BWCA Seeking advice on 3 night Fall Lake to Ella Hall trip Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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scottiebaldwin
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01/31/2021 06:57PM  
Hello everyone! I'm as excited as are all of you about this year. I'm permitted for a late May, three-night trip from Fall Lake with the plan to stay on Ella Hall. I'm taking someone who has never before been to the BWCA. Plan on base camping so far, with fishing and relaxing being the primary focus. I'm wondering though about exploration options for a day trip into maybe Newton? Possibly Basswood for some fishing? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
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deepdish71
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02/01/2021 07:40PM  
It’s a fun lake. I’ve taken a side trip over to mud lake I believe. The portage to mud was a mess. There was a large storm that year and there was significant blowdown. That was about 4-5 years ago though so who knows what it’s like now. We were able to single portage from fall lake on the long truck portage. It’s basically a highway, flat and wide. We did use portage wheels which did make that part much easier. Fishing was ok, we didn’t try very hard though. Small mouth and northern pike were everywhere you would expect them to be. Stayed an entire week and had the lake to ourselves most of the trip.
scottiebaldwin
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02/02/2021 09:35AM  
deepdish71: "It’s a fun lake. I’ve taken a side trip over to mud lake I believe. The portage to mud was a mess. There was a large storm that year and there was significant blowdown. That was about 4-5 years ago though so who knows what it’s like now. We were able to single portage from fall lake on the long truck portage. It’s basically a highway, flat and wide. We did use portage wheels which did make that part much easier. Fishing was ok, we didn’t try very hard though. Small mouth and northern pike were everywhere you would expect them to be. Stayed an entire week and had the lake to ourselves most of the trip. "


Thank you very much!
02/02/2021 03:00PM  
A day trip to Newton seems like a challenge for a three-night trip base-camp on Ella Hall.
scottiebaldwin
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02/02/2021 03:18PM  
bobbernumber3: "A day trip to Newton seems like a challenge for a three-night trip base-camp on Ella Hall."


I’ll take that advice and keep it on Ella Hall and enjoy the fishing! Thank you so much.
02/03/2021 03:54PM  
scottiebaldwin: "Hello everyone! I'm as excited as are all of you about this year. I'm permitted for a late May, three-night trip from Fall Lake with the plan to stay on Ella Hall. I'm taking someone who has never before been to the BWCA. Plan on base camping so far, with fishing and relaxing being the primary focus. I'm wondering though about exploration options for a day trip into maybe Newton? Possibly Basswood for some fishing? Any advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks in advance."


Wife and I did a loop from Fall -> Newton -> Basswood -> Moose last year. IMO there is not enough time for you to make an enjoyable 3 day trip base camping on Ella Hall and have time to get into Basswood. Portage is pretty easy if you do decide to go for it though.
chessie
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02/06/2021 10:26AM  
Ella Hall is lovely. You will likely encounter a low area hiking the portage north from EH. By now you probably know about the legendary snapping turtles that hang out near campsites on EH. Keep an eye on your fish! End of 4-mile portage makes for a great lunch spot. Lots of history in this area.
02/06/2021 11:37AM  
Can anyone comment on walleyes on Ella Hall Lake?
Walleyeslayer69
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02/07/2021 08:17AM  
bobbernumber3: "Can anyone comment on walleyes on Ella Hall Lake?"
There are no Walleye on Ella Hall that is why it is not very popular. Take portage wheels it will be a lot easier. Personally If I wanted to leave Ella Hall for a day I would go to Back Bay and not Newton Lake. I went there last year. Snapping turtles are everywhere. My mom almost got bitten by one while taking a bath in the lake.
scottiebaldwin
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02/07/2021 09:31AM  
Walleyeslayer69: "
bobbernumber3: "Can anyone comment on walleyes on Ella Hall Lake?"
There are no Walleye on Ella Hall that is why it is not very popular. Take portage wheels it will be a lot easier. Personally If I wanted to leave Ella Hall for a day I would go to Back Bay and not Newton Lake. I went there last year. Snapping turtles are everywhere. My mom almost got bitten by one while taking a bath in the lake.
"


That sounds like a good plan! Thank you!
 
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