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adam
Moderator
  
05/22/2023 08:29AM  
Post your bug, bear, and moose reports when you get back from a trip or are in the area.
 
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jwmiller39
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05/22/2023 08:58AM  
seems like the first hatch is going on as we speak in the Duluth area
KjerJoy
member (8)member
  
05/22/2023 09:14AM  
Just came out Saturday at EP 37 (Kawishiwi) and we had virtually no bugs. A couple mosquitos here and there, but nothing major yet.
Bunt021
  
05/22/2023 02:41PM  
Exited from EP 47 on Sunday 5/21. Tiny black flies and a handful of slow moving skeeters came out on Sunday morning.
JWilder
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05/28/2023 11:54AM  
Exited ep 30 yesterday. Black flies have joined forces with the mosquitoes.

They are a welcoming bunch…

JW
AlexanderSupertramp
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05/28/2023 12:50PM  
Came out Friday from EP 37, virtually zero bugs until Friday at about noon. Was like a light switch. Skipped the last night I had planned on Kawishiwi because they were so bad. Ate lunch at a campsite then packed it up and headed home. On a positive note, not a single wood tick on myself or the dog the whole trip.
05/28/2023 02:25PM  
It was like going from mid May to early July overnight with the hatch on Upper Gunflint last Friday. The gangs all here except for Deer Flies.
Same story being reported elsewhere in Northern Minnesota.
Several Groups curtailed their trips and I felt bad for them.
OMGitsKa
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05/29/2023 06:29PM  
Came out of the Gunflint (EP51) on Saturday. Bugs started to come out on Thursday and by Saturday on the exit they were getting pretty pesky. Its started I would say.
pastorjsackett
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05/29/2023 09:42PM  
Quote from our Ely contact where we'll be staying Friday night before our trip:

"It's been really warm. Water levels are just about back to normal. The bugs are horrendous."
05/30/2023 07:32AM  
Memorial Weekend - just south of Ely;

Mosquito's and gnats/sadnflies - mostly gnats, mosquito's were tolerable. Gnats were thick.

By Monday - they had subsided to more tolerable levels.
05/30/2023 01:19PM  
Sawbill to Phoebe Memorial day weekend. Black flies were abundant. Mosquitos weren't bad at our campsite, but some portages (particularly those between Phoebe and Grace) were terrible. Head nets and bug spray were required at times.
ltkenbo
  
05/31/2023 02:48PM  
I just returned from a 4 night trip with a friend and his son and we did see a bear at our campsite, twice actually. We entered Mudro Lake (22) and camped up on Gun Lake at site #1085. There was nobody we saw on the entire lake, it was an awesome trip.

On Tuesday 05/23/2023 at around 11 AM, we were eating a late breakfast and talking around the fire grate when all of a sudden by buddy said "There's a bear right there!" About 15 - 20 feet from us at the treeline there was a bear. We immediately got up an started yelling and making a bunch of noise. My friend grabbed his bear spray and we kept yelling. The bear didn't really seem to care, but just kind of wandered away back up into the woods. We headed towards that direction a bit and threw rocks and kept making noise. Our food pack was down at the time and we had just eaten bacon lol.

Two days later on Thursday 05/25/2023, we saw another bear, though a bit further away from us this time. We yelled the same and made a bunch of noise, and same response, bear just kind of wandered away. There were no sightings beyond that. I've also reported the sighting here:
Link to Map

Might have been the same bear, maybe this is his normal trail, not sure.

As far as bugs go, on that campsite since we had a lot of wind and they weren't bad. Mostly those annoying gnat things, very few mosquitos or flies. Our last night we camped on Fourtown on the campsite (1110) that has the old car, and there were some mosquitos and flies there, though not terrible still.
Shoveler
member (6)member
  
05/31/2023 08:20PM  
Just returned on 5/31 from a few nights of base camping on Alder lake (from East Bearskin EP 64). While we didn't have any issues with bears during our trip, we did talk to a group that was portaging into Canoe lake and who had been camping at one of the sites on the north shore of Alder. They said that they had a very persistent bear come into their camp 3 different times during the day and another 2 more times that night, and that they were moving to try to find a site on a different lake. There is also a notice posted at the East Bearskin access dated 9/22 warning of numerous bear problems on Alder, Canoe, Crystal, Caribou, Moon, Deer, etc. Just a heads up for anyone planning a trip there to keep a clean camp and a well secured food pack since it seems that the problem bear (or bears) from last year are still around.
YardstickAngler
senior member (84)senior membersenior member
  
06/01/2023 05:00AM  
Was tripping 5/21-27, Sawbill area. Bugs very minimal first 4 days, noticeably hatching on day 5, and definitely a nuisance day 6 and 7. Black flies in particular. Only had to use my headnet at sunrise for a short time, bug spray helpful but not an absolute must. But they were coming on strong.
nooneuno
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06/02/2023 07:00PM  
We came out of Hog Creek on 5/30 bugs were hella bad wish I would have brought my suit of armor instead of just long sleeves and a headnet...
06/02/2023 08:45PM  
Pulled out of the Kawish area today two days earlier than planned. Hotter than hell, and the worst mosquitoes I have seen in 30 years of tripping. In Tofte now after a long day from Fishdance to Kawishiwi.
AluminumBarge
member (48)member
  
