My brother is interested in going along with me to the BW this year, and when we were talking it over the other day he mentioned that he would want to take a cooler along to bring some fish home - assuming we catch enough. Lol

Doing that had never really occurred to me, since I'm more than happy to just eat a few meals of fish while I'm out there and release everything else. I'm not really a big fan of the idea for various reasons - hauling the cooler is extra weight and bulk, have to worry about bears potentially getting at it, making sure the fish stay cold enough, etc.

But before I tell him it's not gonna happen, I figured I'd ask here if anyone has experience doing that. Is it as impractical as I'm imagining, or is it actually doable?

i like to bring home a meal for the wife , a little 6-pack type cooler will work. fill it half way of water put it in the freezer and if you keep it in the shade should last 5 days ? or dry ice too

Catch a couple fish on the way out, fillet them by your truck and bring em home with you in a cooler. I've done it before.

One guy in our group wanted to bring home two fish one trip. Filet them at camp, then in a ziplock baggie. When we get to the outfitter of town fill with ice. Kind of a pain to do though. I never am a fan of this in the BWCA to be honest.

Humbly, it’s an awesome place to fish but not the area to fill a freezer. Tell him that we can stop at the fish market on the way home. Any fish you keep up there impacts the next person’s experiences. Plus the points you made about cooler’s and hassle, it’s not the time for it. I recommend stopping at any public fishing pier on your way up and filling a cooler of bluegill then, more sustainable and replaceable.

I take fish home every trip even in July/August. I pack my cold food in a soft sided cooler. Then pack the fish out in that. Catch what you want to bring home the day before you head out. Throw them in zip lock and then sink it in 40 feet of water or more if possible. Then when you leave the next morning you have cold fillets for the pack out.

ProStaffSteve: "Humbly, it’s an awesome place to fish but not the area to fill a freezer. Tell him that we can stop at the fish market on the way home. Any fish you keep up there impacts the next person’s experiences. Plus the points you made about cooler’s and hassle, it’s not the time for it. I recommend stopping at any public fishing pier on your way up and filling a cooler of bluegill then, more sustainable and replaceable."

Agree, BWCA lakes are very infertile. We should try to maintain a quality fisheries.

scat: "Catch a couple fish on the way out, filet them by your truck and bring em home with you in a cooler. I've done it before."

I can't speak for MN. If you're going to do that in Ontario there are rules about identifying fillets that need need to be observed. I would familiarize myself with them.

Since you're not familiar with me, I don't go to Canada, and I know and follow the rules. Leave a piece of skin on and don't go over the possession limit. Duh

We bring minnows in an air filled bag placed in a smaller soft side cooler. When we get to camp we put the minnows in minnow bucks. We then use this same cooler to haul out fish. We typically clean them the morning we break camp and use 3-6 of the disposable ice packs (break/pop to begin use types) that we get at wal mart. They type that are in first aid kits. Works great.

Morally speaking, I am not opposed to anyone doing it, although I would prefer if people only kept what they could eat while in the wilderness to protect the resource.

I have packed fish out before; I've decided it's really not worth the effort. You either need really good timing (catch all of your fish on the paddle out or the last day) or you need to lug a massive chunk of ice, heavy yeti-style cooler or dry ice in to keep them fresh.

Also, if you don't end up catching fish on that last day/night, you've got to lug an empty cooler out on the last day of your trip.

If you do insist on keeping fish, I would just bring a few extra gallon zip locks and make sure the fish is kept in the water or shade until you get back to town and can buy some ice (probably won't work in July/August, but should any other time of year up here). Fresh fish should last 24+ hours un-refrigerated and be just fine as long as you don't allow them to get above that 50-60 degree mark.

Have I ever done it? Nope, but that’s mostly because eating lake trout fresh from cold water is part of the whole experience I’m after. I wouldn’t even really be excited to pull a frozen bag of lake trout fillets from my freezer. It just wouldn’t feel the same.

