BWCA Entry point 23 Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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SFuksa
Guest Paddler
  
10/05/2022 03:19PM  
Just wanted to check with someone with experience. I'm from Oklahoma and took my first trip to the BWCA early June 2022. My twin 14 year olds and I absolutely loved it. Fishing was great. The folks in Ely were awesome. We want to go back to jackfish bay one more time before we try a harder route.

We entered EP24 at Fall Lake and paddled 10.5 miles to the island campsite (very nice, good fishing).

My question is, it looks like EP23 is a lot closer to enter, but is it a good route in June? I would hate to risk a trip over a few miles of paddling. Any thoughts?
Also we are fishing addicts so any other ideas for our next loop will be welcome.

Thank you in advance.
 
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cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/05/2022 07:08PM  
Congrats on the addiction.

Yes, 22/23 is much closer as the crow flies. The few portages between the parking area and Jackfish Bay are pretty easy. One in the middle is a steady up and over and down but nothing outrageous, just gets the blood pumping a bit.

Pickett creek between the entry and the actual Mudro is a nice little stream, especially in spring when there's likely ample water levels to not drag in spots.

I've put in at 22/23 and ate lunch north of the no-motor line of Jackfish Bay. As long as there's no wind out of the northeast which is pretty rare....you're good.
Sfuksa
Guest Paddler
  
10/05/2022 08:41PM  
Thank you. I’m going to try that route next year
KawnipiKid
distinguished member (191)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/06/2022 08:53AM  
Great to hear you and your boys had such a good first trip. Permits for Mudro 22 and 23 can go pretty fast. All permits for 2023 (May 1 to September 30) become available as of a date in late January. I don't think the date has been announced yet but last year was January 26, the fourth Wednesday. Assuming the FS doesn't change that system, Wednesday, 1/25/23 would be my bet for '23. Happy and safe travels. You and your boys will never forget these trips.
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/06/2022 07:12PM  
And I'll 2nd those comments. Mudro is a VERY popular entry but not many take the route you're looking at so don't shy away from it. But that said, they do go FAST on the opening day in January when opening online. Of course people cancel as the weeks and months go by but then you're checking the site every day and taking the random date that's open.

And since you don't be staying on or even seeing Horse Lake, for you a #22 entry permit is as good as #23. So you have more options than someone that NEEDS a 23 since they plan on camping @ Horse.
Northwoodsman
distinguished member(2059)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/06/2022 09:29PM  
Permits should go on sale at 9:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
Sfuksa
Guest Paddler
  
10/08/2022 08:54PM  
Thank all of you for helping me out. Permits are the reason I had to enter at 24 last year. I was not aware of the permit process until to late. I have a reminder in my phone for January 25th. Hopefully I get one. If not, it sure is a beautiful paddle trip from 24 to jackfish.
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/09/2022 07:40PM  
Even if you don't get one, people will cancel anytime after the Jan opening day. Of course it's luck if you happen to check the site when one has been re-opened
Sfuksa
Guest Paddler
  
10/09/2022 10:07PM  
Yes sir. I will be on the lookout. As far as fishing (please understand I’m from Oklahoma and fish differently) in the BWCA we had great luck on leeches on a slip bobber in the evening (simple) for walleye and Zera Spooks for violent action on pike (holy smokes they are impressive in the morning) Is there more I can bring/add to help fishing tactics for all day? (Midday June) I read about trolling but have never done it in a canoe. Here we troll with deep divers and the motor running. Up there It seems you troll jig heads with leaches or grubs? Any techniques would help.
Sorry if I’m crossing the line in subjects. Trip planning to fishing
10/10/2022 04:08AM  
Welcome... I hope you’ll join this group. Between good people and all they have to offer... you can’t go wrong!
The comment on permit for say people that need one for access to Horse... mainly look that you get one that isn’t Horse Lake specific. But being the fisherman you are... put two and two together... because of this, you know there is good fishing on that lake...
10/10/2022 07:26AM  
Sfuksa : "I read about trolling but have never done it in a canoe. Here we troll with deep divers and the motor running. Up there It seems you troll jig heads with leaches or grubs? Any techniques would help. "


Trolling a shad rap (I like the SR9 size) or a Rapala Taildancer depending on depth is one of my favorite BW fishing methods until I can find fish or establish a pattern. Your trolling methods from home will work just fine here.
10/10/2022 06:58PM  
Hey Sfuksa - fellow Okie here from Edmond with the same BWCA bug! My son, who just turned 14, and I have been lucky enough to get in 3 trips since July 2021.

