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buckeyevoyager
member (6)member
  
07/28/2015 02:27PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi everyone. I'm getting ready to head north for a relaxing trip basecamping on Iron Lake. This will be my 14th trip into the BWCAW/Quetico and a little different than the rest have been. Normally I head up in early June with buddies of mine to catch the fishing frenzy. This time I am introducing my girlfriend to the wilderness I love so much.We intend to visit the falls, relax, swim and explore a little. I have traveled through Iron Lake on 3 other trips but have never camped there. I am hoping that one of the campsites on the southern part of the lake would be a nice site kind of off the beaten path. I would appreciate any advice on camping, fishing etc. I have always fished Curtain Falls with great success but haven't wet a line anywhere else in the lake.Even though fishing is not my main objective on this trip,I couldn't imagine not bringing my tackle. Thank you to anyone who can help me out.
 
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Arkansas Man
Moderator
  
07/28/2015 04:25PM  
Only site I've stay at in Iron is 1834, second one on the right/south side as you enter from Bottle Lake. Huge boulder by the fire pit, relatively good tent site for one tent, and decent for others, but for the two of you it should be okay. Bivy trail was tight last time I was there, but it is an open point campsite, good breeze, and some good fishing from camp shallow sloping rocks for landing or swimming.

Bruce
07/28/2015 05:10PM  
Email me. Iron is my bread and butter.
buckeyevoyager
member (6)member
  
07/28/2015 06:11PM  
Whitewolf,

Sounds like you are the person I need to talk to. My email address is markdallen731@gmail.com

I hope to make this a memorable trip for my girlfriend.

I'm not sure what your email is. I'm not terribly computer savy.

Any help you can offer is much appreciated.


Mark
buckeyevoyager
member (6)member
  
07/28/2015 06:39PM  
Thanks Bruce, I appreciate the campsite info.
07/29/2015 05:37AM  
email sent.
canoerone
distinguished member (439)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/29/2015 09:57AM  
It is my humble opinion that the choice campsite on Iron Lake is the island campsite at the south-end of the lake, facing the inlet of the Beartrap River.
canoerone
07/29/2015 03:03PM  
+1
Arkansas Man
Moderator
  
07/29/2015 06:08PM  
I agree about the island site, but it is always taken when I have gone to Iron...

Bruce
buckeyevoyager
member (6)member
  
07/30/2015 11:56AM  
I will be checking out the island campsite. I lie the idea of being on the southern part of the lake, and I checked out a you tube video White Wolf suggested. Loved the big trees, sweet firepit and open spaces. As with any 5 star site, always a possibility it will be occupied, but I've been lucky before. Thanks to everyone that responded to my post. I will post a trip report when I get home.
CardinalNation
senior member (100)senior membersenior member
  
07/30/2015 05:32PM  
Maybe this map will help.

You might also try the bays on Crooked south of Curtain Falls.

buckeyevoyager
member (6)member
  
07/30/2015 08:24PM  
Good fishin info CN. Definitely gonna check out Peterson Bay. Been looking at that bay on the map for a long time and wondering about it. Thanks for your input.
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/30/2015 09:43PM  
The island site is nice but was taken earlier this spring for us. We scouted out a few others and decided the one closest to the falls was the best. Tons of room on the rocks, good tent pad, and pretty easy landing down the shore a bit.
08/01/2015 02:55PM  
Buckeye that's my map make sure you hit Peterson bay have caught nice walleye, smallest and crappie all the way up by the portage that goes into the bear trap river, jig the current
golds009
member (35)member
  
02/27/2021 07:19PM  
I typically enter Bottle Portage and head up to Argo. It looks like the border might be closed for summer 2021. So, I am considering entering again through Bottle Portage, and staying on Iron Lake, or moving up to Crooked Lake. Do you have comments on campsites and fishing in this area.
golds009@gmail.com
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
02/27/2021 07:44PM  
golds009: "I typically enter Bottle Portage and head up to Argo. It looks like the border might be closed for summer 2021. So, I am considering entering again through Bottle Portage, and staying on Iron Lake, or moving up to Crooked Lake. Do you have comments on campsites and fishing in this area.
golds009@gmail.com
"


It looks like you've already found the spot for a lot of that? No fires or floods or anything to have really changed the fishing or campsites lately
02/27/2021 08:53PM  
golds009: "I typically enter Bottle Portage and head up to Argo. It looks like the border might be closed for summer 2021. So, I am considering entering again through Bottle Portage, and staying on Iron Lake, or moving up to Crooked Lake. Do you have comments on campsites and fishing in this area.
golds009@gmail.com
"


You won’t be able to get a tow to Bottle on LLC assuming the border is closed (and you are coming from the US). Thus the fastest way to Bottle/Iron would be via EP 16. Lots of good campsites and fishing on Boulder Bay/southeastern portion LLC. Top of Lady Boot on LLC good for Lake Trout. Guessing you are familiar with Iron for fishing. Campsite on Iron closest to Curtain Falls is good. Not many sites on Sunday and Saturday Bays on Crooked but most are good. Saturday Bay for Bass if going early in the season.
 
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