Have been to the BWCA ~75 trips. Really want to try Basswood primarily for walleyes since I've never done it. Two of us in a 14' fishing boat with 10hp. In the fall. This trip is primarily for fishing.

1. I've defaulted to going through Prairie Portage because I'm not sure only two of us can load, balance and push a boat on portage wheels if we go through Fall Lake. Any feedback would be appreciated.

2. Is the walleye fishing in the bays, if going through Fall Lake, considerably better? I only ask because that might tip the scales on how much work we want to put in getting there (if even realistic based on question #1). I'm not looking for hot spots. Just general info on fishing walleyes if we do go through Prairie Portage. I day-tripped through Hoist Bay last year (from other lakes) and that didn't look like great walleye water (looked very shallow and weedy).

3. This is my dad's boat. 2-stroke 10hp. I have no idea how much gas that would use getting to Basswood and fishing. Total 5 days. If anybody has a boat package that's similar any feedback would be awesome. I really don't want to bring a lot of extra gas...but not being able to just paddle out if I run out is a little concerning.

pos1: "Have been to the BWCA ~75 trips. Really want to try Basswood primarily for walleyes since I've never done it. Two of us in a 14' fishing boat with 10hp. In the fall. This trip is primarily for fishing.

1. I've defaulted to going through Prairie Portage because I'm not sure only two of us can load, balance and push a boat on portage wheels if we go through Fall Lake. Any feedback would be appreciated.

2. Is the walleye fishing in the bays, if going through Fall Lake, considerably better? I only ask because that might tip the scales on how much work we want to put in getting there (if even realistic based on question #1). I'm not looking for hot spots. Just general info on fishing walleyes if we do go through Prairie Portage. I day-tripped through Hoist Bay last year (from other lakes) and that didn't look like great walleye water (looked very shallow and weedy).

3. This is my dad's boat. 2-stroke 10hp. I have no idea how much gas that would use getting to Basswood and fishing. Total 5 days. If anybody has a boat package that's similar any feedback would be awesome. I really don't want to bring a lot of extra gas...but not being able to just paddle out if I run out is a little concerning."

I have done quite a few boat trips on Basswood, but with a 25 hp motor and a cabin on Moose. I hope that my advice is helpful, feel free to reach out with any questions.

1. If there is any question, do the trip through Prairie Portage. The only caveat is the number of permits for motor day use. I would plan on being on the recreation.gov website at midnight on permit day. Probably be best to have a couple people work with you and have a few different dates in mind.

2. The bays are fantastic. Not sure that one entry is better than another. If distance is an issue, it might be worth renting a 25 hp motor to get in depper fast if going the Prairie portage. Wind bay is good fpr walleye, look at maps for humps near drop offs and work windy shorelines. Cuople of sunken islands close to the portage that hold fish. The waterfall just after prairie portage is a great multi-species spot.

3. I would recommend a full tank and a spare. I tend to back-troll when looking for walleyes and that can use a lot of gas depending on wind/waves. Not to make you spend, but it might be worth the 25hp just from a time perspective and being able to cover more water.

I would be glad to let you know of a couple places to target if you want tot shoot me an e-mail.


Good luck!
Brandon

That's awesome info. Enough for now to determine it's a trip worth making. thanks for the info on getting there. It really felt like Prairie Portage was the right answer, at least for the first time.

didn't see email option for you, so....