Hi! Greenest of Greenhorns here.

One of my lifelong desires has been to fish the BWCA. Living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it’s not been something I could easily do. I’m finally retired and able to plan.

I’ll be 62 next month. I’ve dedicated most of my adult life to staying in excellent physical condition so that I could enjoy this life period and enjoy places that could require effort. Lifting, kettlebells, rucking, some walking/running ~5 days/week.

Lots of questions as you’d figure and also VERY receptive to questions that I don’t realize that I may have. My personal motto is “if you’re too big to follow then you’re too small to lead;” meaning I’m always open to good advice from you folks who’ve skinned this cat a few times.

I LOVE to fish and especially LOVE catching Smallmouth, a rare fish for your average Miss’ippi Redneck. I also enjoy eating walleye (who doesn’t?), another rarity.

I’m interested in smaller lakes and am not afraid of a little extra effort to reach them. I’ve taken notes from the thread on smaller lakes and am VERY receptive to advice on the better small fishing lakes and waterways, especially those close to each other.

I own a Hobie PA14, which I believe is too heavy for BWCA. I love the Hobie Pedal Drive and would like to get a lighter Hobie that would be more manageable. I have the wheel system that installs into the Hobie’s bottom, enabling me to pull the kayak overland. Would that work for most portages? If it’s not feasible I believe a light canoe would be better. If so, I realize that you get what you pay for and I’d hate to encumber myself because I saved a few $$ in the wrong area. Thoughts?

I saw the “buddy thread” and would be definitely be receptive to that.

Is there fishing license reciprocity for lakes that border both the US and Canada or would I need both a MN and Ontario fishing license?

I’ve also taken notes from the “gear thread.” What are your MUST haves? Anything you brought and never needed?

I don’t know what I don’t know: please fire away!!

Lastly, I feel VERY strongly about leaving campsites better than I found them and treating the area and its inhabitants respectfully.

Thank You!!

Welcome to the site. You have posted excellent questions which people must think about when planning and traveling a great distance for their trip.

Wheels and pedals and anything mechanized is not allowed in the bwca. You’d be better off renting a canoe for your first trip, there are many nice lightweight Kevlar canoes outfitters rent. And you might want to paddle a few before deciding which feels stable.

No reciprocity for fishing licenses or limits between MN and Canada.
You mentioned preferring smaller lakes so I’m thinking you wouldn’t be along the border since many of those lakes are big or long and narrow (imagine wind tunnel).

You definitely should connect by email with the buddy thread people. Even if it doesn’t turn on to a trip you would at least gather more intel.

You live a long ways away but some get together ideas are the annual fall wing night. There is a thread in the general posts about it.

And also there is the border challenge that starts the end of this month.

Most lake have smallmouth bass. Some smaller lakes that make a nice trip are found off poplar lake. You could portage in a few lakes, set up camp at a designated site with fire grate and latrine, and then mosey around during the day to different lakes for fishing.

Gear:
Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent or some shelter, maybe you hammock camp?
Stove, Fuel (can’t fly with fuel). Waterproof matches.
Pans for cooking, maybe a jet boil pot and a small griddle with higher sides. Silverware. I used a spork and a squishy bowl.
Chair or seat that you can use on your canoe seat and in camp.
Compass and knowledge of how to use it. Maps.
Paddle(s)
Toilet paper.
Rain fly
Book
Camera
First aid kit with duct tape

There is more. I’ll let others chime in. Everyone has their own system they’ve worked out over many trips.

Tell us more about your camping and wilderness experiences.

WxHerk: "Hi! I don’t know what I don’t know: please fire away.
Thank You!!"

Take Mocha's advice. She used to work for a large resort and outfitting place on the US/Canadian border.

Highly recommend you talk to an outfitter. Each of them are slightly different in service/style, but they all have BWCA experts who are more than happy to share their knowledge with you. You will find plenty of that here, but an outfitter will be the best way to answer "what don't I know?"

Have a great trip!

I assume you're beginning to plan for sometime next year. There will be a lot of things for you to consider especially if you've never done anything like this. Time of year, weather, length of trip, gear, etc. There are lots of ways to do a trip, each with pros and cons.

Welcome…..C130 hurricane crazy person, maybe….
You are off to a great start on your planning by reaching out to the people on this site!
I made my first solo trip to the BWCA about 10 years ago (and am very close to your age) and found the members on this site to be incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, and I still learn from them every time I log into this amazing site.
Take in all the advice and perspective. Know that your first contact with the wilderness will be different than expected, but that good planning will contribute a successful experience.
The BWCAW is amazing, and worth the effort of good planning to make your experience as good as it should be for you.
I have been going back every year, because it is that amazing. Enjoy your planning and your trip!

Wow. Thank You all so VERY much. Mocha, you listed some things that I can tell I’d be miserable without. I greatly appreciate your insight. I’ll definitely try out a few canoes, then rent. Also, I LOVE the idea of an “satellite camp” from which I could visit different lakes. That would save a lot of time searching for campsites plus packing up and setting up camp. I’ll likely buy the whole map package since I plan to come up several times and I love maps. I’m a retired Navigator so compasses and maps are second nature. Not much recent camping experience, though.

Paddle4Hike: yep, you pegged me! You obviously have some WX experience!

With all the info here, it’s becoming obvious that an outfitter will be invaluable in streamlining and “aiming” my effort. Until I found this site I thought people just drove up, found a good access point, unloaded their stuff, and started paddling!!

Mike Tyson said that we all have a plan until we get punched in the mouth. Thanks to You All I believe that first punch won’t be nearly as brutal!!

Thank you all VERY much!!

John