Looking for any recommendations from the veterans on this site for an entry point the last weekend in September. This will be my wife's first time to the BWCA. A couple options I have been thinking of so far are: Baker Lake, Lizz/ Swamp, Homer Lake or Possibly Magnetic. But I would love others opinions. Here is a little info on what we want.

1. 4 Days - 3 nights - Probably base camp all 3 nights but open to a short in and out trip or a small loop.

2. Smaller lakes and minimal portaging. Don't want to discourage her the first time with a big trip. I've made that mistake before.

3. Fishing - I understand the time of year is not ideal for this but we would like to have some decent fishing. I love to fish and she enjoys it as well. Specifically walleye would be nice, but will settle for catching anything.

4. Minimal People - I figure this shouldn't be too hard in late September.

Thanks in advance for Your Input!

I think the Baker Lake option is a good one for your desired goals. Baker Lake EP trip report

E.P. 64 E. Bearskin is nice. Short portages, smaller lakes. Good fishing (walleyes on Alder. Splake on Pierz and lake trout on Crystal Lake). Nice campsites (particularly on Canoe Lake) and your wife will love a short day trip (picnic) to Johnson Falls. Last time I was there we saw a mama moose and her calf near the portage from Bearskin to Alder. Stay at Bearskin Lodge the night before or after your trip. They are great people. Enjoy!

I like to do the popular entries in September and October when not too crowded. Lake One for instance and the Kawishiwi triangle, or Little Gabbro and do a day loop through Gull, Clearwater, etc. Not a bad time of year to do LIS.

Homer is a good entry and an easy trip to a basecamp on either Vern or Pipe. Vern has 2 nice campsites and we have enjoyed both of them and had good fishing from camp in both of them as well. If those are taken Pipe is usually really quiet and Juno looks really cool although I have not been there, neither are far away. A daytrip up the Vern River could yield both very nice scenery and good fishing for smallies and walleyes. It is a nice and often overlooked entry point.

Another thought would be to head to Crocodile Lake from East Bearskin...permit is #66 Crocodile River but you actually enter from the landing at the East Bearskin campground. 35 minute paddle to a moderate 100 plus rod portage with some uphill walking but not too bad. Crocodile has 4 campsites and great walleye fishing, big perch too. Very remote feeling for the distance from the car, good wildlife sighting possibilities, daytrip options down the Crocodile River a ways at the east end of the lake. Second campsite is the best, 4th is good. 1st campsite is ...unique but doable. It's a great easy/short entry trip to a scenic lake that offers a remote feeling and very good fishing. Must stay all nights on Crocodile Lake with this entry permit.


Trip reports if you are interested:


Homer Lake trip


Crocodile Lake trip


Whatever you decide hope you have a great time!!

I have done several trips into Gaskin and Horseshoe in mid and late September. Beautiful fall colors and wildlife viewing opportunities (moose). In the last part of Sept. about 1/4 - 1/3 of the campsites were occupied.

Lizz/Swamp entry is a great area. Meeds lake is pretty good fishing but I would go to Vista at that time of year. The southern most site is one of the best in the BW in my opinion.

We used to go in the Ely area, then 9 years ago moved up to Gunflint. We did Lizz and other entrances with 2-3 portages. Now we base camp on Seagull, Alpine or Red Rock Lake. Seagull is no portaging at all, although a larger lake. Alpine is one portage. Red Rock, with the shuttle, is a VERY short portage.

Thank you all for your input!

The EP 64 E. Bearskin idea was actually my #1 choice originally. However, I am limited to a specific day based on our schedules and of course permits are gone for that day.

The Kawishiwi Triangle is another great idea. Never been to that area.

I think I've narrowed down to Lizz/ Swamp or Baker though. I always find it so hard to make this decision. I only get up there about once every other year so I feel like I have to make the perfect choice. When in reality, whatever I choose will end up being the perfect choice.

Thanks Again!

moray: "Lizz/Swamp entry is a great area. Meeds lake is pretty good fishing but I would go to Vista at that time of year. The southern most site is one of the best in the BW in my opinion. "

We stayed at that site a couple weeks ago. We first spied it 15 years ago and said to ourselves "we need to stay at this campsite some day." So we did. It is a nice site, very heavily used... the other two sites on Vista Lake aren't all that great. In fact they are kind of crappy. That said, most of the campsites on Horseshoe are pretty good in their own way and you really can't go wrong. My advice is to keep a mental record of which sites on Horseshoe Lake are open, check out the site on Vista, and if it's taken back track to Horseshoe. I know that's probably more paddling than you want to do but at that time of the year you likely won't be competing for campsites. None of the campsites on Vista Lake can be seen from the portage into Vista from Horseshoe, so you have to get on the water to see if they are open.

Mike