Hi all,

My girlfriend, her mom and I are planning a trip to the BWCA in the 2nd week of August. It will be my first time, but they have both been before. We got a permit for EP 50 so I was hoping to get some route advice for that area.

We're planning on doing four days and three nights. I really want to focus on fishing while there, targeting smallies, walleye and pike. From what I've read on other posts about the area, it seems like most of the best fishing will be closer to our EP. Looking at some different route options it seems like our best bet would be either heading south to long island lake, or west to Tuscarora. I'm concerned that Tuscarora might be too far for us to realistically reach in our time frame. In your opinion, is that a doable route in 4 days? also if either route is better for fishing for the species I mentioned earlier please let me know.

Thanks!

Hi, Atticus-

I can't tell you anything about the fishing.

Nobody knows how fast/far you can or want to travel but . . .

I've done several trips in the area. Either way you'll go from the entry through Ham Lake to Cross Bay Lake. (note: you won't actually enter the BW until after Ham Lake) You can then just continue south to Long Island which is about 8-9 miles (assuming double portage). I've generally used 2 mph as an average travel speed but you may want to ask the others who have been for their experience. So about 4 - 4 1/2 hours (YMMV)

You can also go west from Cross Bay Lake to Snipe Lake which will be about 5 1/2 miles, so ~3 hours.

From Snipe there are 2 ways to Tuscarora - go NW to Missing Link Lake and then to Tuscarora (have not done it) or go south to Copper then W to Tuscarora which I did in 2015 so dated info. It was a less-traveled route crossing the "Howl Swamp" (basically there was no Howl Lake as on the map - just a beaver pond and very short paddle across to the rest of the portage to Tusc.) with some flooded out portions of portage trails, tough landings, and downed trees. Very interesting route.

Either way you'll have about 6 1/2 - 7 miles with 4- 4 1/2 of portaging ( assuming double).

When I did it I entered at 50 Cross Bay, exited through Missing Link to Round Lake. It's about a half-mile walk from one to the other.

So basically any one of those is doable in 2-3 days. I don't think I posted a trip report for that one, but can look back through my file if you have questions.

Both Tuscarora & Long Island are laketrout waters and don't harbor any walleye but, you will probably be able to catch some northern & smallies.

Actually much of that immediate area is known more for trout. You can poke around on the MN DNR lake finder to get a good idea what fish will be where.

Regarding your travel plans: It's certainly doable to camp on both lakes in your allotted time frame but, at the sacrifice of fishing time. Getting to Long Island or Tuscarora is probably about as far as you'll likely want to travel the 1st day. And then getting from one of those lakes to the other would constitute another full day of travel.

If fishing is going to be a high priority, I think setting up on one or the other of those lakes and basecamping and then doing daytrips might be the most prudent option. Especially considering its your first trip.









Cross Bay trip report

TuscaroraBorealis: " "

You won’t find reliable Walleye or SM fishing south of Cross Lake until you get to the Temperance lakes. Cross Bay Lake has some great Walleye fishing as well as a great campsite on the south end. Last year a group I ran into on Long Island Lake had a SM on their stringer. In my 20+ years of trips to the BWCA that’s the first time I’ve heard of someone catching a SM on LIL.

Have you considered making it to Frost Lake and back? I’ve done that route from EP 50 when I only had 3 nights. Frost Lake is known for Lake Trout fishing, moose sightings, and great campsites.

What's wrong with trout fishing? You can absolutely make it to Tuscarora in a 4 day trip. I would recommend taking 2 days to get to Tuscarora, a layover day on Tuscarora, then exit on round and walk to get your car. Tuscarora is a great lake. I've been on it twice but never stayed there, we tried to once but a storm made us seek shelter.

Trout tastes great when you cook it right. Don't fry it, bake it. Just gut it, wash it, stuff the cavity with seasoning, onion, parsley, and lemon and then wrap it in tinfoil and throw it on some embers for about 20 minutes, rotating often depending on the heat. Stuffing it is entirely optional, but I've heard some good ideas about using instant rice and dried herbs with salt and pepper then adding a little water halfway through to ensure the rice doesn't make the fish dry.

A1t2o: "What's wrong with trout fishing? "

I agree. I go to the BWCA mainly for the Lake Trout fishing. I can catch plenty of Walleye and SM near my home, and I prefer Lake Trout as a superior fish to catch and eat.