I'm looking at doing a trip on the Island River using entry point 34 on Memorial Day weekend. I don't know much about that area or route. Does anyone have any experience or tips for that area for a route? It will be me ad 3 other experienced paddlers.

Unless you head west to Bald Eagle or east to Perent you'll be in burn area there right away. It's been regrowing for 10 years but still very noticeable

There is no option for any loops from the Island River, so either get dropped off or do an out and back. From the Island River head down to the Isabella River. Most of this area is in the burn area so you’ll probably want to get to Bald Eagle, but there is good fishing in the river. From Bald Eagle there are a number of options, but if you’re only doing the weekend you might want to stay on BE and do some day trips.

It's been a long time (before Pagami) since I've been in the area. I've gone in at Island River, which was a nice entry but slow paddling due to the wild rice. My brother and I also went in Little Isabella, a cool entry, and went to Quadga. While there we also hiked a portion of the Pow Wow trail. If you had 2 cars you could enter Island River and exit Little Isabella. It was a very quiet area the 2 times I was in there, not busy at all. Never went all the way to Bald Eagle or Isabella, but everywhere in between.

I know the Island river fairly well. Yes - the burn is still very evident. You can paddle both up and downstream, current is noticeable in some spots, but not overly strong. Anything specific you want to know?

Was burned up to confluence of the Isablla River and the Little Isabella River.

Speckled: "I know the Island river fairly well. Yes - the burn is still very evident. You can paddle both up and downstream, current is noticeable in some spots, but not overly strong. Anything specific you want to know?"

What direction is the current flowing? Curious with Island & Isabella. Thinking about doing a short trip Little Gabbro to Island River or vice versa. Not sure which one flows more with current

I've seen more wildlife along Isabella than other areas fwiw.

bnics: "What direction is the current flowing? Curious with Island & Isabella. Thinking about doing a short trip Little Gabbro to Island River or vice versa. Not sure which one flows more with current"

It flows east to west. Here's a trip report that may provide some helpful information. Island & Isabella River tour, chasing the ice out

TuscaroraBorealis: "

bnics: "

What direction is the current flowing? Curious with Island & Isabella. Thinking about doing a short trip Little Gabbro to Island River or vice versa. Not sure which one flows more with current"

"


It flows east to west. Here's a trip report that may provide some helpful information. Island & Isabella River tour, chasing the ice out

"

Thank you! Came across your report yesterday as I was doing some research. Thinking about a smaller trip next year of Island River/Isabella lake to Little Gabbro/South Kawishiwi

I've spent time on the Island River 2x I think. Mostly for walleye fishing in the holes. The first trip it rained for 2 solid days, my tent leaked & all my gear was soaked till the sun finally came out on day 3. It was totally burnt out & almost impossible to light a fire cuz the wood tho charred was still green. Not the most scenic area of the BW but the walleyes kept me company and I had a limit to bring home both trips. Bald Eagle is a nice area if you can get there & back I would go for that. Really not much to see on the IR, but if you want to catch some eater size walleyes in the holes they are there. The current isn't a factor, it's a slow moving river mostly.

scat: "I've spent time on the Island River 2x I think. Mostly for walleye fishing in the holes. The first trip it rained for 2 solid days, my tent leaked & all my gear was soaked till the sun finally came out on day 3. It was totally burnt out & almost impossible to light a fire cuz the wood tho charred was still green. Not the most scenic area of the BW but the walleyes kept me company and I had a limit to bring home both trips. Bald Eagle is a nice area if you can get there & back I would go for that. Really not much to see on the IR, but if you want to catch some eater size walleyes in the holes they are there. The current isn't a factor, it's a slow moving river mostly."

Perfect!! Am hoping to have walleye at least once out there. Thought it would be a cool trip to paddle through the burn area.

I’ll give you a tip, the campsites on the river are strategically located next to the deep holes where the walleye lurk. Those sites have been there forever and are there for a reason. It is easy fishing with a jig & minnow. Give it a try, to me it was mostly a fishing trip I was turned on to by a townie guide.
I just remembered this, on one trip as I was pulling in the EP stopped then watched a cougar sauntering around on the road to the Isabella River EP for a good couple minutes, no doubt it was a cougar cuz I had a good look at it. That was cool. In fall there will be wild rice stands you have to paddle thru to get back to the EP that will fill your boat up with rice. Haven’t been there since 2015 I think, it was totally charred then, maybe it is nicer now.

Was this recent? We are looking to go here in August and was wondering what it looks like?

Thanks!

There's some growth coming back...but it's small trees at this point. Still very apparant there was a fire. Last time I paddled in that area was 2023.