under your belt, I don't understand your concern and question... have you never fished on previous trips? Use your past experience and simplify the process for the kids. Less time spent fishing and a focus on fun will keep kids entertained. Then move to other activities. My kids liked hitting stones into the lake with a stick.

PS. Welcome to the board!

+1 on the number lakes for first-timers and kids. You can go in as far as you want/are able.

I'd like to recommend Lake One Outfitters at Kawishiwi Lodge. They have an awesome bunkhouse, are super kid-friendly, nice beach area, frozen pizza oven, pool table, cold beer and drinks... and you are ON Lake One to start out (saves 30 minutes of paddling, and sometimes folks miss that first channel to enter lake One). If you want to book with them, however, book early in January as they book up really fast.

Some suggestions here.

My 7 year old has been going for a few years now. One thing I would agree with is to not be surprised that even if fishing is great, be prepared that they might strongly prefer to explore and island and play/pretend instead.

I think if you can time it with fair weather and picking blueberries that might be good too. Like July 20-25th or so? A spacious "safe" campsite might help a lot as well.

I've been bringing my kids since they were 6 months old.

My major tips would be

- Make sure it is comfortable (bring a large tarp, screen protection from bugs, an extra blanket, extra snacks, etc.

- Sometime between June 1st and Sept 1st to make sure it is warm enough.

- Since you are bringing more stuff make it like a maximum of 2 portages. I haven't done more than 1 with my kids yet but they are only 2 and 5 now.

I've taken two trip with my three, when they were 6-8-10 and then again the next year. The biggest thing I learned was you are going to go slow. We went out of LIS and only made it to devil's Cascades the first day and then to little loon the second.

You'll find that they love the fire aspect, gathering wood and such. Just be prepared to do most all of the actual work. I did make each kid carry their own clothes and sleeping bag in their own pack, along with being responsible for their own paddle. We took zero electronics with us.

Since you've done trips before, you know that portaging kills you for time. I took a separate backpack with peanut butter jelly and tortillas, along with jerky and trail mix so they could eat at the end of a long portage while I finished up.

I look back on those trips and smile. I miss those trips with them and them being that young. Mine are now teenagers and have better things to do. You will be glad you took them.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I've taken two trip with my three, when they were 6-8-10 and then again the next year. The biggest thing I learned was you are going to go slow. We went out of LIS and only made it to devil's Cascades the first day and then to little loon the second.

You'll find that they love the fire aspect, gathering wood and such. Just be prepared to do most all of the actual work. I did make each kid carry their own clothes and sleeping bag in their own pack, along with being responsible for their own paddle. We took zero electronics with us.

Since you've done trips before, you know that portaging kills you for time. I took a separate backpack with peanut butter jelly and tortillas, along with jerky and trail mix so they could eat at the end of a long portage while I finished up.

I look back on those trips and smile. I miss those trips with them and them being that young. Mine are now teenagers and have better things to do. You will be glad you took them.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I'd recommend the burning chain from Sawbill. It isn't too far away in case you need to leave in a hurry, has walleye, and gives enough of a sense of adventure to experience the boundary waters. The lakes are also small enough that the water shouldn't get too rough. This is where I plan on taking my son when he is old enough.

Took our boys in 2015 through Lizz / Swamp 47 (Then ages 10, 7, and 4). Camped on Horseshoe 2 nights, Pillsbery 1 night, Caribou 2 nights. Day tripped to Vista 1 day also.

Nice area with small lakes, reasonable portages, and pretty good fishing. I fished on Caribou, Horseshoe, and Pillsbery. In 2016 I also fished Allen and Gaskin.

My favorite pic from the trip.

I've taken my 4 twice now and already have reservations for 2020. First trip was two years ago, kids were 1.5, 4, 6, and 8. We base camped on Carp in Quetico for 6 nights. My kids have short attention spans so we would paddle for a bit, stop and explore, eat, then paddle some more. For me, its all about what my kids want to do. If they want to fish, then we'll fish; if 15 minutes later they want to throw rocks, then we'll throw rocks.

I also involve them in the planning of the trip, I let my kids pick out their own lures, they pack their bags, they help plan means. I also try and keep them involved with camp chores: they wash dishes, gather firewood, cook, etc. Good times.