I don’t think anyone should have to justify or apologize for keeping fish within their legal limits, ever. The level of difficulty and preparation that is required to pull this off in the BWCA essentially assures that over-harvest for this specific reason (taking fish home after a trip) will probably never be an issue that actually threatens fish populations in the area.

scat: "Since you're not familiar with me, I don't go to Canada, and I know and follow the rules. Leave a piece of skin on and don't go over the possession limit. Duh"

Pleasant as always. Wonder if you ever even try to be kind?

Frenchy - I might have an unpleasant screen name, but I would never consider myself an unpleasant person. I think my response was to the point, gentlemanly and a just response. Argo, from your post I got the feeling you were insinuating that I am depleting Canada of it's valuable resources, or not following the rules somehow. Fact is, I've never been to Canada and I probably never will, which isn't really relevant, but I know the rules anywhere I fish, and of course I'm going to follow them.

On the way out on BW portaging trip, I troll a crankbait, if I catch a few fish, a northern or a walleye, not a sm bass, I'll put it on a stringer or in a plastic bag, hump em back to the truck, put down the tailgate, get out my fillet knife, I have brought a board before, put em in a plastic bag then a cooler, get some ice on the way out and bring em home, why not. It's fun, and you get to eat fish for a couple good meals at home. Why wouldn't I.

On 2 trips to the Island River in May, when I knew I would stay at a campsite or 2 located right in front of a walleye hole, and I humped in minnows and knew I could catch a limit or close a day, I filleted a limit in camp on the last morning, put it in a plastic bag with cold water and brought em home. Totally legal, trust me I didn't deplete the resource, there are plenty of fish to be had in them thar holes, so again, why wouldn't I. I'm not a fish hog, I'm one guy taking home his limit of eater sized walleyes once a year. And the way I see it I earned it, on a solo trip I found the fish, the right way to fish them and caught a bunch, like for 3 days straight. And it rained the first 2 days, and the campsite is in the middle of a burned out forest, wasn't real pretty. But I knew the fish were there because I had intel from a guide in the Ely area, so it was fun to pull that off.

Cheers, scat

I will add, and I'm not trying to instigate or anything, if anybody is taking take more than their fair share of the precious resources every year, it's not lil ole me on 2 trips on the river, it's my buddy who lives and guides out of town and his buddies who slay em, eat em and take home a limit from this area alone 2-3 times a year, and other area lakes as well, BW sometimes or not. And that is their right to enjoy it, and the way I see it, they take pride in it, so it's a good thing.

I think one of the biggest problems we have is that folks seem to think there are two categories, freezer-filling slobs and catch/release conservationist types. The vast majority of anglers don’t fit either of these categories.

Good point, I’m from Illinois, but from what I’ve figured out from who’ve I met and gleaned knowledge from, there are a fair share of walleye fisherman in Mn who pride themselves on catching a limit an outing. It’s being successful at something, I’ve always considered that a good thing, but like you said, these are the guys filling their freezers, not one guy from Chicago who packs out 10 well deserved caught in the wild walleye fillets; don’t see many of those around these parts… or a few sides of northern pike to enjoy later at home. That’s just my perspective, ill leave it there, if it encourages more discussion that’s not a bad thing, or not…. Haha I’m out

It is a healthy discussion, and everyone should weigh the pros and cons and make their own decision.

That said, a lot depends on where or what body of water you fished,each has its own characteristics and ability to produce a healthy fishery.

I will say water like the Kawishiwi river with its extensive and heavy fishing pressure walleye numbers and size have decreased from the past. A walleye in the BWCA at age 4-5 is around 14.4 inches and a pound. Yes, I have eaten plenty of fish in the BWCA and will in the future. Also maybe eat a northern pike in the future and let a lake trout live.

As I said each species is different and each water's capability is different. Fish accordingly. Yes, maybe that 5-pound walleye you let go of a youngster will catch it and be hooked on the BWCA.

