|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Shell Lake Area? |
Author
Text
02/22/2021 02:57PM
I'm tentatively planning on a mid- to late-May trip with my two sons up to the Shell Lake area. I've been through Loon and into LLC before but never to Shell. My question is in regards to water quality on Shell. I've read that the water in Shell is maybe not the best; even though I filter drinking water with a Platypus Gravity Works I know that the quality of the water that goes into the filter can have an impact on the taste of the water that comes out. For those of you who have been to the area, from a strictly water-quality perspective, would it be better to camp on one of the adjacent lakes or will it not make any significant difference?
I realize this seems like a pretty picky thing, but soft water season is coming and my thoughts are not as focused on work as they should be.
I realize this seems like a pretty picky thing, but soft water season is coming and my thoughts are not as focused on work as they should be.
Just put one foot in front of the other; eventually you'll get there.
Reply
Reply with Quote
Print
Top
Bottom
Previous
Next
02/22/2021 03:11PM
I've camped at Lower Pauness a couple of times, as well as Shell and Lynx. I've never stopped to consider water taste, I'm curious to read the responses. I would think that the filter you use and its relatively cleanliness would make more of a difference than the lake itself, but maybe someone else knows more than me on this.
Mike
Mike
I did indeed rock down to Electric Avenue, but I did not take it higher. I regret that.
02/22/2021 03:43PM
Water flavor in the BW is affected most by the presence -- or absence -- of tannins. We noticed this most when we started filtering. (Yes, we went a few earlier decades just dipping and drinking...) Gabbro Lake comes to mind as one heavy in tannins and nearly orange in color sometimes. Although the color didn't really change much, filtering out these teeny particles rendered the water from any lake -- even Gabbro -- a similar, excellent, taste. As my canoe buddy of 40+ years says, "Remember when we used to get thirsty drinking it?..."
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
02/22/2021 07:34PM
If you gravity filter add a carbon element to your system. Will remove nearly any lingering vegetative flavor. Shell has decent water. Little Shell even better.
Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.
02/24/2021 06:43PM
There’s only a few lakes where, after filtering, I could “taste” the lake. Shell doesn’t fit the bill. It is not as clear as Little Shell or Lynx but the taste is the same. Plus—clear water does not mean clean water.
02/24/2021 09:19PM
I passed through Shell two years ago on my way out. I remember scooping up water to use in my gravity filter when I stopped at campsite for lunch. I did not think it was a big deal, but the water looked a little less clear than some lakes. Keep in mind that walleye love water that is not crystal clear.
02/25/2021 10:39AM
Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)
Just put one foot in front of the other; eventually you'll get there.
02/25/2021 11:25AM
We used to add an MSR Sweetwater carbon filter after the Sawyer water filter on our homemade gravity filter system. I think that it helped improve the taste of the water. Unfortunately I think that the Sweetwater has been discontinued as I haven't been able to find them anymore.
02/25/2021 12:08PM
I'll use MiO to add to the water. They make some with Caffeine too, which I like for those mornings where you want to break camp and get on the water ASAP.
"In wilderness is the preservation of the world" - Henry David Thoreau
02/26/2021 02:12PM
Pilgrimpaddler: "Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)"
Lynx, Shell, Heritage are all good walleye lakes.
02/26/2021 10:08PM
egknuti: "Pilgrimpaddler: "Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)"
Lynx, Shell, Heritage are all good walleye lakes. "
Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!
Just put one foot in front of the other; eventually you'll get there.
02/27/2021 09:44AM
chessie: "
This is the water from lower Pauness last July. I can't say it tasted bad, but as you can see, not too clear. Only going to guess Shell is better. "
Oh, great... Now I need to create a new Photo Album here: 'Water Bags From Various Lakes.' :-)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
03/01/2021 08:14AM
Pilgrimpaddler: "Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!"
Awesome! Don't know how long you will be there but I will be heading through on my way to Lynx on May 25th.
"In wilderness is the preservation of the world" - Henry David Thoreau
03/01/2021 10:23AM
Interesting discussion.
I’ve never compared water clarity to water quality. Not the same.
Except for ponds and a few notoriously swampy lakes, every lake up there is drinkable.
I would avoid entry lakes with cabins. Think septic systems.
Tom
I’ve never compared water clarity to water quality. Not the same.
Except for ponds and a few notoriously swampy lakes, every lake up there is drinkable.
I would avoid entry lakes with cabins. Think septic systems.
Tom
03/01/2021 10:54AM
Cricket67: "Pilgrimpaddler: "Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!"
Awesome! Don't know how long you will be there but I will be heading through on my way to Lynx on May 25th. "
We're planning on heading in on the 22nd - probably base camping at Lynx. It will be interesting to see how busy it will be this year, but I don't expect to get much separation from the crowd by only going 1/2 a day in.
Just put one foot in front of the other; eventually you'll get there.
Subscribe to Thread
Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. Sign up Here