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cmanimal
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It's always been dependent on the make up of the group. In the last several years as experience and abilities of the group (participants vary) has increased we've exclusively become movers, usually doing a loop and always chasing down some waterfalls.
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prettypaddle
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We used to move every day and cover lots of ground. Now with two young kids we get in a lake lake or two and base camp for a few nights. In four of five years I hope to be back to a mostly mobile tripping style.
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Michwall2
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Traveller here. I have done a couple of trips with less travel, but, I like to see the countryside and find new places.
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TrailZen
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For many years our 'standard' Quetico trip has been 10 days and 100-125 miles. We're moving every day unless wind- or rain-bound.
TZ
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sedges
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Sort of transitioning from a mover to a base camper. From the 1960s to 2016 I was a mover. A 10-14 day trip might have a lay over or two for bad weather. In 2016 I injured my foot on the first day. It was a bad bruise and I could still travel, but was concerned about it developing into a chronic issue. I moved to Cherokee Lake, a new lake for me and spent 3 nights. I explored the lake over the days I was there and then move back towards my put-in spending two nights on Long Island Lake.
My foot healed up just fine at home, but I found an appreciation for base camping. As I age my trips have more multi-day camps. I have found that travel more than three days in a row leaves me exhausted. I can envision 10 days on Brule Lake base camping and making day trips to all parts of the lake and to the Temperance Lakes. Not there yet, but I would like to continue visiting the canoe country into my 80s if I make it that far.
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Spartan2
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We were always movers. About 20 years into our canoe-tripping "career" we started taking an occasional layover day, and that is how I liked it best. We did one base-camping trip, but it wasn't intentional; my husband became ill and we just stayed in one place. It was OK, but not a favorite. We liked to keep moving and see other sights/sites. We didn't fish, so I am sure that was a factor.
The Unintentional Base-camping Trip
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BearBurrito
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I do both. When I am solo I move every day. When my kids are along we basecamp.
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24kGold
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I go to Quetico to fish. I have found a great hot spot that produces numbers and sizes every year.
I base camp for that reason.
I used to do loops and I've seen a lot of Quetico, so I'm happy now to set up camp once and fish my little heart out from sun up to sun down. Wish I was there now.
I find myself wishing a lot these days.
Terry
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egknuti
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I do a combination of both. I spend at least two nights at each lake-sometimes up to five depending on how the fishing is.
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rertel
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We do that, too. Base camp for 5 or 6 six days maybe 2-3 portages from entry.
Fish, eat, drink, be merry, and get lighter. Then start moving and do a loop.
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Outdoorsfan69
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Always been a basecamper. The only time I go from lake to lake is to possibly get closer to the take out.
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Abbey
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Usually base camp for a 3-4 night trip or double base camp for a longer trip. Big travel days at start/finish and like to pick areas with lots of day trip options.
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MHS67
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I guess mostly a base camper. Like to spend more time fishing and exploring.
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inspector13
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Abbey: "inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
I’m interested in this study. Very surprised that it would only be 13%. Maybe that number has a different denominator than I assume (counts day trips? Motor permits not counted?). Or maybe how the question was asked. I could see only 13% stating fishing as the primary reason for visiting, but not that only 13% of visitors fish at all.
Is there a link or a year or title to this study to track down the reference? "
Ooops, I must retract. USFS 2007 survey. It looks like the number I gave came from the general population. See page 23-24. If I would have actually read the study rather than skim it, I would have seen that 77% of BWCAW visitors in 2007 reported fishing with 35% of them saying it was their major reason for being there. See page 11.
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aruthenb
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Hydbrid myself, I am normally with my wife and kids (Ages 7 & 11) so we will camp at a spot for 1-2 nights and then move on. The down days are nice for fishing and swimming and then everyone gets restless and wants to move on.
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CityFisher74
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Base camper here, mostly due to fishing. Not afraid to go really deep in but once there we stay put and get to know the fishing spots. Something about having a tidy camp set up and knowing you'll be there for a few days is really cool. Have been wanting to do a big loop trip soon though and just bring one 2 piece rod for kicks.
