BWCA First Paddle Planned? Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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03/08/2021 08:24AM  
Anyone else itching to get out and paddle? I don't have the specifics in mind yet, but plan to hit one of the local rivers once the ice comes off.

Maybe a section of the Cloquet or Stony. Maybe Island River?
 
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MidwestFirecraft
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03/08/2021 09:06AM  
I plan on hitting the Willow River tomorrow!
 
03/08/2021 11:03AM  
Not really planned yet. But we usually take the Grumman out (on the lake where we have our cottage) around the end of March or first part of April. So far our lake is ice-bound. A day like today when it is supposed to get up to 60 will help with that.
 
HayRiverDrifter
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03/08/2021 12:09PM  
First paddle yesterday on the Hay.
 
03/08/2021 12:14PM  
Feeling lucky to report I was out four times last week. Spring is on the way!

 
03/08/2021 02:47PM  
fadersup: "Feeling lucky to report I was out four times last week. Spring is on the way!


"


That is fantastic! I'm hoping for some open spots by this weekend.
 
THEGrandRapids
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03/08/2021 05:10PM  
Speckled: "Anyone else itching to get out and paddle? I don't have the specifics in mind yet, but plan to hit one of the local rivers once the ice comes off.

Maybe a section of the Cloquet or Stony. Maybe Island River?"


I'm assuming you have historical experience with the Cloquet by mentioning it.... what's the typical window of opportunity for running it? I see DNR mentions spring run off or rain events. Does it compare to the Big Fork at all? Id like to run it all on one trip, but also interested in the up stream trout the DNR mentions.

Its on my short list- hopefully within 5 years I find the time to run it.
 
03/08/2021 07:35PM  
For me the first paddle of the year was back in January. In our local tristate area (WV, KY, OH) we can paddle year round. Occasionally the lakes will ice over and prevent paddling. However this seldom lasts long. Did a 12 mile paddle on Grayson Lake, KY this afternoon.
 
03/08/2021 08:50PM  
THEGrandRapids: "
Speckled: "Anyone else itching to get out and paddle? I don't have the specifics in mind yet, but plan to hit one of the local rivers once the ice comes off.


Maybe a section of the Cloquet or Stony. Maybe Island River?"



I'm assuming you have historical experience with the Cloquet by mentioning it.... what's the typical window of opportunity for running it? I see DNR mentions spring run off or rain events. Does it compare to the Big Fork at all? Id like to run it all on one trip, but also interested in the up stream trout the DNR mentions.


Its on my short list- hopefully within 5 years I find the time to run it."


I've never paddled what's refered to as the lower Cloquet (below Island Lake). I've paddled the section from Indian to Island on and off through the years. It's runable (is that a word?) all summer, however I typically wouldn't tackle it with anything but a royalex during lower water periods. DNR has a river level and flow gauge that's updated at least weekly. You can do Indian to Island without too much effort in 2 days one night. A favorite day trip is Indian to Bear. The river is remote and gorgeous!

Drop me an e-mail and we can talk about the upper reaches.
 
smoke11
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03/09/2021 07:30AM  
Done our first paddle last day of February on Pigeon River it was 73 with a cool wind.
 
03/11/2021 08:38AM  
smoke11: "Done our first paddle last day of February on Pigeon River it was 73 with a cool wind. "


Awesome - I'll likely have the same beaming smile when I first get out this year. We jut got 4 inches of snow west of Two Harbors last night...so it feels like i'm still at least a month+ out.
 
BAWaters
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03/11/2021 11:45AM  
Speckled: "Anyone else itching to get out and paddle? I don't have the specifics in mind yet, but plan to hit one of the local rivers once the ice comes off.

Maybe a section of the Cloquet or Stony. Maybe Island River?"


Yes indeed. Think about it almost everyday. I'll probably end up in either the Mississippi or Sauk River to kick things off.
 
03/12/2021 07:54PM  
Hoping to get out on the local river soon. Running a bit fast now with snow melt so might give it another week or so. Lakes are mostly open around here, so that's an option too
 
airmorse
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03/12/2021 08:04PM  
I might try one of the local lakes by me this weekend.
 
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