We're fine-tuning our fast-approaching 4-day, most of which will be spent on Basswood (after entering at Fall Lake/EP 24). I've posted about this trip before, but as we're up to 7 people -- mostly newbies -- in 4 boats, I thought I'd ask one more set of questions of those who know the area.

We will probably have two full days on Basswood and wonder how we might divide our time up. Options include: explore Jackfish Bay; visit Basswood Falls, for an hour or a day; paddle along the US border as far as Prairie Portage before returning along the same route; paddle through Hoist and Back Bays on our return, portaging to Pipestone Bay.

As well as seeking general thoughts, I have a few specific questions. Answers to any one or more would be helpful.

--We're hoping to score two of the first-come, first-serve campsites in the Fall Lake campground for Wednesday night. How early should we get there to have a reasonable shot at getting them?
--Any places we shouldn't miss along the route?
--Any places we might avoid? (too crowded, not worth the effort, etc.)
--We plan to swing by Basswood Falls but don't want to do a 340-rod portage if we can see most of the sights with a day-hike. Is it worth it to haul the boats up to the Basswood River?
--If we do, we'll need to camp near the base of the falls...Are those sites often full?
--How is Basswood when it blows? Typical swell size? The map looks like the shoreline has lots of places to duck in for shelter, but what's the reality?
--Has anyone done the 70-rod portage between Back and Pipestone Bays? What's it like?
--Can't seem to find any maps showing the areas where powerboats are forbidden...can anyone outline them for me?
--Lastly, do you need a passport to go through Canadian Customs at Prairie Portage? We are thinking about an alternate route, exiting instead at EP 25 on Moose Lake, but one of us will have only DL/Birth Cert. Also, is there a place to drop a vehicle at EP 25?

Thanks in advance as always!

i cant help ya. but man...what great, specific, detailed, to the point questions! nicely done. it sure beats "i have my first canoe trip coming up, please help". hahaha

chad9477, I can't answer all those but will share what I know. Look on your map of Jackfish Bay, the narrows at the northern end are where the motors are banned. Basswood Falls are definitely worth the trip but are before the portage. Which was one of the buggiest I have been on but is more or less level. But if your not going to keep going West there is no point in traveling it. Be careful not to miss that bay that takes you to the falls. We did and paddled about a mile into Canada(whops) before we realized it. There was some traffic when we were there but we still scored the first campsite below the falls. Very nice site with a water fall to sing you to sleep. I would recommend getting there fairly early to get a good site. Good smallmouth fishing right bellow the falls if your into that. Caught some good numbers and a really nice one there.

Basswood, like any large lake, can get choppy when the wind picks up. Just try to have at least one competent paddler to a canoe. Pay attention to the weather and you should be fine. You seem like quite the planner and want to go in knowing as much as possible, that's good.

Have not been East of Pipestone Bay so I got nothing for ya there. Have a good trip. (the second photo is from our campsite)

Oh yeah, the Fisher map I have of the Basswood area shows motor routes. Not sure if Fisher still does this as mine is four years old. Visit Fishers web site and see. My map shows that Newton Lake, Pipestone, Jackfish, Back and Hoist Bays are all motor routes. Along with the Bay North of Hoist and Back up to the Northeast edge of Washington island. Along the border with Canada and down into Moose lake. It is possible that these have changed in the last four years.

Chad,
When are you heading in? I'm going in on the 25th, straight to upper basswood falls from fall lake. I'm planning on basecamping and fishing all that fast water. Any chance of running into you? The motor zone ends right where the red line stops at the top of jackfish bay. Camp sites at the top of the falls just before the portage fill up quick, since I basecamp and it takes the better part of a day to get there I am planning on getting a good site on the second day as groups get up and move out. Definitely the earlier you get there the better.

I will try and answer some of the questions not replied to so far:

The portage between back bay and pipestone couldn't be any easier. Flat, wide, and short, easy landings both sides.

The reality of wind of Basswood is something to clearly keep in mind. The lake sits in a poor direction for the prevailing winds, meaning if it starts blowing from the south west, you can get major issues. Just pay attention, understand where you need to be when, and IMO, if you need to paddle somewhere, get to that spot in the morning, then fart around, sight see very locally to that location. Don't plan on going far in the mid/late afternoon across big water sections. That may not happen. Don't take chances on big water crossings when windy. Stop and wait.

Chad,
I was on Basswood last month to explore the lake. We covered 55 miles in 4 days as it was my first time on Basswood. Here is a trip report down below. We started at Prairie Portage and worked our way west to Washington Island U.S. Point, Upper Basswood Falls and then worked our way to Jackfish Bay, Hidden Bay, Pipestone Bay, Back Bay, Hoist Bay, Good Creek, Good Lake, Indiana Lake, Wind Bay, Wind Lake, and out at Moose Lake.
Basswood was beautiful. We had great weather and some not so great as far as wind and rain.

I liked the falls area of course. I did not like Jackfish Bay. Too many motor boats and it was windy when we crossed. That is big water for sure. Pipestone was big too but I liked it much better. We did the 70 rod portage from Pipestone to Back Bay. Pretty easy and nice. Back Bay and Hoist were nice. Not as crowded there. It was a great trip. Skeeters were pretty bad but should be better by now.
Have a great trip. moss13 Basswood Lake Trip Report June 2008

Thanks once again for the help, everyone. We just got back and had a fine paddle. Will post a trip report asap. -Chad