Hi all. I have been lurking on the board for a few months but this is my first post.

A group of us (4 in 2 canoes) are coming to experience the BWCA in a few weeks time. We enter EP#16 on 26 August for 6 days paddling. We currently have an option of any viable exit point as we'll be transported by our outfitter. I know that our outfitter will advise us on routes, but I'm just looking for some opinion or tales of experiences to get me (even more) excited!

We are really looking forward to the idea of canoe-camping in solitude, so are looking to get onto a relatively quiet route (considering our EP). Although I like the thought of a few things of interest to see on route (I am aware of the waterfalls, pictos, and hills to climb in the area particularly from reading posts on this forum, so thanks!), I am really hoping to see lots of wildlife.

A lot of the trip reports focus on things like fishing or on the route itself, which is great information, but not many talk about wildlife sightings. It seems that we might only see one or two 'critters' over the 6 days - is this because seeing chipmunks and squirrels is just normal to you guys, or is the wildlife really quite sparse?

And with this in mind, in the BWCA forum member's opinion, is there a route to maximize the chances of seeing some wildlife (eagles, loons, beaver, otters and other stoat-like creatures, squirrels etc.) in addition to traveling quietly around dawn and dusk? I am aware that to see anything larger is very much luck on the day and unlikely over a 6 day trip. I would also love to hear wolves howling, but in truth I wouldn't choose a 6 day route in the hope we might hear a wolf howl in one particular area, over a route that has more scenery and more chance of seeing smaller and more prevalent wildlife. Obviously we'll know nearer the time what the weather and water levels will be like, giving us a better idea of whether rivers or big lakes are a better route for us; but do you guys have an opinion of good routes to consider?

You will more than likely see loons, eagles, beaver,deer, and those pesky chipmunks and squirrels. These are all very common, and I see them on every trip.
Unfortunately less common are moose sightings, wolves howling at night.
I have on a number occasions heard the wolves, but it doesn't happen on every trip. Perhaps it's because I'm sound asleep. We were hiking the Superior Hiking Trail a couple years ago, and a few in the party heard wolves one night, and they seemed rather close, but I was unconscious, and missed it.
Have a great time on your trip....And WELCOME to the board

Thanks! That puts my mind at ease somewhat. Getting very excited now!

I rarely see deer inside BWCA - on the way there? yep!

Otter are another rarity for me, though FUN when I have seen them.

Eagles, keep your eyes on the highest trees around, and remember only mature Bald Eagles have the white head - other eagles will be mottled dark brown, but still eagles.

YES to traveling early and eyes out at dusk.

You cannot avoid seeing evidence of beaver, and very likely the animal itself (if there is a lodge near where you camp, just sit and watch at dusk, as they get to work - and don't be alarmed if you hear them at night, they work straight through sometimes!).

Chipmunks and squirrels should entertain you easily and often.

Loons, mergansers, and other waterfowl are plentiful but still exciting to see up close.

Depending on where you camp, your local black bear may make his campsite rounds at night... listen for some heavy breathing or something heavy walking around. Keep a clean camp and he won't bother you at all but will pass right on by. I'm certain I've had several visits that I slept through, and two that I heard. If you get to see one, that will be a treat.

Have a great trip, you sound well prepared!!

I'd like to see Adam consider adding a 'Wildlife Sightings Forum' where folks can post stories.

Not a private group for members. I think everyone who visits this board are interested in wildlife tales.

Just a thought.

If you were to look at the photos in my trip reports you wouldn't see moose photos (we have seen quite a few moose, but the trips I have reported on here don't happen to have been the lucky ones), but you would see beaver, lots of squirrels and chipmunks, lots of waterfowl. We do see deer quite a bit now, almost every trip. We saw otters on our last trip, but I wasn't quick enough with the camera.

Chipmunks and squirrels are pests in camp--be careful to keep your food out of their reach. Ditto for the mice.

We have had showshoe hares in our campsite in the BW. One time on Pine Lake we had a virtual hare party--there were about a dozen of them frisking around in the evening all over the site. They didn't seem to mind our presence at all.