Sorry, but no experience with EP 23. We have been on trips along Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais.

On the fishing, we are still learning, but have had success trolling spoons and various Rapalas. Have caught all 4 species trolling. Attached is a photo of the lures that produced for us. Description is below:

2/5oz Little Cleo (Fire tiger)
3/4oz Little Cleo (Blue/Silver)

Rapala BX Jointed Minnow 9 (Perch and Fire Tiger)

Rapala Shad Rap 8 (Fire Tiger and Silver)
Unknown Rapala (Blue/Silver)

Scatter Rap Shad 7
Scatter Rap 5
Rapala X-Rap 4

While you don’t need one to troll, the Scotty Rod holders come in handy and work great! Just remember to take care on those portages if you leave them attached.

You should join the group here! Great source of information and help! Also, the folks I have met through the site (Northwoodsman and Preacher Dave) are even better in person!!

Take care and enjoy the planning!! We need something else to focus on other than the football coming out of Norman!
timf1981
distinguished member (104)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/10/2022 08:22PM  
If you come again in June. Try topwater smallmouth bass fishing with
A Rebel teeny pop R.
Ease yourself down the shoreline casting as close to share as possible.
If you are not occasionally getting your lure stuck on shore. Then you are not getting close enough. Hit every Boulder, pocket , point. Cast it in and let it sit
3 or 4 seconds. Then give it a little twitch or pop. Keep working it slow until you get into deeper water. The smallies are spawning and protecting their nests.
Go barbless hooks and release all big females.
Get up vary early. Much before sunrise so you can fish in low light and calm waters.
Even small ripples and direct sunlight will slow down the bite.
Stick to the shade. Go in and eat breakfast at 10am. Then head back out about 4 hours before sunset and fish until dark. You will get hits during the day.
Yes. My brother and I are hooked on this type of fishing.
There are at least 13 different ways bass can hit a topwater lure.
Most of the waters in bwca are stained brown and its rare to even see a nest.

Quetico Park is on the Canadian side of the bwca.
More expensive, much less congestion. Same great fishing
Get your boys hooked now. So they can take you in your older days.
Good luck
Sfuksa
member (8)member
  
10/11/2022 07:23PM  
Thank you all for the great information. I did join up and hope to learn a lot more from everyone.
Sfuksa
member (8)member
  
10/11/2022 07:31PM  
Fishman53,

It’s good to see a fellow Okie on here. I figured I was the only person crazy enough to drive over 15 hours to go fishing. My 2 boys are also 14. We should get together sometime and swap stories/gear preferences/fishing tactics and plan next trips. Keep our mind busy in the winter.

cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/11/2022 07:46PM  
Join (for free) so you get a real username and use an email that is real so if people want to send you maps or anything else they can.

That said, use the search button and look for things like "what is in your tackle box" and there will be posts and pictures of exactly what people pack.
10/12/2022 08:39AM  
SFuska - the envelope icon under my username contains email address. Feel free to shoot me an email on getting together. I have to believe we have other Okies out there as well.

There is a discussion under Listening Point which asks “how far you travel to BWCA.” The BW attracts them from all over!
11/11/2022 02:44PM  
Sfuksa: "Fishman53,
It’s good to see a fellow Okie on here. I figured I was the only person crazy enough to drive over 15 hours to go fishing.
"


I guess my drive is shorter than you and Fishman53, I start in Owasso, OK!

JD
 
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