06/02/2023 09:52PM  
Came out yesterday, June 1. We were on Iron Lake for 5 days. The bugs were atrocious. The only thing that made it tolerable was the screen shelter I brought. It would have been impossible to cook or eat outside of the tent without it. The last two days the deer flies started to emerge but weren’t too bad yet. Once on the lake there weren’t many bugs though. Sat inside the screen shelter each night and you could just hear the hummmmmmm. They are really bad this year.
Peregrine
member (9)member
  
06/02/2023 11:48PM  
My son and I entered East Bearskin 5/29 and exited from East Bearskin today, 6/2. Blackflies and mosquitos were bad early morning and evening as expected for June. Nemo bug tent saved the day again. I think Shoveler's post above referred to us regarding the bear trouble on Alder. The bear was very persistent and in camp 3 times during the day. We chased and threw rocks and it moved off but not frightened. Came through twice during the night as well but everything was tucked away except for bug tent and water jug, both suffered damage. We moved on to another lake. Still a great trip. Fishing was great. Scenery was awesome. Company was awesome.
gravelroad
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06/03/2023 10:04AM  
AluminumBarge: "Came out yesterday, June 1. We were on Iron Lake for 5 days. The bugs were atrocious. The only thing that made it tolerable was the screen shelter I brought. I would have been impossible to cook or eat outside of the tent without it. The last two days the deer flies started to emerge but weren’t too bad yet. Once on the lake there weren’t many bugs though. Sat inside the screen shelter each night and you could just hear the hummmmmmm. They are really bad this year."


My father and uncle were camped on Mountain one late May evening and were surprised to hear a pre-ban motor coming down the lake. ‘Twas the hummmmmm, not a motor …
Kaparzo
member (30)member
  
06/04/2023 07:06AM  
EP 26 - Wood Lake May 26-29. I have done a Memorial weekend trip ~15 times. This was the worst I’ve seen mosquitos. You could hear lots of humming around shore. Flies were minimal and encountered a few ticks per person. Adventure pants worked well to stop mosquitos but still stay cool when 80 degrees out. Bug head nets saved the trip for the kids. I regret not treating my clothes with permethrin or bringing thermacells.
06/04/2023 09:50AM  


















I saw a Moose on The Gunflint Trail near Cross River on May 13th.

The heat and humidity was intense in late May/Early June. High 80’s. The tent became a Sweat Lodge and the swarms of Mosquitos on the mesh stood mesmerized watching me. It was a suffer fest and it became comical as a character building exercise. It’s fun to think about now that I’m at the air conditioned Harbor of Grand Marais at 43 degrees.
Noslen
senior member (80)senior membersenior member
  
06/05/2023 06:05AM  
Exited 3 Jun, Tak, Gun, the smaller lakes south of LLC. Some mosquitos sunrise and sunset, but sometimes didn't use DEET until 2130 or later and didn't bother on most portages. Not bad at all. Our tow driver picked us up with full upper body netting, with a bunch of guys from Quetico trip. They said it was horrible MacRee and north. Local conditions I guess.
BrendaRMyren
  
06/05/2023 10:08AM  
Round trip from Duncan to Clearwater May 23-31.

It froze the first night but by about day 3-4 it had warmed up and brought with it clouds of mosquitoes along the shorelines. By the end of the trip the bugs were getting annoying and increasing daily, but weren't bad yet. No ticks. I would guess the flies and mosquitoes are in full force now based on how quickly they were increasing during our trip.

No bear sign whatsoever, one old moose pile, and lots and lots of wolf tracks and large piles of deer- hair filled scat, especially on the Rose to Rove trek.
minnesotashooter
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06/07/2023 03:13PM  
Spent 3 nights on Crocodile Lake. Mosquitoes were horrible on the portage from East Bearskin to Crocodile but in camp on Crocodile the bugs weren't horrible. No ticks, only mosquitoes. Headnets and bug spray were absolute necessities.
minnesotashooter
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06/07/2023 03:22PM  
Peregrine: "My son and I entered East Bearskin 5/29 and exited from East Bearskin today, 6/2. Blackflies and mosquitos were bad early morning and evening as expected for June. Nemo bug tent saved the day again. I think Shoveler's post above referred to us regarding the bear trouble on Alder. The bear was very persistent and in camp 3 times during the day. We chased and threw rocks and it moved off but not frightened. Came through twice during the night as well but everything was tucked away except for bug tent and water jug, both suffered damage. We moved on to another lake. Still a great trip. Fishing was great. Scenery was awesome. Company was awesome."


