In the beginning stages of planning solo a grand marais side hunting and fishing canoe trip. Going to be bringing a single shot twenty gauge that was my dads, a medium light spinner and a medium heavy spinning rod and an 8wt fly rod. Was wondering if anyone had any novice friendly loops or lakes with campsites that would be friendly for both fishing and small game hunting like grouse, squirrels and rabbits. Appreciate everyone’s input in advance.

I’m not familiar with the east side of the Bwca, but I’ve had the most success hunting on the portages-especially in transition areas of the forest. I’d find a small lake that I could do a lot of day trips that included many portages. This last fall I walked one portage 3 or 4 time throughout the day and I ended up with my limit by the end of the day.

egknuti: "I’m not familiar with the east side of the Bwca, but I’ve had the most success hunting on the portages-especially in transition areas of the forest. I’d find a small lake that I could do a lot of day trips that included many portages. This last fall I walked one portage 3 or 4 time throughout the day and I ended up with my limit by the end of the day. "

+1 to walking portages.
Prior to the closure, I was going to go to Wind Lake for grouse opener specifically to hunt the long portages in the area. Traipsing through uncleared brush is not only laborious, it is loud & if grouse aren’t spooked early by the sound of one’s movements, sight lines are likely to be fairly obstructed from the dense undergrowth.

+1 to transition areas as well.
Walking a portage is like walking one long transition area. Recent burn zones & where burn zones meet not burn zones also produce some good habitats.

Also, I’ve noticed grouse, like many animals, tend to be creatures of habit & if you see one it is likely to remain in the vicinity.

Good luck with your hunt & have a fun + safe trip!

I'm also considering a BWCA cast & blast trip in the coming days - having never done this, what are the rules about hunting grouse in terms of portages (I would have guessed not OK, but that's where we've seen a billion birds over the years) and other parts of the wilderness? What about the hiking trails?

I was able to find very little on the SNF site.

FIREARMS AND FIREWORKS Discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a campsite, occupied area, and in a manner or location that places people and their property at risk or danger. State game laws apply in the BWCAW. Fireworks of any kind are illegal.

i believe this also shows up as one of the rules and regulations on the back of the permit.

portages... i would include this as one of the manner or location that places people at risk or danger, since you don't know who else is on the opposite end of the portage you are on.

if you decide to go off portage, take flagging tape to mark your way, pick it up on your way out. easy to get disoriented.

You can most definitely hunt on portages. No matter what kind trail you’re on, there’s always a chance you’ll see other hunters or trippers, which was true for me on most of the trails and portages I hunted. Although I do search for places where I don’t think I’ll see anyone else. Putting people at risk is when a hunter isn’t following gun safety. Also, whether I’m hunting or tripping or running trails during hunting season, I always wear orange. Stay safe!

good to know! do you hunt with your safety on until you see something to shoot?

Mocha: "good to know! do you hunt with your safety on until you see something to shoot?"

My safety is always on until the moment I shoot.

I'd say most wingshooters have down the muscle-memory to flick off the safety while shouldering the gun.

Back to hunting portages...this would seem to be at odds with the leashed dog rule. Perhaps that's not an issue out of permit season.

There is an exemption for dogs while actively hunting.