I will keep more fish out of the BWCA because the BWCA I just figure a wilderness area should maintain a better quality.

Let's keep it more or less on topic, folks. Debating the ethical and moral pros and cons of keeping vs releasing fish is a can of worms that's probably best not opened on this thread.

scat: "Frenchy - I might have an unpleasant screen name, but I would never consider myself an unpleasant person. I think my response was to the point, gentlemanly and a just response. Argo, from your post I got the feeling you were insinuating that I am depleting Canada of it's valuable resources, or not following the rules somehow. Fact is, I've never been to Canada and I probably never will, which isn't really relevant, but I know the rules anywhere I fish, and of course I'm going to follow them.

On the way out on BW portaging trip, I troll a crankbait, if I catch a few fish, a northern or a walleye, not a sm bass, I'll put it on a stringer or in a plastic bag, hump em back to the truck, put down the tailgate, get out my fillet knife, I have brought a board before, put em in a plastic bag then a cooler, get some ice on the way out and bring em home, why not. It's fun, and you get to eat fish for a couple good meals at home. Why wouldn't I.

On 2 trips to the Island River in May, when I knew I would stay at a campsite or 2 located right in front of a walleye hole, and I humped in minnows and knew I could catch a limit or close a day, I filleted a limit in camp on the last morning, put it in a plastic bag with cold water and brought em home. Totally legal, trust me I didn't deplete the resource, there are plenty of fish to be had in them thar holes, so again, why wouldn't I. I'm not a fish hog, I'm one guy taking home his limit of eater sized walleyes once a year. And the way I see it I earned it, on a solo trip I found the fish, the right way to fish them and caught a bunch, like for 3 days straight. And it rained the first 2 days, and the campsite is in the middle of a burned out forest, wasn't real pretty. But I knew the fish were there because I had intel from a guide in the Ely area, so it was fun to pull that off.


Cheers, scat"

Wow. I was replying to the "duh" at the end, and that's it-and your screen name is one of my favorites.

Frenchy19: "

scat: "Since you're not familiar with me, I don't go to Canada, and I know and follow the rules. Leave a piece of skin on and don't go over the possession limit. Duh"

Pleasant as always. Wonder if you ever even try to be kind? "

Lmao that was my first thought as well, glad I'm not the only one.

I always bring fish home, I don't think twice of it. (as long as I'm lucky enough to catch them).

The state invests a lot of money in put-and-take fisheries for the express purpose of preventing threads like this.

Telco: "The state invests a lot of money in put-and-take fisheries for the express purpose of preventing threads like this. "

There is almost zero stocking of fish in the BWCA. Stocking is almost limited to Stream Trout lakes that are designated as such. Mainly stocked with brook trout or splake. Maybe one or two lakes with rainbow. There may be zero walleye stockings as of now.

It's a healthy thread and nothing else gets people thinking. What people choose is up to them.

NEiowapaddler, My wife loves walleye, and since we live in Central Missouri its not a species easily available. I will often keep a single walleye on my last day of a trip, keep it cool by methods mentioned already and fry it for her my first evening home. I think it adds to my wilderness experience by sharing a little of the area with my wife on my return home, discussing the catch and the trip while she enjoys her two fillets.

In regards to the rest of the thread, several interesting comments. One thing that I rarely see mentioned in these threads is the fact that if you spend 8 hours a day successfully fishing, you will "hard hook" enough fish to provide a meal every evening. Even with single hooks and barbless. I suspect that the bulk of participants on this page are worried enough about these fragile wilderness areas to follow the rules. If we follow the rules I have confidence these areas will be around for generations.

DougD: "NEiowapaddler, My wife loves walleye, and since we live in Central Missouri its not a species easily available. I will often keep a single walleye on my last day of a trip, keep it cool by methods mentioned already and fry it for her my first evening home. I think it adds to my wilderness experience by sharing a little of the area with my wife on my return home, discussing the catch and the trip while she enjoys her two fillets.