As of June 6, the East Bearskin entry point for EP64 and 66 had bear warnings for Moon, Alder, Canoe and that area
MikeinMpls
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06/08/2023 04:52PM  
minnesotashooter: "
Peregrine: "My son and I entered East Bearskin 5/29 and exited from East Bearskin today, 6/2. Blackflies and mosquitos were bad early morning and evening as expected for June. Nemo bug tent saved the day again. I think Shoveler's post above referred to us regarding the bear trouble on Alder. The bear was very persistent and in camp 3 times during the day. We chased and threw rocks and it moved off but not frightened. Came through twice during the night as well but everything was tucked away except for bug tent and water jug, both suffered damage. We moved on to another lake. Still a great trip. Fishing was great. Scenery was awesome. Company was awesome."



As of June 6, the East Bearskin entry point for EP64 and 66 had bear warnings for Moon, Alder, Canoe and that area"


May 25ish- there was a bear on the portage between Clearwater and West Pike. Dragged away a friend's pack. We were camped close, but did not encounter the bear.

Mike
06/08/2023 05:24PM  
Frenchy19: "Pulled out of the Kawish area today two days earlier than planned. Hotter than hell, and the worst mosquitoes I have seen in 30 years of tripping. In Tofte now after a long day from Fishdance to Kawishiwi."


We were in 5/24 to 6/2 (Cache Bay) and I'd say the same. Too hot to sleep, felt like we were roasted for a feast during the day. Which was accurate. Black flies, Mosquitoes, Ankle Biters, and by the end Deer and Horse flies were all enjoying our basted bodies.
06/08/2023 07:21PM  
Cross Bay to Brant Lake via Frost River, June 2 - 6. Mosquitos were thick on portages and when not on the lakefront at the campsites. My bug net and bug dope made it all tolerable.

Saw a moose at about 12:45 p.m. on June 3 in Octopus Lake. She was neck deep in the water, eating. After a while, she had enough of me as an audience and wandered away.
06/13/2023 01:00PM  
East Bearskin to Alder/Canoe/Pierz June 8th-12th. Busy weekend, lots of folks on Alder. Brutus, the local habituated bear made no appearance at our site on Pierz but the mosquitoes were in full force dawn and dusk and away from open areas.
06/13/2023 04:33PM  
Entered Moose on 5/30 and went to SAK. Camped at 1430. Mosquitos appeared to have hatched evening of 5/29. They were thick at times. Portages were rough. Particularly the portage to Sema.

We first stopped at camp 1431 but left after about 5 minutes. Mosquitos were intense and there was zero chance of a breeze at that camp for relief. We picked 1430 because of a nice open rock in front of camp that caught the breeze most of the time were were there making it bearable.

On 6/4, while fishing near camp 1434, we saw a momma bear cross the channel from north to south with two cubs. Momma browsed on vegetation along the shore of the big island. Our camp was about a half mile away as the crow flies with some cliffs in between. No sign of the bear at our camp. Seems like it could get to 1433 fairly easily.
06/13/2023 06:12PM  
CoachBigD: "Entered Moose on 5/30 and went to SAK. Camped at 1430. Mosquitos appeared to have hatched evening of 5/29. They were thick at times. Portages were rough. Particularly the portage to Sema.


We first stopped at camp 1431 but left after about 5 minutes. Mosquitos were intense and there was zero chance of a breeze at that camp for relief. We picked 1430 because of a nice open rock in front of camp that caught the breeze most of the time were were there making it bearable.

On 6/4, while fishing near camp 1434, we saw a momma bear cross the channel from north to south with two cubs. Momma browsed on vegetation along the shore of the big island. Our camp was about a half mile away as the crow flies with some cliffs in between. No sign of the bear at our camp. Seems like it could get to 1433 fairly easily."



Link to map
pleflar
member (46)member
  
06/14/2023 04:06PM  
Out from Snowbank on the 5th, traveled to Adams via Alice and Fishdance and back through Fraser. Bugs were bad everywhere all day long. Some of the portages, Snowbank-Disappointment in particular, were absolutely swarming. On the way back to Snowbank on the 12th the only exposed flesh was the finger tips and they were doing their best to bite us there.
06/15/2023 09:47AM  
Entered on Snowbank on Sunday. Skeets were insane on the portages. Camped on Disappointment (NE 1381) and needed very little deet unless you went into the woods. Came out the same route yesterday and the skeets were just as bad on the portages.
beanpole
member (48)member
  
06/15/2023 07:16PM  
Entered on Lizz on June 5, spent 5 days in a loop exiting on Skipper June 9.
Day 1 camp on Winchell - mosquitoes day & night - no reprieve
Day 2 camp on Long Island - mosquitoes day & night - no reprieve
Day 3 camp on Banadad - mosquitoes early day, most of the day and into the night
Day 4 camp on Rush - mosquitoes early and late and in by the trees where there was no wind
Day 5 exit - mosquitoes were bad on portages but not so bad on the lake

Aside from birds, chipmunks and snakes, we saw no wildlife until we were leaving the gunflint trail where we saw a bear off the side of the road.
06/16/2023 06:59AM  
In thru EP 51, Missing Link, on Monday June 5th. Out thru same EP on Sunday June 11th. Mosquitos were plentiful on all portages. Early AM and late evening, they came out to snack at camp on Snipe. Flies were not an issue. Put it in perspective, we never wore a bug net all week - last year, bug nets were mandatory all day, including out fishing on lakes. No bears - but keeping a clean camp and hanging food properly is necessary.
TuscaroraBorealis
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06/17/2023 12:01PM  
Just got back from Malberg Lake...

