Had to switch dates for this year's trip to a very restrictive timeframe. Was able to pick up a Bower Trout entry point that worked. Plan is to get into Swan or Vernon for 2-3 nights and then head back to Marshall or Bower Trout for a night or two before we exit. This 57 year old taking my 67 year old buddy on his first BWCA trip. He's an ex-Marine who has back country camped and hunted in Alaska many time so he is an avid outdoor man. Just never been to the BW yet (something he will check off his bucket list!). I've checked out campsites and found a couple of older trip reports. Anyone have insight/experiences in the past few years about this location they could pass along? Heading to Lac Lake for some northern fishing is an option I've come across. Any intel is appreciated!

We spent a week on Swan last year. Portages into the area are reasonable. Stayed at the peninsula campsite. Our group was three fathers with a kid apiece. We had an outstanding trip. It’s a beautiful lake and a moose showed up one night. Fishing was ok, but it was August and very hot so your mileage may vary. We found smallmouth throughout the lake with some good sized ones near the moving water to the east end of the lake. We found walleye directly south of the peninsula campsite on a flat. Day tripped into Vernon and got skunked fishing the moving water. If you take the peninsula site, there’s a nice swimming wading area just west of the site entrance. Would definitely return. Have a good trip.

I went to Swan from Bower Trout with one of my daughters when she was 9. Swan is a beautiful lake and I really liked the journey there and back. Because of how small the lakes are it does end up being a lot of in and out of the canoe though so it took longer than I anticipated. Also, on Dugout there are a couple of spots with shallow/moving water where it has some canoe scratching rocks. I’ve heard you have to line the canoe through in shall

I just looked at the campsite ratings for Swan and I think they are pretty spot on. I think the peninsula site is the best one. It was occupied when we got there so we stayed at the northern site because I liked it better than the 1st site. But I’d be happy with any of the 3 sites. I think the Marshal site is nicer than the ones on Nowet Trout.

I soloed to Swan a year ago this week. I was planning to loop through to Ram, but I encountered less-than-ideal conditions. Since it was my first solo and rain and storms were forecasted for that week, I didn't want to take any chances. Also, tackling Brule on the 4th of July with the wind didn't seem appealing.

My journey was not without its challenges. I battled headwind gusts over 23 mph on Bower, and some portages were submerged, knee-deep in water. It took me longer than planned to reach Swan. I had hoped to secure the last campsite, as it features artifacts from earlier days, but I ended up staying at the first site. The two other camp sites were taken. It turned out to be a great site, High above the water, plus a snapping turtle laid its eggs by the landing, which was fascinating to watch.

As the week progressed, I found myself with the entire lake to myself, a rare and serene experience. The tranquility of the wilderness enveloped me, but I had to cut my solitude short and leave a day early due to the impending heavy rains and thunderstorms on my departure day.

I can't comment on the fishing (bonehead move on my part), but I heard from others earlier in the week that it was inconsistent due to the weather.

Bower Trout - in and out

Thanks for the info. Got back this week from 4 nights in the BW. Made it into Swan (the short portages were very muddy) and stayed at the first campsite. As stated, up on top of a hill. Was a great site for 3 nights. Per suggestions, moved to the Marshall site for last night and enjoyed that too. Thank you all for the intel!

Glad to hear that you had a good time. Thanks for coming back to share after your trip.