In regards to the rest of the thread, several interesting comments. One thing that I rarely see mentioned in these threads is the fact that if you spend 8 hours a day successfully fishing, you will "hard hook" enough fish to provide a meal every evening. Even with single hooks and barbless. I suspect that the bulk of participants on this page are worried enough about these fragile wilderness areas to follow the rules. If we follow the rules I have confidence these areas will be around for generations."

I like what you're thinking, just bringing enough home for your wife to experience the wilderness experience. She too then enjoys your great time.

If you are at all interested in bringing home fish, leave a cooler in the car. If the car got hot in the sun, you can rinse the cooler off in the lake to cool it down then pick up ice on the way home.

We've done it before, but only with a fish or two. It really only becomes a factor for us on trips where someone hadn't caught a fish yet and wanted to fish on the way out.

If he wants to bring fish home, AND bring in buns and condiments for the hot dogs, you might consider faking an injury to avoid the trip.

A1t2o: "If you are at all interested in bringing home fish, leave a cooler in the car. If the car got hot in the sun, you can rinse the cooler off in the lake to cool it down then pick up ice on the way home.


We've done it before, but only with a fish or two. It really only becomes a factor for us on trips where someone hadn't caught a fish yet and wanted to fish on the way out."

That's not a bad idea. I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm just not a fan of the idea of hauling a cooler along. It doesn't fit with the wilderness-type experience I'm looking for.

I personally would never haul a cooler in just to keep some fish.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve brought fish home, it just not my plan.

Catch fish all the time on the last day or on the way out.

I’d never haul a cooler though. Wouldn’t be mad if ya did, but seems like a waste of time and energy.

T

By the time you bring it home it’s not very fresh anymore and fairly equivalent to what you could buy at the store. Not worth the time and effort if you ask me, but your mileage may vary.

Good luck!

scat: "...Argo, from your post I got the feeling you were insinuating that I am depleting Canada of it's valuable resources, or not following the rules somehow. Fact is, I've never been to Canada and I probably never will, which isn't really relevant, but I know the rules anywhere I fish, and of course I'm going to follow them.

Cheers, scat"

I'm not implying anything.

Someone advised filleting your catch and transporting them. If you do that in ON without preserving the skins for ID purposes and get pinched by a CO, you risk penalties. That is all. You may know the rules. Others may not.

Apart from that, if this sort of thing floats your boat in Ontario, Minnesota or Timbuktu, then fill your boots. No moral or value judgements implied.

On past group trips, we would almost always bring home a laker for our after trip gathering once photos were developed. At the time, we'd scale, gut, gill and simply keep it cool until we had access to a bag of ice and a big cooler. At the border, we would declare when asked but no one ever cared enough about a fish to actually open the cooler much less actually scrutinize the legality of the fish.

A1t2o: "...on trips where someone hadn't caught a fish yet and wanted to fish on the way out."

Ouch! That would be not so good of a trip, IMO.

My group goes in May, and if we are lucky, locate some ice along the route. Makes all kinds of things possible- keeping food cold, whisky on rocks with pine needles, and even bringing home walleye fillets(one time).

Not sure the regs on ice…….

peteb: "My group goes in May, and if we are lucky, locate some ice along the route. Makes all kinds of things possible- keeping food cold, whisky on rocks with pine needles, and even bringing home walleye fillets(one time).


Not sure the regs on ice……."

Seems ludicrous but I believe the law would say you can’t transport ice away from a lake in MN. You can’t take a bucket of water so I can’t see why ice would be any different. But if you’re staying on one lake you could definitely use it to keep your fillets cold while on that lake.

I brought home fish one time when I did a cabin trip. Even with ice/frozen solid, it just wasn't the same. Everyone at home thought it was great, but not like being there. After that, I decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Obviously it changes if you live closer than I do.