Mosquitos of Biblical plague proportions throughout the week.

My brother & nephew seen a black bear near the west end of the lake. We had no problems (with bears), nor did anyone we spoke to.
iCallitMaize
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06/17/2023 03:55PM  
TuscaroraBorealis: "Just got back from Malberg Lake...


Mosquitos of Biblical plague proportions throughout the week.


My brother & nephew seen a black bear near the west end of the lake. We had no problems (with bears), nor did anyone we spoke to."



“Biblical”

Hahahahaha

Always good to think about the book of Exodus right before one enters the BWCA. It’s so uplifting. Mosquitoes better than locust I suppose.
06/17/2023 06:03PM  
Entered Lizz on Monday 6/12. Spent 3 nights on Gaskin. Bugs annoying on portages but not bad in camp. Wind kept them down, a little heavier at dusk and dawn. Saw a momma moose with 2 little ones swim across a bay on Tuesday. Spent Thursday and Friday nights on Caribou. Bugs were same,bad on portages but manageable in camp. Had 2 foxes come into camp on Friday night and had a very vocal beaver swim out front of camp for half an hour. Never heard a beaver make noise besides a tail slap.
Lukersota
member (6)member
  
06/21/2023 06:20PM  
Moose River North EP 16- June 15th-19th
Bugs were pretty bad on Agnes and Nina Moose- Many points it became so bad it was unbearable.
We didn't have any bears at either our our camps on Nina Moose or Agnes but someone we talked to on the Moose River said they had a bear at their camp on the South West side of Agnes.
JC007
member (23)member
  
06/22/2023 11:20AM  
EP 23 Mudro - trek to Beartrap and back - May 31 - Jun 7.

Mosquitoes are in force! Epic amounts in the shade and during hot, humid conditions. Expect them to swarm you as soon as you exit the car until you get back!

Next - Flies of all kinds - house, black, deer, horse, etc. When the mosquitoes were not at you, the flies were. The no see-ums were just starting to come out at the end of our trip.

Wore a head net most of the time and used some deet and citronella oil spray to protect hands and ankles in canoe.

Some relief during dry spell and out on the lakes with light winds.

Despite the battle - the experience is always worth it.

Heard many had success with permethrin clothing treatment - I did not use that and wish I had at least on my socks to protect my ankles in the canoe.
06/22/2023 02:08PM  
June 18th - 21st (Kelso area)

After 9pm the mosquitoes were the worst I have ever seen. And incredibly loud. Brought a cheap screen tent so we could stay out but if we didn't have that... I think bed time would have been at 9pm.

During the day there weren't many mosquitoes at camp but still horrendous in the woods/latrine.

Flies of all kinds. Horse flies, Stable flies, Black flies, and the worst was tons of Deer flies. Actually regarding the flies, my experience was near identical to JC007. No see-ums were also there but not many.

Headnets, 40% deet, pants, and a screen tent was our bug prevention.
06/22/2023 11:19PM  
June 19-22 Wood Lake

Not nearly as bad as I had feared it would be from reports.

Mosquitoes were there on the portage but not terrible. . I didn’t need my bug net , but my daughter did. In camp they weren’t bad at all. We were on a south facing point with a south wind blowing at all times so that helped. But they weren’t bad back by the latrine either. The only time we used bug spray was for portaging. No bug screen at camp and the thermacell stayed in the pack.

All sorts of flies were flying around when we were out fishing and the only time they were in camp was right when we got done swimming.

