I'm planning a trip to Wind Lake with a group 7 in Late September and was looking for tips on the fishing, availability of campsites, and issues with bears. Never have been to this area in September. Also part of my group wants to do a tow and I noticed on Facebook that Latourells is temporary closed was wondering if they are still closed.

I don't know about Latourells, but Canadian Border Outfitters is open and doing tows in Moose Lake. We stayed on Wind for our last night with the scouts (5 people total). The island site on the south side of the north island (#1664) was ok. Not our favorite of the trip, but it was adequate (this was 2006 so a little dated info). We tried fishing along the drop off along the side of the island with no luck, but we were fishing in the middle of the day. There are lots of points to try though and the moving water near the stream to Wind Bay is probably worth a try. I don't remember if the water is coming in or going out. You can sign up with Paddle Planner or check out the shared map info on this site, and you can also help by posting info on what you found after your trip.

Williams and Hall would be another tow-able outfitter there....among others. But from the parking lot to the Wind portage isn't THAT far. But you will likely paddle past a boat or two while paddling on Moose.

I think it took us about 2 to 3 hours to portage out of Wind and paddle back to CBO at the end of the lake. It was a nice enough paddle without much wind and quite a few bald eagles along the way. We stayed along the west shoreline. There were a few tows going by, but they mostly seemed to go along the east shore except in the narrow areas. Maybe because they saw us and gave us room, not everyone is that considerate though.

IMHO getting a tow to the Wind portage would be a waist of money. Maybe it would save you 30 minutes as that’s about how long it would take you to paddle to the Moose-Wind portage. Wind is a pretty lake, the island campsite is awesome and the fishing is great for pike and bass around the islands. No walleyes in Wind though, that’s probably why the pike and bass fishing are so great as it’s overlooked by most anglers. The portage is a little bit of a climb and then a nice descent on the Wind side.

Best of luck for a great trip!

Tony

Freeleo1: "I think it took us about 2 to 3 hours to portage out of Wind and paddle back to CBO at the end of the lake. It was a nice enough paddle without much wind and quite a few bald eagles along the way. We stayed along the west shoreline. There were a few tows going by, but they mostly seemed to go along the east shore except in the narrow areas. Maybe because they saw us and gave us room, not everyone is that considerate though. "

Funny you mention the bald Eagles. They do a lot of professional photo shoots of bald eagles on the western shores of Moose Lake (just south of the BWCA borderline) several times a year. Not sure if it’s just a “hot spot” or if they bait them in with fish guts. Many of the photos end up in calendars and what not. I’ve paddled by twice as they were conducting photo shoots. Pretty remarkable to see. There were probably 10-12 eagles in the immediate vicinity.

Tony

GopherAdventure: "

Freeleo1: "I think it took us about 2 to 3 hours to portage out of Wind and paddle back to CBO at the end of the lake. It was a nice enough paddle without much wind and quite a few bald eagles along the way. We stayed along the west shoreline. There were a few tows going by, but they mostly seemed to go along the east shore except in the narrow areas. Maybe because they saw us and gave us room, not everyone is that considerate though. "

Funny you mention the bald Eagles. They do a lot of professional photo shoots of bald eagles on the western shores of Moose Lake (just south of the BWCA borderline) several times a year. Not sure if it’s just a “hot spot” or if they bait them in with fish guts. Many of the photos end up in calendars and what not. I’ve paddled by twice as they were conducting photo shoots. Pretty remarkable to see. There were probably 10-12 eagles in the immediate vicinity.


Tony"

Some of those photographers live on or close to Moose lake.

It was mentioned above that is does not, but Wind Lake does hold walleyes.

GopherAdventure: "IMHO getting a tow to the Wind portage would be a waist of money. Maybe it would save you 30 minutes as that’s about how long it would take you to paddle to the Moose-Wind portage. Wind is a pretty lake, the island campsite is awesome and the fishing is great for pike and bass around the islands. No walleyes in Wind though, that’s probably why the pike and bass fishing are so great as it’s overlooked by most anglers. The portage is a little bit of a climb and then a nice descent on the Wind side.


Best of luck for a great trip!


Tony"

I agree Tony. In fact, if you get a tow it's not like you drive up to the tow boat and hop in. Usually have to pay first, deal with parking, etc. I wonder with the logistics of dealing with a tow if you would save any time at all.

Thanks for all the tips!

Now why would Latourells be closed? Tough getting a boat out of Basswood without them.

yogi59weedr: "Now why would Latourells be closed? Tough getting a boat out of Basswood without them."

Where you reading that?

Wind Lake has a special place in my heart, have been several times but it's been 20+ years since I have dipped a paddle in that lake. I really need to get back there soon.....

The island campsite was nice and would be the first one I would check. We did well on northerns/bass just slowly trolling around the island with Rapalas. The north part of the the lake is weedier, so casting topwaters was a lot of fun.

Indiana Lake is a great day trip from Wind. Lot's of both smallies and largemouth. In fact the largest largemouth I ever caught was there just over 21", caught in early October. I would make a day loop down through Indiana to Good and come back on Basswood through Wind Bay (assuming not too much wind). Troll all the way back when on Basswood for the chance of hooking a monster Pike.

If anyone is feeling adventurous, try to find the old portage on the south side of the lake to Washte Lake. According to some older comments on the interactive map it is supposed to be loaded with Largemouth.

I will also reiterate that a tow to the Wind Lake portage is probably not worth the $$. And lastly, on the several trips I have taken we saw no bear or bear sign.

Last sentence of 1st post.

Don't even think about a tow to the Wind portage for all the reasons outlined already. Wind is kind of a hidden gem if you catch it right. Fishing is very good. Some nice campsites.