You might see small animals like mink or fisher, too. And birds are always entertaining. People have mentioned the eagles, but don't forget to enjoy the Canada Jay (sometimes called "Whiskey Jack") who will sometimes come into your campsite looking for a handout, or the wonderfully silly and bold grouse.

You will hear and see the loons and probably many ducks, too. We often see great blue herons, especially if we are in a creek-like environment or along a weedy shore. Of course that can be a good place for a moose sighting, too.

If you are quiet and always looking, you will see wildlife. Don't feed them, just enjoy them.

If you want to see more wildlife keep your eyes and ears open on portages. Sometimes I like to move slowly and quietly across a portage to see what I might be able to see or hear. More often then not you'll hear wildlife before you see it. The forest up there is so dense in spots you can't really see the animals until they get into a clearing or right at the waters edge.

You may see an eagle or two but make sure to do your homework before hand on the difference between an eagle and a turkey vulture. I can't count how many times I've heard or seen someone yell "hey look at all the eagles" when in fact its been a group of turkey vultures. Either way they can be cool birds but the vultures don't seem to carry the same appeal for most people.

25 years ago, deer were a rarity...but now I see one nearly every trip.

I have seen maybe 4 bears in the 27 years, I have been taking canoe trips. None of them in MY camp. Almost everytime I see them walking along the lake shore. One time ransacking a sloppy campers campsite.
As mentioned...keep a clean camp.
If you are entering at #16 you will also see Gulls. Especially in the Warrior Hill area.

I have seen otters on my last two trips. Last fall I followed a family of 6, for quite awhile, when I was paddling out of East Bearskin Lake.

If you get really lucky you might see a pine marten--saw my first one ever this spring. They are a house-cat sized member of the weasel family, light brown in color, very arborial. Google a picture of one before you go so you will recognize it quickly. Have a jolly good time!

Bigger mammal sightings from this week's trip: Deer across the lake on Fourtown, bear crossing the highway south of Hibbing.

I've seen a fisher twice in the last year. Both times along HWY 61 in the Tofte, and Lutsen area.

You will almost without a doubt see the following:

Loons, Eagles, seagulls, pine squirrels, chipmunks.

I've been going to the Boundary Waters & Quetico for 15 years and have only seen 2 beavers and one moose in the parks. I saw a mink (I think, weasel family member regardless) once as well.

Driving to or from the parks I've seen bears, moose, and last year a wolf!

As so many people have said, if you're quiet you'll see more animals. Don't bang paddles on the gunnels, drag feet across gravelly bottoms of boats, or talk loud and you may see some things.

Last week we saw beaver on Sawbill and a family of deer swimming across Kelso (from the other end of the lake, we thought it was moose at first! But alas just deer. This was the first time we've ever seen deer in the boundary waters.) Loons, chipmunks, red squirrels everywhere.

Previous trip wildlife sightings include eagles, otters and moose. Though we haven't seen moose inside the BW in more than a decade. Several times on the Gunflint Trail on our way up though.

Welcome to the board and have a great trip!

In 7 trips I have seen bear, deer, moose, beaver, otter, fisher, grouse, loons, ducks, jays, eagles, heron, gulls, various small songbirds, squirrels (red and black), chipmunks, mice, garter snakes, turtles, fish (of course), crayfish, and a variety of bugs (even the mosquito!). I have not seen a wolf, but have heard them and seen their tracks and scat (very fresh!). I have not seen a lynx or bobcat, but there have been a couple of sightings. Some are seen every trip, others very frequently, some infrequently, and some I have not seen.

Your route options will depend on your group's experience, capabilities, and desires. Some routes are shorter, some longer, some involve more portaging, others more paddling, some are more rugged, others more remote.

Had a Pine Marten in camp last year and saw a Fisher along Winchell's north bank this year.

Just my opinion here....

As stated you are all but guaranteed to see some birds/animals. But, it's that unexpected wildlife encounter that can make a trip even more special.

Really most any trip can potentially produce these. If you are looking to encounter a particular animal there may be certain routes that increase your odds. But, I would just plan your trip based on other interests, than hope that it is enhanced by a special animal encounter.