We didn’t see any bears but 2 guys on the portage said one crossed the portage less than a minute before we crossed paths with them
SouthernExposure
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06/25/2023 03:09PM  
My daughter and I had to change our plans at the last minute due to the Spice Lake Fire so we headed north out of Alpine and base camped on Red Rock Lake from 6/16 through 6/22. Our site had a nice breezy west facing rock area but we had real bad mosquito and black fly problems. Fortunately we had heeded the reports of bug populations and we both had mosquito head nets and wound up using 2.5 cans of repellant. The mosquitos were murderous on the postages in particular.
iwegean
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06/25/2023 05:43PM  
Spent last week on Lac la Croix, Boulder Bay Bay. Bugs were all present, not unbearable and mosquitos were controlled with normal repellants. By midweek we were getting reports of bear activity on Agnes. Thursday evening, a group was chased off a site on Iron Lake and reported all sites between Bottle portage and Boulder Bay were occupied. We offered them sanctuary for two nights. No bear activity on Lac la Croix.
SouthernExposure
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06/26/2023 12:14PM  
Spent last week on Red Rock Lake after our original trip was shut down due to the Spice Lake fire. The Satanic mosquitos and black flies must have fled Ogishkemuncie and SAK and settled on our campsite and brother, they were hungry. Two of us went through 2.5 cans of 35% deet repellant and lived in a bug headnet. No bears.
06/27/2023 12:12PM  
We spent last week in the Gabbro Lake area. The bugs were surprisingly manageable. The horse flies were the only pests during the daytime hours. Along portages and at dusk the mosquitos were out in force but that is to be expected. Other than early morning or in the evening we did not need to use bug spray most of the trip. The wind blowing through our campsite surely helped keep them away as well.
scottiebaldwin
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07/04/2023 04:28AM  
Today is July 3, 2023. Just came out of EP49, Skipper. I was there for the past few days. I stayed on the less desirable island site on Banadad. The whole trip there wasn’t a single mosquito! Even on the long 320 rod portage. I couldn’t believe it! Also, there was a moose on the Little Rush side of the Rush to Little Rush portage.

Jefflynn06
member (26)member
  
07/05/2023 12:05PM  
Spent 4 days on Snipe Lake (missing link entry point) from June 29th-July 2nd. The mosquitos were terrible on Wednesday night when I arrived at White Pine Lodge (my stay the night before) and based on that along with prior reports on this site, I was dreading the worst once I entered the BWCA. My fears were unfounded! There were some mosquitos on the two portages between Round and Snipe, a few mosquitoes in the mornings, a few flies for about an hour one day, but that was the extent of bugs for 4 days. Besides those, almost none. Saw more dragonflies than I did other bugs. I stayed at the eastern-most camp site on Snipe which is on a point. It provided some nice breezes but I also had quite a bit of time with complete calm. I did spray my outer clothing and tent with Permethrin beforehand. Used bug spray on the first two portages, on my ankles when the flies were out, and then maybe once or twice more. Least amount of bugs I've encountered in over 15 years of BWCA trips.
newbie2021
member (7)member
  
07/07/2023 01:27PM  
On our way out on 7/5/23 - after the last portage from Fourtown into Mudro, I was watching my footing and not looking up. A bear saw me before I saw him. He jumped into water, ran across the stream and up the other side. It happened so quickly I didn't have time to grab the camera. We did snag a picture of his wet paw prints on the rocks though. Cool experience, just wish I had seen him first.
mags459
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
07/08/2023 10:29AM  
July 2 - July 7

3 bear cubs spotted on crooked lake near Thursday Bay. One ran through camp on night but no other issues. I am sure mama was around but we did not see her and nothing in camp was touched. We do pride ourselves on a really clean camp with food hung correctly

Bugs bad from 9- to 10 pm. Around Mudro portages they were bad other than that it’s MN there are mosquitoes.
07/08/2023 11:49AM  
scottiebaldwin: "Today is July 3, 2023. Just came out of EP49, Skipper. I was there for the past few days. I stayed on the less desirable island site on Banadad. The whole trip there wasn’t a single mosquito! Even on the long 320 rod portage. I couldn’t believe it! Also, there was a moose on the Little Rush side of the Rush to Little Rush portage.


"



Nice picture...
BEARnMOOSE
member (19)member
  
07/08/2023 01:17PM  
July 2 -7 went in at Morgan lake west to long Island and then east out to poplar. Bugs didn't seem to bad. We thought it was no different than anywhere else in Minnesota. Clothes were treated, thermacell was used in camp at times, and 100% deet for some Portages but probably didn't need too. Never used the headnets except for one morning latrine trip. Might have helped that we were asleep or in the tent for the night before dark every day.

Saw a female moose on NW end of horseshoe standing neck deep in the center of the bay eating. We saw her from a distance and couldn't figure out what was moving in the center of the lake, we could see her ears flickering and thought it was a loon flapping it's wings at first. What a surprise as we got closer. First time either of us had seen a moose. She let us drift closer for a bit taking photos from a distance then got tired of us and walked away at suprising speed through the water to shore. Was amazed at the thundering sound of hooves on land and branches breaking as she trotted away. Later that day saw a mother and calf on Pillsbury across from eastern campsite as we ate dinner. Heard them enter but couldn't see right away because of the little pine in front of the campsite. We stood to look and they were directly across from us. She was aware we were there and kept an eye on us but allowed us to watch them until we got tired amd went to bed.

Also saw a big bull on Ross, and a young bull on Rush in bay with portage that doesn't go to little rush that looked allot like the picture from the post above. The bulls didn't seem to have much concern with us, we were closer and they kept an eye on us but didn't stop eating or seem to mind.

First post. Hi!
Tony and Janet.
BEARnMOOSE
member (19)member
  
07/08/2023 06:59PM  
Photos from above post.







