Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Father Son 3 Night Trip Suggestions?
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JeremySpartz |
Thanks for the suggestions and info. I'll take a look at the suggested entries, lakes and EPs and map out the possibilities. It sounds like some of the best spots fill up fast so we'll get on it. |
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JeremySpartz |
My son wants to hit the BWCA for his 16th, which gets me fired up. However, I haven't been there in 20 years. We're both experienced campers and fishermen, but not knowledgeable about the best route or places to camp and fish. We're planning now and I would be grateful for any recommendations. We'll be coming in from Park Rapids on a Sunday morning and plan on leaving at any point on Wednesday. We don't mind a bit of work to get to some good spots to camp and fish. Thanks, Jeremy |
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cyclones30 |
Start out of Ely or don't care where you start? Need an outfitter or have canoe and gear? Lots and lots of options......help us narrow it down. So you'll drive from PR that morning, stop at an outfitter, and then head in...if you need to rent anything. So you'll not have an early start necessarily and need a shorter first day travel. Fishing sounds like it's most important? |
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JeremySpartz |
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Wables |
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bombinbrian |
Little Indian Sioux North would give you some great options and as stated before Nina Moose North up to Agnes could also provide some options. With hard work you could get to Iron the first day or get close. Mudro also has a ton of options. |
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plander |
Consider a tow (Anderson’s is good) from Crane Lake to Snow Bay on the western end of Lac La Croix. You can fish some nice areas right away and all of the US side of LLC is quite nice given little motor traffic due to the border being closed. And little to no portaging, unless you want it on day trips. Mark Anderson knows the fishing area well and has good advice...and that’s a trip worth doing at least once. Another option to give some thought to is a tow out of Moose Lake (EP 25) up to the Birch-Sucker portage and head into Knife Lake. Knife is a clear lake with good fishing. You will be on Knife by 12 noon, if not earlier. You can’t go wrong with any of the outfitters on Moose Lake. And it’s not that I’m a high fan of tow services so much...it’s more of the limited time you have with a three day trip. I would really try to maximize the fishing time and getting to camp site by 1-2 PM...if it were me. |
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JeremySpartz |
I'm open to starting from any point. We have the canoe and gear, and moving at least since is no problem. Hoping for a good day trip as to fish and explore as well. We'll definitely fish, but I won't be familiar with the water so expectations aren't too high. Mudro route sounds solid. I'll definitely explore that and do some research. Thanks again! |
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cyclones30 |
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cyclones30 |
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outsidethebox |
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lindylair |
Homer Lake entry, make your way to Vern Lake. Two campsites to chose from, both decent. If by chance those were taken which I think is unlikely, there are a total of 11 campsites within a few hours of the put in. Several daytrip options but the Vern River is a great one that offers good scenery, peace and quiet, and very good fishing. Vern Lake is probably a 2.5 to 3 hour jaunt from the entry point. For a short trip, that's kind of a good thing. It's a lesser used entry point in general and usually offers good solitude. I have been there twice and had good luck fishing for smallies, walleyes and a few pike of decent size. Last summer I caught 7 19 inch walleyes from our campsite on Vern - not bad. It may not have the fishing reputation of Basswood or Lac La Croix or even the trophy potential but if you are okay with 16-20 inch smallies and 14 to 20 plus inch walleyes it's pretty darn good. A lot less work to get in, more time to fish and relax and plenty to do and see. No big water either and the potential wind issues that go along with that. Only 2 permits per day allowed. For comparison purposes, in the first 20 days of June(2021) the Mudro entry, which has 120 permits available, has no open permits. The Homer entry which has 40 available in that time span, has 27 available. There are tons of great entries and routes but this one works well on a shorter trip and checks off a lot of the boxes most people enjoy. Here's a trip report if you are interested: Homer to Vern Wherever you go I hope you have a great trip. |
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JeremySpartz |
Good points regarding setting up shop close. The day trips and fishing opportunities sound perfect. This is all exceptionally helpful. I'll show your thoughts and suggestions to my son tonight and get the permit reserved. I appreciate you all taking the time to provide some advice to a rookie. JS |