BWCA Oyster River Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Jimholt210
member (30)member
  
07/26/2020 12:44PM  
On Sept 5 we are heading out from the Moose River towards Oyster lake and up to Pocket, Finger, through Loon Bay ending at Little Indian Sioux. Has anyone been on the Oyster River ? With low water I’m concerned that it may be like paddling across my front yard here in the burbs! I have never been on it. However, it looks pretty marshy.
 
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07/26/2020 03:14PM  
Lots can change between now and September. I was there in May with low water levels and did the portage from Agnes to the Oyster River. No problems at all with any of the river levels then. I believe someone picked up the Oyster River from Nina Moose around that time and did ok. A little search on that topic will get you some more details.
Nigal
distinguished member (218)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/26/2020 07:58PM  
I think I did read one of the comments on the map that the river is not worth taking and the portage is faster. Also said the bugs were horrible? I’m going into the same area Aug 28-Sept 5.
07/26/2020 09:29PM  
It's not easy going UP the Oyster river even with decent water levels. Confusing maze of channels...narrow channels, beaver dams to go up over, etc. Much easier imo to go to Agnes and take the portage.
07/26/2020 09:52PM  
I went down the river at the end of June. It was very narrow as it reached Nina Moose River. I had some difficulty making turns with my 17ft canoe. In addition there were 6-7 beaver dams I had to cross. Some were easy as I could just paddle over. Some I had to get out and pull my canoe across. With the narrowness of the river, it made it a bit more challenging. It’s difficult going down, and I can’t imagine trying to go up. Unless you really want some adventure and strenuous work, I’d take the portage from Agnes.
Noslen
senior member (80)senior membersenior member
  
07/27/2020 07:38AM  
Great route, you will enjoy it.
No recent experience, but in mid-Sep 2018 went EP16 to Oyster and decided to go through Agnes for a faster route. Had to walk the canoe a couple places in Moose River on the way in when we were heavier. Oyster is a fun river if you don't mind beaver dam pullovers and standing up in the canoe to reconnoiter the main path, just takes longer. Great seclusion, good fishing on finger.
07/27/2020 09:59AM  
FYI the portage from Agnes to the Oyster River isn't bad. There's even a nice beach landing on Agnes
Geocellostrong
member (12)member
  
07/27/2020 10:58AM  
See you somewhere in the middle! Going in at LIS 9/7 and going opposite direction. Won’t be doing the oyster river though since looping back to LIS.
olsonm37
member (34)member
  
07/27/2020 01:46PM  
Either way you go, I think is difficult. I didnt paddle the Oyster river from Nina Moose, but it looks narrow and difficult. I would disagree with the above poster about the portage from Agnes to Oyster River. That was, rod for rod, the most difficult portage I have done in 6 trips to the BWCA. Probably 4 pull overs, and 4 pull under downed trees. Straight up hill from Agnes and very muddy.

That said, you are rewarded with the most beautiful lake I have seen in the BWCA in Oyster. And the entrance to Oyster on the second portage is worth the hike as well.
07/27/2020 01:53PM  
olsonm37: "Either way you go, I think is difficult. I didnt paddle the Oyster river from Nina Moose, but it looks narrow and difficult. I would disagree with the above poster about the portage from Agnes to Oyster River. That was, rod for rod, the most difficult portage I have done in 6 trips to the BWCA. Probably 4 pull overs, and 4 pull under downed trees. Straight up hill from Agnes and very muddy.


That said, you are rewarded with the most beautiful lake I have seen in the BWCA in Oyster. And the entrance to Oyster on the second portage is worth the hike as well."
Not a single down tree last May.It was dry in May so not muddy, that can always change. It's a moderate portage in my 30 years of BW experience.
Guest...
Guest Paddler
  
07/27/2020 06:15PM  
Missed the portage coming out of oyster in late June. Didn't realize until the portage ended after twenty rods. Took the Creek in solo canoe and was just wide enough! Was beautiful wetlands, zigging and zagging and very shallow. Was interesting but wouldn't recommend for a regular canoe.
Jimholt210
member (30)member
  
07/27/2020 09:18PM  
It’s my favorite area in the BW. Twice I’ve done this route starting and finishing at LIS. A little different this time due to permit availability.
Jimholt210
member (30)member
  
07/27/2020 09:25PM  
I think the Agnes portage is the way to go. And be ready to work for it. Thanks to all for your opinions.
Nigal
distinguished member (218)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/28/2020 04:14AM  
olsonm37: "Either way you go, I think is difficult. I didnt paddle the Oyster river from Nina Moose, but it looks narrow and difficult. I would disagree with the above poster about the portage from Agnes to Oyster River. That was, rod for rod, the most difficult portage I have done in 6 trips to the BWCA. Probably 4 pull overs, and 4 pull under downed trees. Straight up hill from Agnes and very muddy.


That said, you are rewarded with the most beautiful lake I have seen in the BWCA in Oyster. And the entrance to Oyster on the second portage is worth the hike as well."


I’m looking forward to going to Oyster. Can you tell me how many hours it would take someone to get from ep16 to Oyster?
olsonm37
member (34)member
  
07/28/2020 10:56AM  
Nigal: "
olsonm37: "Either way you go, I think is difficult. I didnt paddle the Oyster river from Nina Moose, but it looks narrow and difficult. I would disagree with the above poster about the portage from Agnes to Oyster River. That was, rod for rod, the most difficult portage I have done in 6 trips to the BWCA. Probably 4 pull overs, and 4 pull under downed trees. Straight up hill from Agnes and very muddy.



That said, you are rewarded with the most beautiful lake I have seen in the BWCA in Oyster. And the entrance to Oyster on the second portage is worth the hike as well."



I’m looking forward to going to Oyster. Can you tell me how many hours it would take someone to get from ep16 to Oyster? "

Single portaging I would say 5-6 hours going all the way to Oyster. If you have a strong headwind on Nina Moose or Agnes could be 6-8 hours. Nina Moose river is an awesome paddle and you can have a lot of fun with the twists and turns.

Went memorial weekend in May 2019 and the first portage from Agnes to Oyster River was grueling. If there are not any downed trees it wouldn't be so bad. Pretty tight spaces IMO, but again worth it
07/28/2020 03:26PM  
Single portaging I did Oyster to EP16 in 4 hours last May with a good south headwind. The Agnes- Oyster portage was clear then.
Nigal
distinguished member (218)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/28/2020 07:37PM  
Thanks, I’m putting in on Saturday so I’m thinking I’ll be going all the way to Oyster before finding an open site. And this is after a 14 hour drive. LOL!
 
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