Wispaddler
member (45)member
  
07/08/2023 10:00PM  
My son came back on 7/3 from Vern lake area (homer ep). Skeeters still at biblical level…worst he’d ever seen. Surely they’ll back off a tad soon. What a year!
iCallitMaize
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07/09/2023 10:57AM  
Was in the bald eagle area all week. Bugs were a non-factor. No bears or bear sign seen. Chipmunks, dragonflies, grouse and baby ducklings plentiful.
07/10/2023 08:52PM  
Round trip Cross Bay to Cherokee, 7/7 to 7/10.
Mosquitos were noticeable near the latrines in the mornings and evenings. Not bad along portages.
AlexanderSupertramp
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07/11/2023 07:57AM  
aerosen: "Round trip Cross Bay to Cherokee, 7/7 to 7/10.
Mosquitos were noticeable near the latrines in the mornings and evenings. Not bad along portages."


Probably doing this same route starting Thursday. I think the overnight lows up there last night and the next few nights will wipe out most of the bugs. At least that is what I am hoping for!
loonatic
member (19)member
  
07/12/2023 12:02AM  
Returned on Sunday (7/9) from an in-and-out three night trip to Lake Agnes via Moose River North EP.

No bears during stay on NW campsite of the lake, though we made sure to have a clean campsite and hang as high as we could after reading bear reports on Agnes and viewing the videos of a bear attempting to steal food on a BWCA Facebook page.
Mosquitos were abundant (as were the walleyes)!

We had an incredibly unique and once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a wolf along the river just south of Nina Moose Lake. As we were approaching a beaver dam near the Nina Moose Overlook (what we've referred to as "top of the world"), we heard a splash just ahead and a black wolf started swimming about a canoe's length ahead of our canoe... and eventually across the river to the other side. Remarkable! At first we thought it was a bear at first excited glance... but it became quickly obvious it was a wolf... and of course, a long tail as it exited the other side. Neat!
kjw
distinguished member (106)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/14/2023 07:14PM  
Spent last Saturday and Sunday in Fall Lake Campground. Don't remember having to put on any bug spray. Went up Moose River North into Nina Moose Lake to base camp. Did day trip to Lake Agnes. Came out of entry point on Thursday. Didn't need to use my Thermacell. Bugs were not much of an issue. Used a little bug spray. Only needed bug spray back at throne and parts of Moose River. Mainly used head net for portions of Moose River. Flys were biting at camp and I had to put on socks with my Crocs to stop that. Bugshirts and tarps with netting would have been wasted space/weight in pack.
Dotbear
member (10)member
  
07/14/2023 08:04PM  
Went to South Temperance via Baker Lake this past week, and the skeeters were insane on the portages, but not so bad at the campsite. A solid breeze on two days helped for sure, but even when that died down they weren't terrible.

No bears, thankfully.

No moose, sadly.
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/15/2023 03:02PM  
Just got back after a short trip this week from South Farm to Clear Lake. Flies were their usual hovering, annoying selves, but mosquitoes were nearly nonexistent. Not sure if I credit the permethrin soaked clothing, the picaridin spray, or the 25-30 mph SW winds.
07/17/2023 10:28PM  
Came out 7-16 from Moose R north to Boulder Bay. We had permethrin on our clothes, no thermocells, no head nets , no spray. Mosquitoes didn’t seem too bad. 1 or 2 portages they were somewhat bothersome, especially on my hands, but did not use any spray. On our way out we saw a lot of people going in with headnets on. Of course the latrine area had a few extra bugs. And as always, the skeeters were noticeable about 9:00 but not bad bad enough to drive us from the fire.

We did not encounter any bears.
MikeinMpls
distinguished member(1338)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/18/2023 08:22AM  
Came out on July 13 from five days solo on Wood Lake. I've had worse bugs, but they were definitely there. The forest-wide "mosquito hum" at dusk was the loudest I have ever experienced, and made me very glad I go to bed early when tripping. The ~200 rod portage from the EP parking lot to Wood Lake was ferocious with them. I hate wearing bug spray, so I wore my bug shirt on the portage out, choosing the increased heat of the bug shirt over DEET. In camp, I used my Thermacells, and they worked just fine.

Mike
dbalmer
  
07/21/2023 06:45PM  
Any update on bugs? Trying to decide whether to pack my bugout shelter. Have a trip next weekend out of mudro. TIA.
07/21/2023 07:45PM  
dbalmer: "Any update on bugs? Trying to decide whether to pack my bugout shelter. Have a trip next weekend out of mudro. TIA. "

I'd pack it. Glad I had mine last week on Lynx. I expect to wear bug jacket on portages in July. Also wore it and gloves for entire paddle between EP 14 and Lynx (both ways)! Mainly mosquitoes but also 2 kinds of biting flies.
ockycamper
distinguished member(1372)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/22/2023 05:44PM  
A friend is going to Saganage and Red Rock first week of August. Any updates on bugs in that area?
chiefagikamik
member (16)member
  
07/23/2023 07:31AM  
Just came out off Round Lake - did 4 nights from Brant Lake over to Gillis then down through Tuscarora and out, Put in Monday July 17 came out Friday July 21.