IMHO that's one of the great unknown "wildcards" about doing a wilderness trip. Ya just never now exactly what you'll run across. Animal

I agree with most of the others in their findings. In the 15 + trips I've made I have never been lucky enough to have seen a moose. Two years ago my father and I were lucky enough to watch three wolves running across a hillside while paddling.

I also seem to have luck seeing either a mink, otter, or pine marten. A couple of my favorite are the Snapping turtle (and his smaller cousins), the Grey Camp Jay (as we call them), and I actually like the squirels and especially the chipmunks. They make camp time very entertaining (but we also keep out food clossed and properly stored at all times).

I find the best chance to see wildlife is of course in the early daw or late evening when all is calm and very quiet.

Keep an open ear and a sharp eye and keep those fingers crossed.

have a great time. (Don't forget a trip report when you get back)

It's been a few years since I've been up EP16, but there were many trips through there with multiple moose sitings. If you can be the first group through the Moose and Nina Moose Rivers in the morning, you stand a decent chance of spotting a Bullwinkle. Have a great trip!

We went in EP 16 this June. We were the first down the path on Sunday morning and heard a moose get up a blow a LOT of hot air through its nose (sounded like a very stern warning) just yards of the trail in some thick brush and then walk away. I've never seen my wife so startled.

The rest of the five day trip we saw a swimming moose (cow), three beavers, two otters, a pair of fishing loons right off our site, some bald eagles, a grouse along a portage and plenty of seagulls. Thankfully, we saw plenty of fish too.

I have yet to hear the wolves howl. The way I sleep they'd have to be in the bag next to me.

if your into wildlife go to entry point map and click on the blue balloon on alder lake you will love this pic(not my pic) wildlife i've seen ... a bear coming out of the lumber yard out of grand marais.. driving up the trail one year saw what i thought was a timber wolf carrying a huge beaver in its mouth across the gunflint trail(everyone else was sleeping) and in the fall of 1995 me and my buddy came across more than 1 moose after a cow and we were within 10 feet of a trophy bull moose on a portage from clearwater to west pike it was behind a huge tree and then we saw the cow back a little ways off the portage and we heard them walking around the next morning on our campsite, saw 2 fishers 1 in its winter colors and 1 when it was browner summer colors it wanted our hotdog buns that i didnt put away(go figure) AND 2 loons were right next to us while we were canoeing and they dived back and fourth on each side of the canoe(about 3 times) and then went out in front of us and lead us out of the small bay we were in, i'm talking like 3 to 5 feet feet the whole time it was amazing and super cool. and many more moose sightings. and i love the little chipmunks on the campsite they can get really close if your patient.

In my many trips in the BW and Q it has been a hightlight to see moose wolves bear and otters. And I can honestly say the far western portion of the BWCA in the less traveled lakes I see these animals 80% of the time. I have been to most parts of the BW and this area always produces. From wolves chasing a moose, to bears swimming accross the lake, to otters stealing your catch and so on.

Have not gone where you are going, so no route tips, but I guarantee you, you will see a host of wildlife.

When on your travels, keep an eye out along the shore. There is always something watching you lol.

We have seen moose the last two times we went. Very cool.

A few fishers, lots of beaver, otter, squirrels, chipmunks, turtles BIG and small. (don't keep your toes in the water too long lol)

Heard wolves this last trip as well. Distant, but they were there.

Of all the creatures up there, the Loon has got to be my favorite. Not so much looking at them, but when they start to sing in the evening. When everything is quiet and your laying there in your tent, their calls echo thru the area. AWESOME.

If your not an early riser naturally, set a watch alarm and get up just before the sun rises. Watching the BWCA come alive as the sun rises is simply amazing. Especially if you have a nice morning fog on the water.

Have an awesome trip and post a trip report when you return.

OK, i'll say this again click on the blue balloon (entry point map e. bearskin) alder lake. how many times do you see twins calves ? its a pic that just isnt seen to often. VN !

Loons, eagles, moose, deer, ground squirrels, red squirrels, flying squirrels, mice, walleye, pike, trout, smallmouth bass, beaver, vultures, mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, otters, grouse and a variety of other birds.

Heard..Wolves.

No bears, but I'm hoping to.

