Hello, I would love a little help in figuring this out before I pick the entrance area and sign up. Planning to go next week or the one after depending what's available.

I am mainly a fisherman from the Adirondacks so I’m used to the paddle, camping, etc. but wholly about the fishing really. I want to beat my 39" pike record from the Adirondacks so I’m looking for great pike fishing ideas. Plan to get a mixed bag, but that's my main goal.

I'm bringing my own fishing kayak, but it's a heavy sit on top and it doesn’t have wheels to attach.

Any suggestions on routes? I plan to go at least 5 days, maybe more. Should I go Basswood and then deeper into the woods after or the other side and head into Knife etc.? Can I park at all entrances? And portaging is fine, but ideally using the wheels is better than trying to unload a kayak and drag that heavy thing, but if it's worth It, I'll do it.

Thank you so much!

I can’t help with good pike routes but just a heads up that mechanical assistance (portage wheels included) is only permitted over the following: International Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Vermilion-Trout Lake Portage, Fall-Newton-Pipestone Bay Portages into Basswood Lake, and Prairie Portage.


Also if by chance your kayak has foot pedals, that’s a no-go as well.

Its tough to get too far into the bwca with a kayak. Good luck!

wow that's new info. not included on states site though.... they really have nothing. so that's a you didn't tell me. they're wheels. I could rent a more basic ride but just seeing if that's necessary I guess.

Not sure what website you’re looking at but it’s in page 5 below from USFS and also in the “need to know” section of the bwca page on recreation.gov

Regulations pdf

They’re really saving you from yourself. These portages for the most part would be a nightmare with a kayak on portage wheels. This isn’t a case of “they didn’t tell me,” it’s a case of you not knowing the rules, which has never been a good defense for breaking the rules.

you're link doesn't work and I've been looking at the state site. but being from NY I know they aren't reliable. so whatever. I can carry, usually do actually, or rent. any ideas for pike ideas and route suggestions?

Sorry fixed the link.

I still don’t know what you mean by the state site. Bwca is a federally managed wilderness area so you wanna be on USFS.gov and go from there.


I’ll say you could do a LOT worse than just staying on basswood if you are after pike. I’m fairly sure those waters are home to our state record set in 1929.

Also... are you planning to camp in the bw or take day trips in. I ask because you mentioned next week and the bw is currently closed to camping. Day permits only thru May 18 at the earliest.

I would really suggest to check out outfitters in the area. You clearly need more info before heading in. There are many good outfitters to choose from depending on where your entry will be.

I would go to the permit site and check out available permits at the various entry points. When you find a site that fits, then look for an outfitter in close proximity. Or do the opposite and contact outfitters for advice. Many have bunk houses for your first night where you can prep, gear up for current fishing conditions and have a wonderful experience.

Outfitters will take you to the entry point in the morning. Please review leave no trace principles before you go if you are not already good to go and please review the required Forest Service videos. Good luck and good fishing!

Yes, I do plan to contact some outfitters. I have all I need, but you're correct, I'm used to doing this, but am clearly new to the location. And yes, I am camping and, as mentioned earlier, I do see there are no permits until the 18th, which is when I plan to go. I guess the choice is where the fish are and if I can use my already outfitted fishing kayak or have to utilize something else that I rent. Tough choice.

When you sort through all the good advice above and you have your gear and boat choices all set, you might consider going in via Moose Lake out of Ely. You can get a tow from a couple of different outfitters on the lake. I have my favorite but they are all good. If you get dopped off at Indian Portage, you'll have a short 10 rod portage (you can paddle around the peninsula too) into Birch and then four relatively short portages onto Knife.

Of course, you can't go wrong by using Moose Lake entry to head into Basswood. You would be heading west instead of east with one portage on the Canadian side around the falls. Just my two cents.

whiteyrm: "...and if I can use my already outfitted fishing kayak or have to utilize something else that I rent. Tough choice. "

Not a tough choice at all. If you're staying on one lake for the entire time, bring it. If you're not, don't. If you try to portage that thing, you'll be ready to burn it 50 yards into your first portage. Just rent a canoe and plan your trip accordingly. Don't drive all the way from New York and not enjoy what you're doing.

Please be aware that they are likely to extend the shutdown and delay overnight camping until a later date, possibly June. This last extension came in last minute, as in 4PM the day before, so you might not get any prior warning either. You might want to reschedule your trip or at least be prepared for it to be rescheduled. Delaying a day or two at minimum would be a good idea so that you are not traveling when you get the bad news.

Ha ha! I'd agree! I helped a partner portage his sea kayak through four portages in Wabakimi. He drove all the way from South Bend to get there and he admitted that he just didn't know what to expect. So, we cached his metal rudder and associated gear in the brush near one portage and circled back on the way out to pick it up. I think he probably dropped a good 100lbs of gear in that cache.

The next year he returned with a canoe.

I appreciate all the info! It is hard to decide though - a couple portages with a heavy kayak that also paddles fast and has rod holders and I love to fish out of?

Is a couple long carries worth that hateful part of a slow canoe and blowing all over the place while fishing? I don't know. More time will be spent fishing than portaging so it's really deciding the most value, I guess. A friend said the portages through to Knife are popular and worn down so easy.

Regardless, I'd love fewer people and great fishing. I'm greedy. Should I do Knife or Basswood just for the wildlife and fishing part?

Thank you!

Tomorrow I'm off to Adirondack Island camping to hold me over as I wait for this!

If you like that boat and want to use it, you sure can. Just look for an EP that's actually on a lake and doesn't require a portage in. And most of those are larger lakes, which are going to hold the larger fish you're looking for.

I really can't tell you which of these are known for great pike fishing, but just a few that come to mind would be 54 into Seagull, 55 into Saganaga, 41 into Brule, 28 into Snowbank, 25 into Moose/Ensign (kind of doubt you'd make it to Knife with that boat), 24 into Basswood (discussed above).

Knife would be more remote, but both Knife and Basswood hold big fish. I'm sure both hold plenty of 40"+ gators.

I have to chime in on boat choice as well. I have solo tripped in my 14.5' sit-in kayak. They make a special yoke that clamps onto the hatch that makes portaging the kayak possible. But it still sucks! I normally use my SR Q17 for trips because that's what it's made for.

I also have a fishing kayak and there is no way in hell I would ever try to portage that thing! I'm 6'2" and 215# and fairly fit and unless you're an NFL tight end in game shape or a Cross fit champion, DON'T DO IT! Like Jackfish said, you're gonna want to burn that thing!