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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Other Canoe Camping Locations :: Big Island Lake Wilderness
 
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shooper906
06/06/2024 03:52PM
  
I haven't been able to find an online community specifically related to wilderness and canoe camping in Michigan's U.P., but I have found quite a bit of inspiration in reading trip reports and even listening to podcasts about the BWCA. It also looks like the U.P. has come up several times in this forum over the years.

I've seen a few old posts related to the Big Island Lake Wilderness. I'm planning a 2 night solo trip there in July and am curious about others' experiences. I've heard it sees fairly low use compared to places like Pictured Rocks, Isle Royale, or even the Sylvania Wilderness. To those who have been before, how was it? What was your favorite lake? Did you fish or just paddle?
 
shooper906
06/06/2024 06:52PM
  
I'm definitely interested in Twilight. I'm wondering if it's too ambitious to get all the way there the first day though. I'm an avid brook trout fisherman and I noticed the DNR switched from brook trout to splake in both Twilight and Neds Lake. But I'm hoping to camp either on Klondike or Vance, kind of in the middle of it all and explore both directions.


I've done Craig Lake a couple times now. Definitely a favorite!


Pretty Lake area looks excellent too. I originally was planning a trout fishing trip that way this summer but that area is quite a bit further for me than BILW is.


Thanks for the reply!
 
bobbernumber3
06/06/2024 05:18PM
  
The first four lakes on the north end are close together with short, dry portages. Next couple can get muddy. Campsites are little used, but nice, and have a fire ring with grate. Be sure to grab the campsite on Twilight Lake and spend some time fishing for trout, artificial only. Portages on the south end are old logging roads, as I recall. I took my wife to BILW for a day-trip and she loved watching a loon up close.


It is a nice area, but in July be prepared for bugs.


Another area to check out is Pretty Lakes Quiet Area near Pine Stump Junction. Also Craig Lake State Park is Michigan's most remote state park.
 
bobbernumber3
06/07/2024 05:54AM
  
Take the Haywire Grade (snowmobile trail type road) North out of Steuben and you can get to Twilight by crossing only Byers Lake. There are a couple parking spots off the trail. I camped on Vance once and walked back to fish Twilight when the campsite was occupied. Have not been to Neds.
 
dschult2
06/11/2024 10:48AM
  
I have canoed BILW quite a bit and have quite a few videos up on my YouTube channel. I have put in from both sides and paddled all the way through. It is not a hard place to paddle. It is pretty lightly used with most people sticking to the first three lakes, Big Island, Townline, and Mid. Bugs could be bad still in July.

My favorite lakes are Klondike and Townline and my favorite sites are Klondike, McInnes, and the point site on Towline. Fishing is pretty good but there are special regs for bass and pike so it's hard to get keepers.

I would look to camp on Klondike, but be aware if people do go past the first 3 lakes they are aiming for that site as well. The two sites on Vance and Twilight are in low-lying areas and could be buggy. They are also right on the portage trail. Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions.

Have fun, it's a neat little area.
 
shooper906
06/11/2024 02:50PM
  
Awesome, thanks for the insight! What's your YouTube channel? I've been building my own channel for about a year and am definitely planning to make a video when I go to BILW.
 
dschult2
06/11/2024 05:47PM
  
shooper906: "Awesome, thanks for the insight! What's your YouTube channel? I've been building my own channel for about a year and am definitely planning to make a video when I go to BILW."
Schultzoutdoors, what is yours? I'd love to check out the vid when you get it out.
 
shooper906
06/11/2024 06:03PM
  
Thanks, I'll look you up! I'm torn between BILW and the Pretty Lake pathway bobbernumber3 mentioned. I'd like to be able to fly my drone, but that's a no-no in Federal Wilderness areas.


My channel is https://youtube.com/@northernwaters