I have seen eagles, grouse, mergansers, jays, chipmunks, beaver, rabbits that have no fear, a pine marten, an otter who walked right by us on a Fourtown creek portage that was turning over rocks foraging for food ( it paid us no attention)and a multitude of songbirds I can't identify. No moose, bears or wolves but, hopefully someday.

Here is a brave rabbit that stuck around at the campsite sitting in the water for about an hour on Ogish.

I have 60 plus trips in my log.
Things I see on nearly every trip include:
Beavers, loons, mergansers, eagles, gulls, various ducks, snipe, owls, red and ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice.
Things I see often:
canada goose, turkey, falcons, grouse, woodcocks, otters, muskrats, pine marten, snakes, bats.
Things seen occassionally:
Swans, fishers, badgers, coyote, skunks, deer, fox, weasels,rabbits, moose, porcupine, racoon,
I've heard wolves howling (6 or 7 times)
Rarely Seen:
Deer, Wolves (twice)
Never:
Bear (which I find rather amazing to be honest)

Last year out of EP 16 I heard wolves howling on two nights, and saw a moose, otters and all the things I see on every trip.

Part of why I go to the BWCA is because of the animals. I've had really good luck with animal sightings (except for moose), and have found many species just by keeping my eyes peeled for them at all times.

One of the things I like about August and later for a trip is the year's crop of young animals are at a size where they are big, curious, and easier to see. A few years ago we ran into a group of three half grown pileated woodpeckers clumsily flying after an adult through the low trees. That is about as close as I've ever been to them before, they didn't panic when they saw us which was nice.

As for the wolves, I have no specific places picked out, but if you move around a bit, I think chances are good you'll hear them. One night near Ensign they wouldn't shut up, kept us awake for some time. :-)(This was late summer/early fall). One trip, a friend of mine had been practicing her wolf howls, and managed to get a small pack to howl back. I have tried but only unsuccessfully (less practice). We also saw one mid morning not fifty feet from the boat landing as we were leaving. So keep your eyes open the whole time you're up there.

One note about the squirrels, remember night is when the flying squirrels come out, so any skittering in the trees above can be an opportunity to see another species.

We've had grouse come up and peck our shoe laces (lots of standing still not making any eye contact or sudden movements), had grey jays land on everything, had fox kits playing at their den on the side of the road (on the way to the ep). My friend was drinking coffee early one morning and a moose swam by, then turned to swim to their campsite (she "chased" him off before he got out of the water).

If you see any tiny heads or spots out on the water, check them all out, don't assume it's another beaver, merganser, etc. That's how we found our first group of otter.

As for where to go, if you find you are on a route stuffed with people or on campsites trod into dust, try and get onto quieter lakes and be the first to walk down to the water and look for wildlife. Some of the most interesting waterfowl I've seen is the first to fly off.

I hope you see lots of wildlife! It would be great to know how you did when you come back. Post some pics for us maybe? Good luck!

Sometimes the wildlife will come see you.





he/she took a casual stroll through our campsite one morning on North Temperance Lake.

Megafauna's always rare, but on our trip up to Gun Lake via Entry Point 22, we saw deer and observed moose sign (pellets and tracks). Smallish to medium-sized mammals included white-footed deer mice, least chipmunks, red squirrels, snowshoe hares, river otter, beaver, and a first, a young fisher (photo). Last year on Agnes Lake I awoke to a wolf howling a couple hundred yards from my tent. Awesome.

Don't forget the abundant bird life. Often as it is, you hear these species before you actually see them. I enjoyed once again the songs of white-throated sparrows and ruby crowned kinglets on our trip to Gun last week. I also observed ruby-throated hummingbirds, American kestrels, bald eagles, turkey vultures, herring gulls, common mergansers, common loons (including chicks), American robins, common grackles, and common ravens. Consider bringing a bird field guidebook if you're not that familiar with birds. It's also nice to pack along a small set of binoculars. Enjoy!

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys!! That's a great read and it looks like we'll see plenty as long as we travel quietly and keep an ear / eye out.

Yes, we are just as happy seeing birds as much as mammals/amphibians/reptiles, especially as they will be species we don't have in the UK.

I'll make sure I report back when we're home in September!!

