We are heading out of EP50 on Sunday, destination Long Island Lake. Family of 4 (Plus Labradoodle) kids are 9 and 12 and have tripped many times. We have always brought 2 canoes, one kid in each canoe, they have done well on decent size water. MNII and a Northwind 17.

I was thinking this morning that with the 5 or so portages it might be a little more efficient to take a Northwinds 20 and fit all of us that boat. Seems like plenty of room for what we bring (4 BAGs and a Small Dog)

What is your experience with 2 boats vs. 1 on family trips like this? This is my first time on this route.

Any other feedback on campsites or fishing on the route, other fun things to do?

Cheers,
Oldmanintree

If they're already all good in tandems, I'd stick with that. I only recommend big canoes for younger kids, or odd numbers when the odd person doesn't want to solo. 4 people plus gear plus a dog in one canoe would be a lot...not too much but a lot. What happens if people want to go different places when you're at camp? One boat means one option.

I used a four seater when my kids were younger (younger than yours at that time)- non paddlers. It worked alright. Some of the portages can be a bit more of a struggle with the longer canoe (tight turns). I would agree to stick with the tandems at this point

I have never paddled a 20' canoe, or a canoe with more than 2 people in it. However I vote for the two tandems. You aren't paddling in any big water so like before the kids should provide ample power in the tandems. If only two of you want to do some excursions or fishing, the 20' would be a lot of boat to handle. You could get all 4 in the smaller canoes for day trips however (two not paddling). That's a nice area. Enjoy your trip.

I put my two kids that age in the middle seat of a three-seater souris river which we rented from an outfitter.

I’d say two tandems based on age and experience now. I’m going in beginning of August with family of 4 with two of them being teenagers. First trip for my wife and daughter. We’re getting two Northwind 17’s.

Now if the number was six people I’d say two canoes with 3 seats. After going with 9 people at Northern Tier last year with 3 canoes and 3 per boat I’m a huge believer in 3 per canoe with those numbers. Goal was to single portage and with 3 canoes and 9 individuals we could single carry all the heavy gear and the 3 canoes. If you threw in a 4th canoe for two people to paddle we would have had to double portage.

If it’s 3 people I’m a proponent now of a single 3 seat canoe. If I do a solo at some point maybe my mind will change on that. Tried to paddle in wind last year a Souris River solo but with no packs last year since it was just a day trip with 2 other guys in a tandem. Couldn’t make that thing go straight into the wind. We ended up going back to the outfitter and switching out to a 3 seat canoe with 3 big guys. Then we covered some water.

Ryan

Thanks all! I think we stick to the 2 canoes. All good, can’t wait for the paddle :)

It will be a good route for the family, the first portage is the toughest....just some high steps. Ham and Cross bay lakes are good walleye/smallie fishing. The portage from cross bay to rib has a nice little waterfall around the corner from the portage. There is usually a patch of pitcher plants (carnivorous) along the shore between the portage and the falls lake is good smallie fishing, never caught any walleye there, but it has a very nice campsite. After you leave rib lake, you are pretty much committ d to Long Island lake......if you take the portage into the west end of Long Island lake, look for the lady slippers along the portage. You will have a nice sand beach to launch from on LI. If you follow the beach to the right (West) there is a cute little campsite with a great sand beach for swimming. There is also a nice island site due South from the portage. Some nice day trips would be down the Long Island river to Frost lake for the day and/or to Cherokee. The East end of LI Lake was hit heavy by the 2007 Ham lake fire. Enjoy!

Mike

When I was a kid my parents got 13 year old me, my 8 year old brother, two huge standard poodles, and all of our gear in a Minnesota 2. With jeans and sweatshirts because 70s.

But I’d take two ultralights for that group now.

I vote 2 canoes. That is a good route for them to handle their own canoe.

Heading out of EP 50 on Sunday as well with our kids (9 and 13), but left the dog at home. First trip for them, first for me in 20 years. Have a good trip! LIL and Cherokee both seem nice, and I was looking at Frost for a day trip possibly.