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missmolly
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What's it called when you camp for three to five days and then mosey to another lake? That's what I do.
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Wally13
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Generally a base camper as I and the guys I usually paddle with are fishermen.
For me the ultimate is staying in a 4 or 5 star campsite for several days and catching fish.
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AmarilloJim
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When I was younger I would have loved to base camp more to find good fishing spots. Now that I am older and a better fisherman, I prefer to move most days. I enjoy finding and figuring out the patterns as much as the actual catching these days. Of course I have the luxury of being able to sit on schools of fish on my local lake.
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Gadfly
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Mostly base camp but we do move from time to time depending on goals.
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blutofish1
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Base camper here. I fish and sometimes need time to find a pattern. It is usually just the wife and me and she prefers to fish and stay put at a nice campsite.
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buzz17
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We are there to fish. I am a 99% base camper. Someday I would like to take a long solo and explore to fill that 1%.
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SinglePortage
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I am definitely a base camper, I love to catch and eat fish too much to move every day. I do change base camps every 4-5 days on longe trips, but I still call that base camping.
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andym
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We are definitely in the blended category. We will move daily, stay for an extra day at a nice site, or up to 5 days at a really great location.
BTW, we don't fish but I always thought that put us in the vast minority of people visiting the BW.
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burrow1
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Movers but allow 1 day for weather related delays and usually stay an extra day on our last camp
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sns
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Based on my most recent observations, I'd say 80% basecampers, but I am sure reality is very different.
We tend to move every other day...solo I might move more or at least have a several day paddle to a destination, layover a few nights, and then continue on or home.
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LindenTree
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I am a mover, the most I can stay around camp is for a layover day on a 4-5 nite trip, otherwise it is a new site each day.
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geotramper
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So I went through the thread and recorded whether people said they were a mover, base camper, or hybrid/both. In some cases, people said "I usually do X, but sometimes I do Y." In those cases, I counted X. Totally non-scientific, and I'm sure people would count some judgement calls differently, but here is where I ended up:
Move - 34% (n=23)
Hybrid/Both - 31% (n=21)
Base camper - 34% (n=23)
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andym
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inspector13: "
Ooops, I must retract. USFS 2007 survey. It looks like the number I gave came from the general population. See page 23-24. If I would have actually read the study rather than skim it, I would have seen that 77% of BWCAW visitors in 2007 reported fishing with 35% of them saying it was their major reason for being there. See page 11.
"
That sounds more like what I would have expected. From a quick read it sounds like they surveyed each person over 15 in a group. So, the percentage of groups in which someone fished may be higher than 77%. For instance, even though I don't fish, most of our trips have had someone who is fishing.
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Mad_Angler
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I go Memorial Day. During that trip, we basecamp and fish.
We also go in the summer. During those trips, we move every other day.
I've never tried moving every day but I think I will give that a try on our next summer trip.
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johndku
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We've gotten into a routine of 4 campsites on a 7 night trip. That rhythm just seems to work for us.
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straighthairedcurly
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Move everyday. Might take one layover day if out for 7+ days. I get extremely restless base camping. I don't fish. I like moving and covering new ground. Typically do a loop.
The only time I have base camped was the time I had broken my ankle just a couple weeks before the trip. Portaging was slow for me so we just did 2 portages then stayed put before portaging the same 2 portages back out.
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djwillco
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Usually depends on the group I'm with. However, my personal preference is to move 2-3 times in a trip and cover a little territory.
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Mo63021
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We are base campers here. Mostly to a middle sized lake a few (3 or so) portages away from EP or border and close to other lakes for day fishing, etc. However, the last trip to Quetico was a few nights in Sheridan and 3 nights in That Man Lake. Then a few bushwhacking portages back to Carp for a few more nights before leaving. So, I guess that makes us a hybrid on this trip.
Going in EP 14 next weekend and hope to get to be a little bit away from the rush of people by going into Lynx or Heritage,,,,,,be my fist time back fully in the BWCAW since 1972.
