I'm planning a four-day trip the first part of October. It'll be the first time back in the BW for me since the late '90s. I know Moose Lake is pretty busy during season - how much traffic can I expect during the week - first week in October? Thanks!

It's been quite a few years but the couple of times I was in that area in October it was pretty quiet. Did a trip in Indiana Lake through Wind Lake and I remember a couple of motor boats on Moose but didn't see another group once we started on the portage out of Moose.

Another year I went up on a fin and feathers weekend to fish and grouse hunt. We stayed on one of the campgrounds near Moose and did a couple of day trips fishing on Moose. A few people like us were fishing but largely empty. FYI - no fins or feathers were harmed despite our best efforts.

Keep in mind this was all late 90's early 00's, so this datapoint may not tell you much. But both trips were wonderful and it's a great time of year to visit!

I went in Moose in early October about 3 years ago, and camped on Knife, Vera and Ensign. There were some other people out, but nothing like during the summer months. Most campsites were unoccupied and I only encountered one other group on the portages into Knife. Very little tow boat traffic also.

Heading back after 30 years, one status note for an early-October entry: EP 25 (Moose Lake) is on the current open list under the 2026 fire closure order (Phase 9 Exhibit A, revised Aug 26), but it carries travel restrictions, and the order itself runs through Oct 1 at 12:01 pm CT. So the restrictions may lift right around your entry, or the order may be extended, depending on what the Forest Service posts next. Check the Superior NF alerts page and the current Exhibit A the week you leave rather than trusting any thread from now.

Permit side is easier than summer: from Oct 1, overnight permits are self-issued, no quota and no reservation scramble.

Thanks all - and specifically RonanWolf for the restriction advice. I'll definitely be looking into that before heading there. I don't think we'll be close to the fire area, but I'll keep an eye on the Forest Service updates.

Came out of Knife 08/28. No fire concerns at this time and the area is open. Good rains are reducing danger and the fire ban was lifted on the 25th. I would be hopeful but watch the reports. I saw some burn north and east of Eddy Falls but did not explore. People are coming through from Sag. Most campsites on Birch and Knife were occupied, but not all.
I love early October trips. Weather is the determining factor to how busy it will be as not having to make reservations allows people to take advantage of a nice spell. Most of these are short stay folk so if willing to travel six hours you will likely find a good site and some relative privacy.
Now back to the weather. I have experienced the nice spells, and I have arrived at camp and been wind bound for three days unable to have a fire as the grate was in the open and wind blew directly into the campsite. Never got above forty degrees. Did a lot of reading. And the weather can and does change rapidly. Watch the patterns as your trip approaches.

You don’t mention the route you want to take. For a four day trip in October you might want to consider Wind Lake. It is a short paddle from the Moose Lake landing to the Wind portage. Then no motorboats. You can base camp there and take trips to nearby lakes or do a loop. Weather conditions can vary. Have seen upper 80s and also seen flurries. It can change fast so be prepared.