Looking at entry points 47 (Lizz & Swamp) vs 37 (Kawishiwi) or 38 (Sawbill) for a next year trip in July or August. Leaning toward 47 because I was thinking it would be more remote. Less busy?

I wouldn't call 47 more remote (it's right off the GFT). It just has fewer permits per day. EP37 is actually in a more remote location. EP38 has a lot of permits and is right next to a campground and outfitter so it can be busy. I've used all three. EP37 may get you to more remote locations quicker with a good first day paddle behind you.

I'd agree with cowdoc, but will add that 37 could be busy to Polly or Malberg. If you take the long Lujenida-Zenith portage north of Sawbill, you'll likely drop most people.

Thanks will review 37 a bit more. I think we will have an amazing time wherever we go, just looking to refine since I am starting the planning early

Sure helps if you use the lake names. I have no idea what these entry point #s refer to however I’m certain I’ve used most of them.

jwartman59: "Sure helps if you use the lake names."

Wart... check the OP now.

Since jackfish kindly provided lake names I’ll give my two cents. Those entries are all fairly busy. Oddly one remote trip up here is starting at entry point 49, skipper lake. The 200 plus rod portage thins out the crowds. I’ve been here on solo trips and had the lakes up to Long Island to myself. Long Island can be a zoo, cut south and east and you’re back in the wild. There’s a killer portage in there, again thinning out the crowds.

Thanks everyone. I will also look at EP49 Skipper/Portage lakes as suggested!

Hard to say what things will be like next year but if you are going in July or August all of these will likely be pretty busy. One issue with many of the EPs mentioned is that as soon as you go far enough in you are getting close to some other EP.

Going a little further down the Gunflint Trail will get to you EP51. It has a long portage going into Tuscarora that tends to thin the herd a bit. You can then move onto Little Sag which I don't think is too bad for lots of people. There was hardly anyone there last time I visited in July, but that was a few years back. On the way back you can take the more northern route to see some different lakes before arriving back at the starting point.

Alternative if you are looking for a loop we can go through Mora and down to the Frost River to Frost Lake, Long Island Lake, and then back to your starting point.

Also agree with Bonnie - EP38 (Sawbill) is insane with 15 permits a day but if you are willing to do the 444 Rod portage into Zenith you should be putting the crowds behind you. Get an early start on Sawbill, paddle up to the Kelso River portage, paddle up that river (wide with little or no current - nice little paddle) to Lujenida. Once you get to Zenith you can continue North or cut East.

Meant to ask - how long of a trip are you planning and how much/how little traveling do you want to do?

DanC333: "Thanks everyone. I will also look at EP49 Skipper/Portage lakes as suggested!"

We took this last sept to Banadad. Never saw another paddler. That first portage feels longer than listed. Once at Banadad, you have to decide to either back track out, or continue a loop through Sebka, Cave, et.al. on your way to Long Island. Those are some tough portages and no campsites til Long Island. We really abused ourselves and went through Long Island, did the wall portage to Kisk, and camped on Omega. It was a long....tough....day.

Kiskadinna, not sure how I forgot that portage, after finding long lake filled and a family panicking about finding a campsite, the family was heading towards muskeg lake, hoping for the site to be open. I was much faster, the only campsite on the lake was open. I ate a quick dinner and waited for the family. I let them have the campsite. It was worth it just too se how happy they were. I had no idea what was ahead. Probably a good thing. I’m carrying a wood canoe, it’s fairly heavy. I had to put the canoe down, It was one of the few times in my life wear I thought that I couldn’t make it. Beautiful country, I’m avoiding long lake though.

So I am thinking the trip will be 5-7 days, and I am now thinking about June. I think June would have less people, but I don't know what else is affected- bugs-fishing-water too cold to swim or ok- type questions.

Depends on the year. Cool spring with late ice out.....water Temps can be quite cool. I swam once on a Memorial week trip. It was brief....but I swam. Fishing is usually good in early June....again, depending on water Temps. Bugs is usually what gets people. Black flies first, then skeets ramp up. If its been cool....its black flies. Hotter....skeets come quicker. I have done a number of early June trips and on a few, I hit the time frame when black flies were waning and skeets hadn't started waxing. It was surprisingly pleasant. If you have never experienced a good Minnesota black fly hatch, you're in for a real treat. Later June, its mostly all skeets. Hotter and wetter June and they can quite thick. June use to be for hard cores who could tolerate bugs and liked their fishing, but more people have started going in June over the last 5-10 years and its a little busier than it use to be. Again...a very variable time frame depending on what kind of spring it was.

Thanks!