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bwcadan
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Basecamper here with one move OK to upgrade the site.
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HappyHuskies
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Move every day. Haven't done a base camp trip in over 20 years, but that is not too say there are no base camping trips in my future. Time will tell.
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MichiganMan
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I'd say a hybrid of the two strategies. Fishing is always a big part of our trips, but we don't mind hard travel days to get to cool places. Basecamping on one site for a week is a little too sedentary for me. However, staying on a lake even for several days offers the ability to get to know a lake much more intimately than if you're just pounding through and occasionally glancing at the shore. You get to know where the weedbeds, the walleye reefs, and the good drop-offs are, and the cool nooks and crannies of the lake. Plus, even when we're camped on one site for a few days, we take some pretty aggressive day trips to explore other areas.
Of course I'm not being critical of anyone with a different strategy. That's the beauty of canoe tripping- you can do it however you want, and no way of doing it is wrong as long as you aren't bothering anyone else.
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Duckman
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I have a bad habit of doing a long forced paddle/march in, then base camp, then long paddle/march out on the last day.
Seems I end up doing it every trip even though I recognize that in some ways I'm taking away from the travel/wandering part of the trip.
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Savage Voyageur
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I used to be 4 campsites in 7 day group. The last 10 years I’ve been a base camper. More time to fish, relax, day trip, explore, but mostly fish.
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mutz
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Total base campers our typical trip we overdo it going as far as possible the first day with too much fresh food and comfort items. We camp on lakes with good fishing, with multiple good Fishing lakes around for day trips. Coming out is much easier And faster without the Weight of the fresh food packs. For some it’s the scenery and canoeing, for us if the fishing wasn’t good we would be somewhere else.
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joeandali
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Mover. I usually build in a layover day or two in the plan but have only used them once for weather. I just travel a little less for two days and keep moving.
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yellowcanoe
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Mover though there is one lake we may stay on for two sometimes three nights.
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Bearpath9
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Basecamper for now. Since my partner is learning (along with his grampa) I don't want to overdo it yet. We were going to go to LIS this August, a move every day trip, but that is on hold for now. Basecamping at the moment gives him time to explore and develop an appreciation for the wilderness, not to mention developing his skills in the outdoors.
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Voyager
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Mover, don't fish anymore, but love to paddle. It doesn't seem to matter if I've been to the areas several times, it always seems fresh and new. I try to rotate the entry points to keep the trips exciting. We don't paddle 8 hour days anymore, probably more like 6. Getting old I guess.
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gkimball
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In the younger days I was a backpacker who moved almost every day simply because I was usually short of time and wanted to see as much of the area possible, but I also longed to see the place in deeper detail because I knew I was missing a lot of what the place offered.
Now retired, I am a hybrid, with trip length still loosely determining the format. 2-4 nights will be base camping. 5-6+ will be "3 night stays with a move in between, or something like that."
I like to stay in a site a minimum of 3 nights because it allows travel to camp the first day; hang around camp the next day to rest and see the little things never seen if you were moving; day trip / explore the next day; move on the day after that based on the route and available time and weather.
Repeat if there are enough days.
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Wables
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With small kids along it is base camping, otherwise I move, even though my focus is on fishing. On a 9 day trip we paddle hard for 2 days, trolling of course, have a layover day, then pack up every morning and fish our way back to the EP, setting up camp around dinner time. Much easier to do in the Q. We probably won’t attempt that next week going East from Moose. Lots of people up there right now.
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BoxofRain
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Hybrid kind of guy, if the site is nice and the fishing is good... But still like to get around
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fishnfreak
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In the middle somewhere.
We usually base camp for the first 3 nights and concentrate on fishing. Then the next 3-4 nights we move from lake to lake and explore more and fish less.
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TominMpls
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I interpret the OP's query as being whether there's data on this - not an anecdotal report on what people do. I'm not aware of data; I design social science research studies at UMN so designing such a study would be right up my alley, if somebody is interested in proposing the study for funding with the Forest Service and actually running it.