Bugs:
The mosquitos were pretty bad around dawn & dusk times, at all the sites.
Otherwise, during the main part of the day there were few mosquitos in spots with any breeze at all or that were sunny. Yet if you walked a bit back in the woods, say to the latrine or to hang a bear bag, you were pretty much swarmed.

Bears:
Didn't see any bears or any sign of bears.
07/23/2023 08:22AM  
Spent four days on Little Sag, 7/18 - 7/21, and the bugs were almost non-existent compared to my trip in mid June.
StLouisPaddler
senior member (77)senior membersenior member
  
07/23/2023 09:58AM  
I had the family on Zephyr and Sag from 7/17 to 7/21. Mosquitoes were not at all an issue.
Dogpaddler
member (11)member
  
07/23/2023 08:34PM  
7/21-7/23 on Fourtown.

Mosquitos were light on portages and camp. Mostly out right before dark. Biting flys got annoying from time to time but still not a big issue. No bug nets or repellant.

No bears.
chessie
distinguished member (343)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/25/2023 01:04PM  
Slim lake for a few days last week: Mosquitoes were BAD, unless you were on the water. No bears. No moose.
08/06/2023 06:07PM  
Any recent reports from Poplar/Caribou/Horseshoe area?
08/06/2023 08:18PM  
CoachBigD: "Any recent reports from Poplar/Caribou/Horseshoe area?"


We were just at Rockwood last week in a cabin and they said that they haven't had any reports about the nuisance bear from last year this year.
08/07/2023 04:47AM  
Thank you ducks! How was your stay at the cabin? Rockwood was filled up for us. We will be spending a couple days at Clearwater Lodge before a quick weekend trip to Horseshoe at the end of the month. Starting to get real excited!
RetiredDave
distinguished member (368)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/07/2023 06:26AM  
How about problem bears near EP 64? Anyone been there recently or heard anything? I know there were problems earlier this summer. Thanks!

Dave
AlexanderSupertramp
distinguished member (348)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/07/2023 07:25AM  
Just came back from a Sawbill-Cherokee loop and a day trip to Frost, exited on Friday. I wouldn't say bugs were non-existent, but other than the latrine area at each camp and maybe 1 of the portages, I wasn't bothered by any mosquitos, and never even took the bug spray out. No bears.
08/07/2023 08:37AM  
CoachBigD: "Thank you ducks! How was your stay at the cabin? Rockwood was filled up for us. We will be spending a couple days at Clearwater Lodge before a quick weekend trip to Horseshoe at the end of the month. Starting to get real excited!"


We had a great time. Didn’t want to go home. They book up for the whole summer really early now. You pretty much need to book by fall now for the following summer. A few years ago we wouldn’t book until February, now we book for the following year when we check out in order to get the dates and cabin that we want.

Have a great trip. Clearwater is also a very nice place.

They also said that a lot of people have been seeing moose in the horseshoe area again this year.
salukiguy
distinguished member(597)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/07/2023 09:38AM  
Just returned from the Granite River loop. Mosquitoes bad at dusk. Enough to send you to the tent. Then they abated after dark. Otherwise not bad on portages or elsewhere. Horseflies very annoying everywhere.
StLouisPaddler
senior member (77)senior membersenior member
  
08/07/2023 01:55PM  
Was on the Falls Chain in Q from 7/30 to 8/5. We had a limited number of mosquitos and deerfly. They were not an issue except at dawn/dusk or back in the woods.
08/08/2023 09:39AM  
Just out of the Q - Kahsh > Agnes loop. Spotty mosquitoes...but they were an issue every morning and every evening. On some portages they were annoying.

However nothing like the murderfest back in late May & early June.

One bald-faced hornet sting.
08/11/2023 02:19PM  
Came back yesterday (8/10) from sawbill - Cherokee loop and bugs were not a major factor. Most nights hardly a mosquito to speak of, only one night was awful at sunset (probably the calmest night). Occasional horse/deer fly during the day but nothing really that bothersome. Had thermacells out around the fire grate a couple nights but likely didn’t really need them.
08/13/2023 07:21PM  
Came out at Sawbill on the 11th after a 5 night Louse River loop. I would say bugs were typical. Came out around dusk if there was no breeze.
08/14/2023 06:57PM  
Saw a bear on Ledge....a beaver chased it off. First time in 52 years of canoe tripping that I've seen a bear in the wilderness.
OHPaddler
member (22)member
  
08/15/2023 06:22PM  
7/31-8/9. Moose river north to fall lake, via Oyster. Sightings included: River otters on Agnes, entering from Pocket Creek (8/1) Bull Moose on Gebe Creek, just prior to Pocket Creek (8/3). Young wolf (6mo ish) just past the bottle portage (8/5 Heard wolves on Gebeonequet and Iron. They were loud enough to wake us on Gebe.

Bugs were not a huge issue. Mosquitoes were bad (as usual) at sundown at all sites - but improved as night went on.