JohnGalt: "

Frenchy19: "

scat: "Since you're not familiar with me, I don't go to Canada, and I know and follow the rules. Leave a piece of skin on and don't go over the possession limit. Duh"

Pleasant as always. Wonder if you ever even try to be kind? "

Lmao that was my first thought as well, glad I'm not the only one."

+1 Me too.

thegildedgopher: "

peteb: "My group goes in May, and if we are lucky, locate some ice along the route. Makes all kinds of things possible- keeping food cold, whisky on rocks with pine needles, and even bringing home walleye fillets(one time).



Not sure the regs on ice……."

Seems ludicrous but I believe the law would say you can’t transport ice away from a lake in MN. You can’t take a bucket of water so I can’t see why ice would be any different. But if you’re staying on one lake you could definitely use it to keep your fillets cold while on that lake."

Wow! I always say- I don’t always follow the rules, but I always follow the fishing rules. That said, never occurred to me harvesting ice would be subject to punishment!! I’d actually love to get a ticket for that.

Seriously though- we have on several occasions spotted ice along the shoreline/hill sides, as I’m sure many others have. It really is a bonus and creates all kinds of BW luxuries.

Sorry to sidetrack the thread! It’s a good one.

Pete

peteb: "

thegildedgopher: "

peteb: "My group goes in May, and if we are lucky, locate some ice along the route. Makes all kinds of things possible- keeping food cold, whisky on rocks with pine needles, and even bringing home walleye fillets(one time).



Not sure the regs on ice……."

Seems ludicrous but I believe the law would say you can’t transport ice away from a lake in MN. You can’t take a bucket of water so I can’t see why ice would be any different. But if you’re staying on one lake you could definitely use it to keep your fillets cold while on that lake."

Wow! I always say- I don’t always follow the rules, but I always follow the fishing rules. That said, never occurred to me harvesting ice would be subject to punishment!! I’d actually love to get a ticket for that.


Seriously though- we have on several occasions spotted ice along the shoreline/hill sides, as I’m sure many others have. It really is a bonus and creates all kinds of BW luxuries.


Sorry to sidetrack the thread! It’s a good one.


Pete"

I think you and I have pretty similar philosophy on “rules.”

Ice harvested from a shaded hillside would not be subject to the AIS laws. Only ice that is actually lake water.

I wonder what the odds would be of actually getting ticketed for having a couple chunks of ice in a cooler to keep fish cold. I can see it if you have a canoe full of ice for...whatever reason, but a small quantity seems incredibly trivial.

I am not afraid to keep a fish or two per person per day to eat while there, but I, personally, have never considered bringing fish home with me. It really isnt portaging them out, its more out of respect to the BWCA. We all know to "leave no trace" and part of that for me is not bringing my limit of fish back. Fish (I believe?) arent stocked and they grow very slow up there. C&R when able is advised. Not everyone has access to a boat or able to go out and catch some fish of their own when not at the BWCA, and I get that.

Theres a certain somebody on youtube that likes to take pics of 50+ dead walleyes strung out over a canoe with a group of dudes posing over them. It's pretty clear everyone in that group portages their limit of 6 out. That one grinds my gears anytime I stumble upon it.

I'm just glad that times are changing somewhat since days past.
My first trip to the BW was a school trip in 1980, we stayed at the Gunflint lodge first night, I went down to the dock and a couple gentlemen were returning from North Lake in a boat.
They had a 9, 10, and 11 lb walleye on a stringer.
They said they released a bunch more because they were too small.
Yep, they were trying their best to go home with a dozen 30"ers for their stay.

ForestDuff: "I'm just glad that times are changing somewhat since days past.
My first trip to the BW was a school trip in 1980, we stayed at the Gunflint lodge first night, I went down to the dock and a couple gentlemen were returning from North Lake in a boat.
They had a 9, 10, and 11 lb walleye on a stringer.
They said they released a bunch more because they were too small.
Yep, they were trying their best to go home with a dozen 30"ers for their stay."

That is so depressing. Back then they didnt know any better. Nowadays its just selfish + careless.