But to add my anecdata, I'm absolutely a mover. Changing sites every day is my norm except when I'm doing trail clearing.
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Abbey
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inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
I’m interested in this study. Very surprised that it would only be 13%. Maybe that number has a different denominator than I assume (counts day trips? Motor permits not counted?). Or maybe how the question was asked. I could see only 13% stating fishing as the primary reason for visiting, but not that only 13% of visitors fish at all.
Is there a link or a year or title to this study to track down the reference?
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pastorjsackett
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We are typical basecampers. Love to go far the first day to a good lake, then explore that lake and plan fun day trips. We get to know the fishing spots and still do some exploring without having to pack up daily and hit the trail. We just got back from Stuart Lake, it was really fun but pretty crowded. I was suprised how many people were staying there longterm.
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schweady
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Did some loops of daily travel when younger. Basecamp exclusively now. Number of portages covered on entry to our base lake have ranged from 0 to 9. Set up for 3 nights and combine fishing the base lake or day tripping to interesting sites in the area - waterfalls, overlooks, pictographs, etc
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inspector13
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WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
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allfish
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We come in heavy, tackle/food/drink, and base camp!
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IndyCanoe
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We have done a little bit of each. Our first 3 trips were base camp only before we tried a loop moving each day.
Last year we tried a new method of moving every other day on the loop out of Mudro up through Crooked. That might be our favorite combining a little bit of each style. Still get to cover a lot of ground but have plenty of relaxing days and time for fishing.
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Bushman
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Hybrid
A new site each of the first two days as we get away from the entry point then hole up on a good site for two or three nights and then a new site each day on the way back out. All of this depends on availability of course. Especially as we near the exit point where many of the sites are usually taken.
The best part for us is we stay in the bunkhouse at VNO the night we come out so we can spend all day paddling to get back to the car if need be.
As long as we get back in time for a steak dinner and a cold beer at the steakhouse we are good to go.
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fishEH
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My buddy and I are fishermen, so it really depends on the fishing.
If we're headed to a really good lake we'll pound out 15+ miles the first day and then base camp.
Other times times we will plan a loop and stop where the fishing is good.
There have also been times we have completely changed gears. One of the most memorable trips was one of these. By the second day we realized our destination lake was not producing the fish we wanted. We paddled to a giant rock island and stood at the very top. We were able to get just enough cell signal to reach Voyageur North Outfitters. They were able to secure another entry permit for our group of 4 for the next day. The next day we killed ourselves paddling out, driving to Ely, picking up the permit and some cold fired chicken, and putting back in an paddling to camp. The fishing was significantly better and well worth it.
There's so many variables involved that make each trip unique. I will say that if we were to move every day I doubt we would bother fishing at all.
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cowdoc
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Mostly mover....2 nights tops in one spot
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WhiteWolf
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It probably depends on time of year (fishing opener more basecampers etc) but I'am thinking something along the lines of 60-65% movers and 35-40% basecampers. Thoughts?
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Big Tent
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Always base camp and fish, usually on an EP lake. Can bring many of the comforts that way.
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woodsandwater
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Always traveling day to day as have done for 25 years or so. Usually to complete a loop.
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billconner
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Mover here.
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jcavenagh
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I prefer moving at least every other day.
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nctry
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I was a mover. Even on my 40 day trip I couldn’t spend more then two nights on a lake. I was always excited to travel. Base camped this May... my heart is moving. Now with my physical condition I can’t paddle without pain (unless I’m loaded with drugs)... I still have hope for solutions. Canoeing gave me the opportunity to see a part of creation that many will never see. I like to fish, travel and explore. Whatever you like I encourage you to do things your way. Don’t be afraid to push yourself, but not to where it isn’t fun. With people you need to compromise. Whatever I hope and pray the border to our north opens and again soon people can again inhabit Canadian waters... I’d encourage people to check out other options. Many non bwca places to explore. Try a chunk of the upper Mississippi... just go...
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AdamXChicago
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Combo. Usually try to stay 2-3 nights per campsite, except for entry night and night before exit. Weather and fishing results can change that plan a bit...
