Hi everyone! This will be my 4th year straight going into the boundary waters, but first time posting on here. I've appreciated reading the advice from everyone over the last few years!

Our group is planning to go in either May 16-23, or June 6-13. My understanding is there will be more people, and bugs, on the June date. I'm mostly concerned about fishing, we usually go in the last week of May and have usually had pretty good luck. Is May 16-23 too early for good fishing? Would June 6-13 be better? Any tips are appreciated!!

Mid May can still be pretty cold. I had snow one year. And the trees will probably not be green yet. Just be prepared for the weather (chilly) and scenery (brownish).

I went in Thursday May 21 last year and I got the last open site on Gaskin that day. There was one open site on Horseshoe as I paddled in. I definitely had some nights in the 30's and some days in the high 40's/low 50's if I remember correctly. The black flies were already out but manageable, mosquitoes were very light.

It was exponentially busier last year and from what I saw on my 4 trips I had to paddle farther than the entry lake and often the next lake to find open sites which was my plan anyway. I entered on a Thursday, a Friday, a Wednesday, and a Wednesday. They were all busy days to enter.

I wasn't fishing so I can't answer any questions there.

luft: "I went in Thursday May 21 last year and I got the last open site on Gaskin that day. There was one open site on Horseshoe as I paddled in. I definitely had some nights in the 30's and some days in the high 40's/low 50's if I remember correctly. The black flies were already out but manageable, mosquitoes were very light.


It was exponentially busier last year and from what I saw on my 4 trips I had to paddle farther than the entry lake and often the next lake to find open sites which was my plan anyway. I entered on a Thursday, a Friday, a Wednesday, and a Wednesday. They were all busy days to enter.


I wasn't fishing so I can't answer any questions there."

Uh I mean that was memorial day weekend of course its going to be busy.

Both fishing and bugs will depend on weather. If we have a drawn out winter like in 2014 Lakes could still have ice on the 16th (That year official ice out for Seagull was May 18th). If that is the case fishing could still be pretty slow. On the other hand, if we have an early spring the Bugs could be awful in June.

If the group has good gear and is not afraid of Cold, Mid may would be the way to go, but know that driving snow, ice, etc. could be there to greet you.

FWIW, I am planning a Solo trip for myself May 26-31.

Appreciate the help everyone! I think we are going to pull the trigger on May... let's hope for minimal 30 degree nights!! Thanks again!

Those rocks are cold in May. make sure that you have great sleeping pads and a good bag. I speak from a mid May trip a couple of years ago.

Your June dates would be my choice for fishing. Bugs can be nearly non-existent, or of Biblical proportions. Always something hatching up there that time of year :)