So it's been over 10 years since I last event into the BWCA and I'm trying to figure out a good EP for the group. We are going to head up for a long weekend the end of May/June. We know that we want to take it easy and stay at one campsite so we can do a lot of fishing and exploring. I'm not really sure where to begin looking for a good EP the group. Any advice would be helpful.

Vera. Beautiful lake. Very, very little traffic. Good walleye-excellent trout options a couple short portages/paddles away.

Whiskey, Memorial Day is late this year so end of May means Memorial Day weekend and it will be busy. If you go that weekend try to put in early Friday morning if you can. The week after should be somewhat less busy...maybe? Or, if you can, go in at the beginning of the week leading up to Memorial weekend as we have done a few times and are doing again this year. Traffic is usually light, bugs are just starting to appear and the weather is usually cool and crisp at night but nice during the day (ha, usually in MN?) Take out Thursday or Friday before Memorial weekend and avoid the crowds and the traffic on the way back.

Also your entry point and date could be impacted by permit availability, they have gone fast again this year. I looked closely at permit availability for the Friday before Memorial weekend. Couple ideas:

EP 62 Crocodile River but you actually put in at landing on East Bearskin Lake. Paddle 35 minutes to portage on south shore into Crocodile lake. 4 campsites on the lake. Excellent and almost easy walleye fishing, also pike and jumbo perch. Not much for bass. Very remote lake for how close it is . Many folks don't go because it is a dead end lake and with that permit you must stay all nights on Crocodile Lake. But if you just want to basecamp, fish and relax for a few days it could work fine. Easy in and out. Pretty lake and good wildlife sighting possibilities. One permit per day and presently they are available for several days before that Friday and a couple days after that Friday.

Homer Lake entry 40, 2 permits per day and most available before and after that Friday entry date. Couple short easy portages to get to Vern lake (other options too) which is a nice lake with 2 good campsites and good fishing for walleyes, pike and smallmouth. Caught 7 19 inch walleyes from shore at camp last summer. Also the Vern River is really cool for exploration/daytrip and good fishing too.

Meeds Lake entry 48 if you are willing to take a long and somewhat challenging portage in you will be on a very quiet lake with very good fishing for smallies and walleyes. Three campsites available and not a very popular destination. Permit availability is good too. You could head out via Caribou and Lizz Lakes to Poplar which is an easier way but permits are taken for entry. So you would only have to do the long portage once:)

Hog Creek entry 36 has good availability. You would paddle down a narrow winding creek for a couple hours but then you come out on Perent Lake which has many nice campsites and known for good walleye fishing. Very pretty lake but can get a little windy. Minimal portaging(one from the car).

If you have any questions, just ask. I only checked permit availability for Memorial Day weekend, might be better the next week - or maybe not. But in any case I would not wait too long to get something booked.