Headed to the BWCA 6/12/021 - through- 6/19/021.

I am looking for guidance regarding what bait to use in the BWCA

Please provide advice about taking live bait into the BWCA
If you think live bait is a good idea
If so, what do you recommend Minnows or Leaches (other)?

What is the best way to transport them will probably have 11 portages before we get to a base campsite.

What is more likely to survive the trek in.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

leeches this time of year - get a bait king leech holder

Leeches in a nalgene and a pound or so of salted minnows. Best bait has nice shiners.

Leeches in an extra nalgene. Search here for mine and other posts on it. Use 2 lids...one with holes to allow for water to stay fresh when at camp and fishing, solid lid for portaging so water isn't all over. They both stay on the rim the whole time

A pound of leeches will survive the trek in a Nalgene no problem. Switch them to a bait king when you get to camp. They will last longer than your trip does and catch you all the fish you would ever want.

Thanks very much for getting back to me

I will take all the help I can get

I bring a pound of leeches, and 5 dozen crawlers. They sell rectangular styrofoam crawler boxes that open on either side. They fit perfectly inside a soft side 6 pack cooler. Just keep them out of the sun.

I’ve always fished with leeches because they are easy to keep alive in the hot summer. I just returned from a trip where we took 12 dozen night crawlers too. The weather was very hot 88-92 deg. The crawlers were the bait of choice and lasted in a soft side cooler in the shade. For our daily bait we used those styrofoam bait holders. Leeches will last just fine too in a Bait King leech holder.