AdamX
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TuscaroraBorealis
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Suppose I'm a blend of a hybrid. When I get to a camp I usually like to spend at least a couple of days, and then move on to the next. Rinse and repeat. 
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dex8425
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Mover here. I've never spent more than one night in the same spot on a BWCA trip. We don't fish either.
I'd guess it's about 50/50. The EP lake campsites seem to get pounded and some are gross by early September from all the traffic.
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boonie
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cowdoc: "Mostly mover....2 nights tops in one spot"
Pretty much me too.
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Ausable
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WhiteWolf: "It probably depends on time of year (fishing opener more basecampers etc) but I'am thinking something along the lines of 60-65% movers and 35-40% basecampers. Thoughts?"
Maybe it might make a good research project for a couple of USFS interns. It would have to be carefully designed and with a large random sample to get meaningful results.
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Northwoodsman
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It depends on whom I'm with and what time of the year. I like to move every other night. I can stay in one spot for 3 nights, but I can also move every night if I don't have to get stressed over finding a good site (shoulder seasons). So I guess that makes me a "mover"?
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Jackfish
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Mostly basecamper because our group loves to fish, but I've done trips where we've moved almost every day, too. I enjoy them both. Hard to move after finding a dandy 4 or 5 star campsite.
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scramble4a5
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Have been a base camper but this year we are moving a couple of times.
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moray
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Always a base camper. Set up on a 5 star site and fish.
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smoke11
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Base camper here
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billconner
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Feels like a poll of fish or don't fish would run very parallel. I am surprised to see so many base campers, but then I don't fish. Interesting.
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fadersup
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TuscaroraBorealis: "Suppose I'm a blend of a hybrid. When I get to a camp I usually like to spend at least a couple of days, and then move on to the next. Rinse and repeat. "
Yarp.
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Doc_of_the_bay
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Mixed. I move almost every day, but lay over an extra day once in a while. I only fish casually, and prefer to visit as many places as I can. When I do lay over, I make day trips to nearby lakes, where I may or may not fish.
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x2jmorris
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I usually work my ass off on the first day and then relax at one spot for the rest of the trip. Some day trips mixed in but return to base.
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HighnDry
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Mover also.
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Savage Voyageur
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inspector13: "WhiteWolf: "Thoughts?"
If fishing is any indication of who base camps or travels, in the last survey the US Forest Service took, it found that only 13% of BWCAW visitors fished. Some people fish while traveling, so that may suggest that 10% or less base camped during that survey period.
"
Wow, that’s a really Low percentage of visitors that fish. I would have thought it was closer to 60%. Fishing rods and gear are the first things I pack for a trip.
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QuietSolo
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Base camp with day trips. This season will be the first in which I camp on multiple lakes.
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WhiteWolf
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Throw me in the basecamper crowd unless I'am with my Kruger Challenge crew though that really doesn't count. Like to go hard for a long day in and set up camp on a decent fishing lake like so many other basecampers. Might ease the trip out -- case in point start trip with one long day into Iron via the Stew River. But on way out, smell the roses on Stuart Lake.
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Freeleo1
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We mostly stay 2 to 3 nights per camp, then I get bored and want to see another place. I depends too, on if you do a loop or a through trip. You can see more varied areas if you move daily on a longer route. Our first trip we moved every night but 2 of the 9. It felt more adventurous seeing new areas every day, but staying in camp for 2 nights allowed us to take showers and do laundry.
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WIstoney
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Base camp. And then take day trips to other lakes, hiking trails, water falls, pictographs...whatever in the area is of interest.
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arctic
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Always a mover, except for one early season base camp trip.
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LarryS48
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Mostly a mover. I plan to move on about 2/3 or 3/4 of the time. That leaves some time for layover days. That way if the weather gets bad I can layover and not worry about paddling in the wind or rain and not completing my trip on schedule. If the weather is nice and I've been working hard, a rest day can be nice. So, for a typical 10 day/9 night trip, I'll plan camp in 6 or 7 different spots. As the trip progresses, I can change the plan as need be.
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