Good evening,
I'm taking my boys (17, 16, 14, 12) on their first trip for five days in June. I've been three times, the last 21 years ago. One trip in 1993 was in via LIS and then out of Stuart. (The other trips were East side)

What are your thoughts on these two options:
1. Go in and out of Stuart
2. Go in via LIS and then out maybe Moose?

Some good fishing is important, and we don't want "easy" or "break the back" kind of trip.

I feel like a rookie; and know these are broad questions. All input appreciated! I know there are probably many chats posted about each route and we'll look at those once we decide.

Thanks!
Dave

Welcome to BWCA.com! The first thing you should do is check on recreation.gov to see what permits are available for your trip dates, then go from there. Little Indian Sioux North has become a popular entry point in the last 10 years or so, and is usually sold out throughout the summer months. Stuart also seems to be popular, and might not have availability on the dates you’re looking for.

But, there are other nice entry points with likely availability. Missing Link and Meeds on the east side would provide good 5 day loop options. For example, in Missing Link and out Brant (you’ll end up at the same parking lot) or in Missing Link and out Cross Bay (you’ll end up just a short walk from the Round Lake parking lot). If you went in Meeds you could do a nice loop and come out Lizz/Swamp, and you’ll also end up where you parked.

On the west side you could put together a nice trip going in at Fall and out Mudro, if you’re able to shuttle, or loop back into Basswood from the Horse/Fourtown area and come back out at Fall.

Once you figure out what permits are available for your dates, you can read some of the trip reports for each potential entry point - look on this site under the Maps and Entry Points tab; there is a list of trip reports on the page for each entry point. And of course feel free to ask more questions here!

Good morning, and welcome to BWCA.com! How exciting to plan a trip with your four boys!

If you haven't seen this already, the Maps & Entry Points tab at the top of the page is also linked to trip reports for the given areas. Don't forget to click on campsites and portages for reviews from previous visitors.

Little Indian Sioux

Stuart River

I enjoyed my time in the ep14 area. We did the loop through the lower lakes in 7 days with 2 layover days and a loop through the upper lakes below LLC in 6 with 1 layover day. Finger, pocket, and gebe were my favorite areas to explore. They provided some hot bass fishing, and the scenery in that area is gorgeous. The portage from thumb to finger was my favorite. It was like walking through a Tolkien book. The beartracks are very picturesque, too, but I can't comment on the fishing through there. We were pushing hard that morning to make it to gebe and never got a rod in the water.

I've been planning a trip to Stuart for the last two years, but unfortunately had to postpone again this year due to some family health issues. I'll be eager to read your trip report if you go that way!

Depending on your available days, the entry point you get may already have been determined by the available permits. One loop you didn't mention is in on Stuart River and out through Nina Moose (Moose/Portage River North). Should you choose that route I might suggest that you make a slight side trip between Agness and Nina Moose to go through Ramshead and Lamb lakes. Lamb is a small lake, has no campsites and thus is likely little fished. I have had fantastic northern pike fishing there, landing fish after fish, all between 4 and 7 pounds.

You should now go to recreation.gov and choose permits, then Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, then "Explore available permits". You will have to choose an option on the top left of the page, most likely Overnight paddle. Then choose the desired dates. From there you can choose the entry point and it will show what permits are available for a range of dates.

I would suggest in and out of Stuart for a first trip for your boys. A long day in and out and you can walk the other portages or day trip. I seem to recall hiking up to an overlook across from the Island site. It's easiest if you bushwack to the backside and find your way from there.

Thanks all for the quick responses. I should have mentioned I was able to secure a permit yesterday for both LIS and Stuart (different dates). Once we review this feedback we'll make a decision and cancel the other permits (hope that is an appropriate way to do things)
We'll also look at the other EP mentioned above.
Thanks again!
Dave

LIS North is a great trip. Really good Smallmouth fishing on Slim. Depending on time, you can loop through beartrxck, finger, thumb and come out Nina Moose.

Stuart portage to start will separate the men from the boys, especially ending at Stuart.

Maybe your kids are gung-ho on the portages but that first one at a mile and a quarter before you even reach the river could be a real turn-off for future trips. If that were the only portage to Stuart Lake it still might be OK, depending on the kids but it isn't. You no more than get started on Stuart River and you have another portage, nearly a quarter mile one at that. By the time you reach Stuart Lake you will have carried canoes and packs for over 2 1/2 miles. There are only 5 campsites on Stuart and if they are filled, you have another 293 rods of portaging to get to Lac La Croix and if will still be a bit of paddling to reach the first campsite. You could turn left at Lac La Croix and go to Agnes but that is another 114 rod portage to get there.

Little Indian Souix starts with a 95 rod portage followed by a 60 rod portage and then you reach Upper Pauness Lake with 5 campsites and another 13 rod portage lets you access Lower Pauness with 3 more. That's the route i would choose. You could make a real easy trip and return to where you started or make a loop to Moose River if the boys and weather are cooperative.

When your boys get older and if they still want to go, then choose Stuart River.

Given ages, I'd go in/out LISN.
If they run out of steam, can stop/camp on either Pauness for day one. You can continue on to some very nice lakes (Shell, Lynx, Hustler, etc.). Take in Devils Cascade for a day trip. With first timers and kids, I error on the side of making sure it's more fun/less grueling.

Yeah taking two permits with the intentions of only using one is why everyone bitches about permit hoarding. So yeah don't do that....

We did a trip up Stuart and out via Moose. Stuart -> Iron -> LLC -> Moose River N. Great area! LLC is a beautiful lake I wish I would have had more time to explore around there.

Thank you everyone for the honest advice and candid feedback/wisdom, it is much appreciated!

OMGitsKa: "Yeah taking two permits with the intentions of only using one is why everyone bitches about permit hoarding. So yeah don't do that....


We did a trip up Stuart and out via Moose. Stuart -> Iron -> LLC -> Moose River N. Great area! LLC is a beautiful lake I wish I would have had more time to explore around there. "

This is one of my favorite 'short' routes! Stashed a bike for getting back to the truck.