Hello,

I am booked for 6/15-5/22 for a private cabin and motorized boat (no bwca permit),
This year in addition to fishing Fall Lake I am considering the following day trips and wife is possibly going (3/4 non fisherman).

Any input on the following as best day fishing trips?
Portage a rental canoe to Newton and fish the falls.
Portage to Elle Hall with wheels (is 1.5 hours a good estimate each way?
Would 4 mile portage require getting muddy /wet
Entry #30 and just fish Lake Zero
Would Pipestone falls be worthwhile with enough fishing time?
Open to driving to another entry point as well

Open to any other suggestions.

Thank You

Following.....

Pipestone would be doable with an early start and coming back late. How much fishing time is enough? Leave later and/or get back earlier would reduce the time fishing. If good paddlers and you are in the long day category, continue on down the Basswood River to se more falls, table rock, and pictographs. This trip would reduce fishing time to near zero, I would think. I think it worth while even if no fishing for this day.

You could troll on the way up and on the way back. It's a pretty easy paddle and portage into Newton too. It will take you about 4 hours, maybe less to paddle all the way up the Basswood Falls, one-way just for reference.

Lewis narrows would be worth a trip.

Dodger.

While a lot prettier and larger, I found the fishing to be better at Newton Falls than Pipestone.

I don't think you'll get portage wheels down the portage to Ella Hall, it's pretty narrow. The year I did it there was water over the portage that drained into Mud Lake.

Couple of daytrip options I like for EP30: Head west from the EP, cross the first portage into Confusion Lake and then head upstream back into Lake One and then head back to the EP. Head west from the EP, cross the first portage into Confusion Lake and then head downstream another 3 portages to a small waterfall and then return the same way.

JD

Thanks all for the advice, it really makes a huge difference in the experience as not long until we are empty nesters.


We float / fish a lot of Ozark rivers so any Kawashiwi river options may be scope. Also this year my wife is going so there is the option of a longer trip with just me and son or me, son and daughter.


Jdevries,

For the EP30 trip you mention 4 portages total is that for two different routes?

Trip 1?
I like for EP30: Head west from the EP, cross the first portage into Confusion Lake and then head upstream back into Lake One and then head back to the EP.

Trip2?
Head west from the EP, cross the first portage into Confusion Lake and then head downstream another 3 portages to a small waterfall and then return the same way.

Are they fairly easy as I will have 4 people, so possible every portage I will be doing 2 canoes, I am strong but not in great cardiovascular health (pacemaker) but my boy will be along and is 15.

Is a 4 man canoe an option or 2 canoes better with a heavyweight like me:) It is me 230lb, wife 120lb, son 170lb, daughter 80lb.

Sorry for so many silly questions. Last year I was totally unprepared and everyone loved it, we basically stayed at Fall lake and went to the portage upstream of the Pipestone Bay once, now you guys have provided the knowledge so likely 500% better:)


Thank You

For Trip 1 it would be 3 total portages, all relatively easy. For trip 2 you're stopping at the 4th portage so it would be 6 total portages 3 down and 3 back. The first 2 are quite easy, the 3rd is a bit longer and has a pretty steep hill right at the east end of the portage. Attached is a picture of the area at that 4th portage.

From a canoe perspective, I think you'd be fine with one canoe. Back when my kids were younger we'd rent a Wenonah MN III or IV and fit the 4 of us and my mother in the canoe quite easily. They have 3 seats so you get the benefit of another paddler.



JD