I don't know which route you'll choose, but the two times I heard wolves howl was on Finger and Gebeonequet Lakes. That was back in 2006 when I soloed from #14, LISN to Moose River #16. On Gebeonequet, they ran through my campsite in the middle of the night.

Just to pile on to what others have already said, a short story: Two years ago I went to a lake one portage into the BW for an opening day fishing trip. Since the lake has no campsites or portages to anywhere else, fishing is the only real reason to go there, hence little traffic. On the appointed day I walked the portage first with my hand saw since it was obvious no one else had used it that spring. As I finished cutting the last small deadfall at the end of the portage, I was curiously being watched by two moose. The walleye that cooperated made for a perfect day, two moose several walleye, no people.

On 13 trips, I've seen the following wildlife in the BWCA:

Bald eagles, common loons, seagulls, mergansers, wood ducks, owls, turkey vultures, grouse, crows, ravens, woodpeckers, grey jays and various song birds.

Beaver, pine marten, otter, mink, red squirrel, rabbit

Moose, deer, black bear

Snapping turtle, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, sunfish,.....

Haven't seen a wolf yet, but have heard them howl many times.

This is from a while ago I know, but was reading it and wanted to add two very likely spots I have each year: crayfish and snakes.

I think one of the primary reasons people don't see much wildlife is that they don't look for it. One must always be scanning the environment intent on seeing something of interest. Often the entire animal won't present itself but rather a portion.

Another reason is that the denizens of the forest will see you before you see them and melt away. Moose can ascertain your presence from surprising distances. So if critter viewing is high on your list then running silent should be high on your list. I also avoid bright colors and I often paddle near shore. On my first trip into the Quetico I spotted 3 bears.

And don't be afraid to pause at a portage and linger quietly. After even just 5 minutes of quiet time animals will go back about their business. This also goes while in camp. The animal sighting I am most pleased with revealed itself while I was reading/writing while in camp. A single solitary twig snapped behind my tent and I quickly gathered myself and stood perfectly still peering into the thick woods for at least 2 minutes. Then a Lynx cat (WCPP) comes ghosting along about 15 ft away. When it stopped it was almost indistinguishable from its surroundings even though I was looking directly at it. We looked directly at each other and then it slowly melted away. Seeing a Lynx in the wild is indeed a rarity for the outdoorsman.

That particular trip into Woodland Caribou was especially rife with wildlife sightings. I attribute it to divine intervention as my wife prayed before I left and specifically asked that I would see lots of animals but that I would be protected from them. The usual suspects all made an appearance but I was blessed with close encounters of a bear, several moose (including sharing a creek with a bull), a Woodland Caribou which I followed to shore while it was swimming (they are quite large) and the aforementioned Lynx......all on one 2 week trip.

In response to Shock re: the pic on Alder. That's my photo - thank you very much for the compliment. It was an absolute joy to be paddling out at sunrise with glass calm water and see the mom and calves at shore getting a drink. If you look closely at the water, you'll see lots of specks on the surface - those are the dead mosquitos from the previous night. Millions of them. :-)
Just saw your comment today while researching good wildlife routes. Happy camping!

You never really know what you will see or where you will see it. We had 2 wolves swim across Boot lake right in front of our campsite at dusk , and we then watched them hunt along the edge of a bog. This lake is neither remote nor lightly used. We have seen about every species that lives up there with the exception of a bear (plenty of tracks though). So far we have observed:
moose
wolves
fisher
pine marten
mink
muskrat
beaver
otter
red squirrel
chipmunk
trumpeter swans
bald eagles
bats
turkey vultures
ruffed grouse( cool to hear them drumming if you aren't familiar with them)
white tail deer( a large doe walked in to camp after swimming to our island and started eating clover not more than 6 feet from my wife who was cleaning up after dinner.She stayed with us for 30 minutes or so)
various ducks and mergansers
as well as quite a fascinating variety of reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and birds
Travel quietly and near the bank and check out lightly traveled areas even on busy lakes. Mostly, always be looking.

Take a battery powered bug whacker for each tent. Come at them from below for best results. Keep in a plastic bag when not in use to keep dry day and night. Anywhere from $3.99 to $15.00.

Just remember this place is not a zoo. Sightings are likely, but not guaranteed.