No bears sighted.
08/22/2023 10:02AM  
On 8/20, while watching the campfire at my site on Lake Agnes, from across the lake I heard people repeatedly yelling at a bear to get out of their camp. Anyone here have a story to share?
afromaniac
senior member (98)senior membersenior member
  
08/29/2023 02:02PM  
South Kawishiwi EP 32 - mosquitoes at dusk and a few bites from a portage but otherwise nothing at all to report for bugs.
KawnipiKid
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/03/2023 12:42PM  
Back yesterday and bugs were typical or even fewer than usual for late August. Went in 8/26 at Brandt to Gillis, Gabi, Little Sag, Makwa and into the Mugwump PMA. Back through Little Sag, Crooked, Tuscarora to Round. Just a few mosquitos 7-8 pm in camps and a few on portages. It was a breezy stretch, which helped too. A couple of the last flies around the ankles one mid day. No bear. A big and healthy bull moose on the very first portage of the trip, Round to West Round. Busy with humans on the first and last days but very quiet the entire heart of the trip.
gbgraves
member (17)member
  
09/05/2023 03:56PM  
Caribou, Horseshoe, Gaskin, and Winchell last Sunday-Friday. Bugs were essentially non-existent, even though it was relatively warm and a couple of the nights were calm. Never used head nets or bug spray. Everyone was pleasantly surprised!
BWCA
Administrator
  
09/08/2023 08:29AM  

Forest Service notice on Bear activity:

Superior National Forest managers urge the public to learn and practice Bear Aware principles for the protection of both visitors and bears. The following areas on the Forest are seeing an increase in bear-human conflict reports:

Gunflint–Grand Marais area
• Clearwater Lake
• Rose Lake
• Duncan Lake
• Alder Lake
• Moon Lake
• Caribou Lake

LaCroix–Cook area
• Agnus Lake


Read full document
Chattysherpa
member (6)member
  
09/08/2023 12:04PM  
YaMarVa: "On 8/20, while watching the campfire at my site on Lake Agnes, from across the lake I heard people repeatedly yelling at a bear to get out of their camp. Anyone here have a story to share?"


We found a note under rock on firegrate on agnes dated 8/20.we camped site 8/ 21. Left for oyster portage around 11. Tracks headed north on beach by portage. We hang our food bags. I am a arborist so no bear is getting my food lol
09/08/2023 12:07PM  
admin: "
Forest Service notice on Bear activity:


Superior National Forest managers urge the public to learn and practice Bear Aware principles for the protection of both visitors and bears. The following areas on the Forest are seeing an increase in bear-human conflict reports:


Gunflint–Grand Marais area
• Clearwater Lake
• Rose Lake
• Duncan Lake
• Alder Lake
• Moon Lake
• Caribou Lake


LaCroix–Cook area
• Agnus Lake



Read full document"


I had to double take since the rangers didn't mention any problems prior to our trip last weekend through Caribou to Horseshoe. Then I remembered there is another Caribou east of Clearwater and north of Alder and Deer.
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
09/11/2023 03:26PM  
Any first-hand experiences w bear this year on Alder? Seems like it's being mentioned on the September list more often. Thinking of basing there next week; had a good time there two years ago. Or maybe should think about moving on one or two extra portages.
RetiredDave
distinguished member (368)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/12/2023 04:57PM  
I just returned (out on 9/10) from a solo and spent my first and last nights on Alder. I purposely chose campsites 705 and 706 (both isolated sites on peninsulas) because there had been some bear activity in the campsites along the northern shore of Alder in the late spring. Also, the outfitters at Bearskin Lodge said a bear got one of their 30L barrels on Caribou just a couple of days before I went in.

I camped on Canoe and Crystal as well, I saw no bears the entire time. But as I was driving home I heard a warning from the Forest Service that there had been a recent uptick in bear nuisances in the Boundary Waters (didn't say where), and that campers should follow established bear-avoidance practices. Guess that's all you can do.

I hope you have a really enjoyable trip with no uninvited visitors!

Dave
straighthairedcurly
distinguished member(1921)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/12/2023 06:58PM  
Bear hit west most campsite on Mountain Lake last week. Also found evidence on Greater Cherry portage into Moose had evidence that a pack had been disassembled by a bear and food spread around.
grizzlyadams
senior member (64)senior membersenior member
  
09/19/2023 09:35AM  
Little late on the post but we had a bear come through camp one morning, in mid June, on the north side of U.S. Agnes. The dog scared it off and didn't see it again.
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
09/21/2023 05:21PM  
Stayed on Canoe this week with our Bear Vault safely stashed in the woods each night. No bears seen nor reported by anyone we spoke with, even on Alder which is in the current FS warning.

I am so done with hanging food packs and believe that the practice does more to attract persistent bears than deter.

Oh, and 3 mosquitoes heard, 1 seen, 0 landed.
09/22/2023 12:06PM  
Thanks Schweady!
 
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