I'm trying to decide where to take my group this year and right now the options are looking like loops out of Entry Points; LIS North 14, Moose River 16, or Mudro 23. Plan is to take this group out of Ely since we did the Clearwater loop off the Gunflint Trail in 2024. I've been reading trip reports for these areas but haven't really settled on one. I know hitting LLC contradicts the "rivers over big lakes" but its tough to avoid and figure it's better mid trip than the end.

What are we looking for on this trip? More rivers over big lake travel. Fishing is ideal but not a priority. I'd like to see pictographs. Other than that, we're really just looking for a "standard" BWCA trip. This will most likely be a group of 6-8, males in our 30's. Trip length will be 6 days the week of Labor Day.

The last trip with this group, we ended the last day paddling into the wind the full length of Clearwater Lake which was unbelievable miserable. Trip Report I am trying to avoid that (hence the river travel). This past year, 2025, I took a group on the Island and Isabella River. Had I not done that, I would have considered doing Hog Creek to Little Gabbro (or a similar route).

Any insight, guidance, or things to consider is appreciated. Like I mentioned I've been reading trip reports but haven't been pulled in either direction.

Entry point 16, Moose River North. From Nina Moose, portage into Lamb lake, then Ramshead, Since Lamb Lake has no campsites, has a longish portage to get to and a somewhat longish portage into Ramshead, I believe it is underfished. My wife and I caught lots of northern pike in the 4-7 pound range while we "rested" before moving on to camp in Ramshead. Move down to Agnes after Ramshead and then decide if you want to continue to Lac La Croix or just turn back and follow Moose River back to Nina Moose.

Our group of 4 decided to put in at EP14 LIS and went through Shell, Lynx, Hustler and into Oyster. We then turned north up to Ge-be-on-e-quet, onto Ge-Be Creek into Pocket Creek which led into Lac La Croix. We headed east through Fish Stake Narrows and took a side paddle over to Warrior Hill to check out the most spectacular pictos we had ever seen. South through Boulder Bay into Agnes then Nina Moose and out at EP16. We parked the truck at EP16 and rode a bike back to EP14 and hid it before the trip. The same can be done if you have 2 vehicles. This trip took us 6 days through creeks, rivers, small and large lakes and pictographs. The fishing was very good and the scenery was flawless.

This summer we are planning EP16 entry for a loop through Nina Moose, Agnes, LLC, Fish Stake Narrows, Pocket Creek, Ge-Be, Green, Rocky, Oyster and back to EP16. Side trips to Warrior Hill, Pictos, Curtain Falls via Iron, etc.

soundguy0918: "This summer we are planning EP16 entry for a loop through Nina Moose, Agnes, LLC, Fish Stake Narrows, Pocket Creek, Ge-Be, Green, Rocky, Oyster and back to EP16. Side trips to Warrior Hill, Pictos, Curtain Falls via Iron, etc."

Thanks, I'm thinking we are going to do the same route as you. Seems to be the best balance of what I'm looking for. Unsure about a day trip to Curtain Falls but we will for sure be checking out the Pictos & Warrior Hill!

bnics: "

soundguy0918: "This summer we are planning EP16 entry for a loop through Nina Moose, Agnes, LLC, Fish Stake Narrows, Pocket Creek, Ge-Be, Green, Rocky, Oyster and back to EP16. Side trips to Warrior Hill, Pictos, Curtain Falls via Iron, etc."

Thanks, I'm thinking we are going to do the same route as you. Seems to be the best balance of what I'm looking for. Unsure about a day trip to Curtain Falls but we will for sure be checking out the Pictos & Warrior Hill!"

Great route, I really enjoy the stretch from Oyster to Pocket. A couple other sites to catch along this route that I was unaware of my first time passing through, pictos on Rocky and stone chairs on Ge-Be. There's a couple of more open areas on LLC for the wind to whip up but also plenty of islands and protected shoreline to work the wind in your favor. Not to bring up the dreaded permit availability topic, but all 3 of your proposed EP's get cleaned up pretty quick so have a backup plan.

portagerunner: "Great route, I really enjoy the stretch from Oyster to Pocket. A couple other sites to catch along this route that I was unaware of my first time passing through, pictos on Rocky and stone chairs on Ge-Be. There's a couple of more open areas on LLC for the wind to whip up but also plenty of islands and protected shoreline to work the wind in your favor. Not to bring up the dreaded permit availability topic, but all 3 of your proposed EP's get cleaned up pretty quick so have a backup plan."

Thanks and we've noted the pictos on Rocky and Ge-Be recliners. We plan to go to LLC first so we can potentially paddle out of Oyster via the Oyster River as I understand its harder to find and navigate northbound.

Thanks PortageRunner. Forgot about the stone chairs on Ge-Be! Will have to check that out. I was thinking the stretch you mentioned (Oyster to Pocket) will be the most enjoyable and most remote for that route.

The dreaded permit opener...and that's why I've had an "out of office" appointment booked on my calendar for the past month. Work is NOT getting in the way! :)

soundguy0918: "

portagerunner: "Great route, I really enjoy the stretch from Oyster to Pocket. A couple other sites to catch along this route that I was unaware of my first time passing through, pictos on Rocky and stone chairs on Ge-Be. There's a couple of more open areas on LLC for the wind to whip up but also plenty of islands and protected shoreline to work the wind in your favor. Not to bring up the dreaded permit availability topic, but all 3 of your proposed EP's get cleaned up pretty quick so have a backup plan."

Thanks and we've noted the pictos on Rocky and Ge-Be recliners. We plan to go to LLC first so we can potentially paddle out of Oyster via the Oyster River as I understand its harder to find and navigate northbound."

Curious what you mean. So you'll go up to Agnes, LLC then over to Pocket, Gobe, rocky, oyster. After Oyster are you trying to take the Oyster river back to the Nina/Moose river? Instead of portaging to Agnes?

Looking at a route planning tool (sorry, we noticed links or references to websites in your message which aren't allowed), I was wondering if this was possible.

It’s a lot easier going down the Oyster River, but you will encounter 10+ beaver damns.

I see you are possibly going with up to 8 guys. If this is the case, you will most likely have two cars so you don't have do a loop. I suggest Moose River north entry with a Mudro exit. You get to see a lot on this route: Rebecca Falls, Curtin Falls, Table Rock and some Pictographs on Crooked lake. The wind should be on your back for most of this trip.

Curious what you mean. So you'll go up to Agnes, LLC then over to Pocket, Gobe, rocky, oyster. After Oyster are you trying to take the Oyster river back to the Nina/Moose river? Instead of portaging to Agnes?

Yes that's the plan unless water levels are low. Our preferred outfitter will have a good grasp on the beaver dams but July.

Looking at a route planning tool (sorry, we noticed links or references to websites in your message which aren't allowed), I was wondering if this was possible. "

It's possible but as others have noted, the resident beavers create new challenges. If water levels are low, we will just portage from Oyster to Agnes.