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BAWaters
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Used a gravity filter there in 2017, and didn't notice any issues with the water.
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adam
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chessie: " 
This is the water from lower Pauness last July. I can't say it tasted bad, but as you can see, not too clear. Only going to guess Shell is better. "
Shell has a lot of algae. Bring a backup filter.
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egknuti
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There’s only a few lakes where, after filtering, I could “taste” the lake. Shell doesn’t fit the bill. It is not as clear as Little Shell or Lynx but the taste is the same. Plus—clear water does not mean clean water.
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AndyEck84
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I was there last year and the water on Shell seemed fine to me. I thought I was drinking Leinenkugel's.
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analyzer
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Lynx looks like bottled water. It's very clear.
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Cricket67
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Pilgrimpaddler: "Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!"
Awesome! Don't know how long you will be there but I will be heading through on my way to Lynx on May 25th.
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Jaywalker
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I passed through Shell two years ago on my way out. I remember scooping up water to use in my gravity filter when I stopped at campsite for lunch. I did not think it was a big deal, but the water looked a little less clear than some lakes. Keep in mind that walleye love water that is not crystal clear.
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tumblehome
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Interesting discussion.
I’ve never compared water clarity to water quality. Not the same.
Except for ponds and a few notoriously swampy lakes, every lake up there is drinkable.
I would avoid entry lakes with cabins. Think septic systems.
Tom
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Pilgrimpaddler
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Cricket67: "Pilgrimpaddler: "Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!"
Awesome! Don't know how long you will be there but I will be heading through on my way to Lynx on May 25th. "
We're planning on heading in on the 22nd - probably base camping at Lynx. It will be interesting to see how busy it will be this year, but I don't expect to get much separation from the crowd by only going 1/2 a day in.
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Cricket67
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I'll use MiO to add to the water. They make some with Caffeine too, which I like for those mornings where you want to break camp and get on the water ASAP.
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chessie
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This is the water from lower Pauness last July. I can't say it tasted bad, but as you can see, not too clear. Only going to guess Shell is better.
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Pilgrimpaddler
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Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)
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Saberboys
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We used to add an MSR Sweetwater carbon filter after the Sawyer water filter on our homemade gravity filter system. I think that it helped improve the taste of the water. Unfortunately I think that the Sweetwater has been discontinued as I haven't been able to find them anymore.
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Pilgrimpaddler
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I'm tentatively planning on a mid- to late-May trip with my two sons up to the Shell Lake area. I've been through Loon and into LLC before but never to Shell. My question is in regards to water quality on Shell. I've read that the water in Shell is maybe not the best; even though I filter drinking water with a Platypus Gravity Works I know that the quality of the water that goes into the filter can have an impact on the taste of the water that comes out. For those of you who have been to the area, from a strictly water-quality perspective, would it be better to camp on one of the adjacent lakes or will it not make any significant difference?
I realize this seems like a pretty picky thing, but soft water season is coming and my thoughts are not as focused on work as they should be.
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MikeinMpls
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I've camped at Lower Pauness a couple of times, as well as Shell and Lynx. I've never stopped to consider water taste, I'm curious to read the responses. I would think that the filter you use and its relatively cleanliness would make more of a difference than the lake itself, but maybe someone else knows more than me on this.
Mike
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schweady
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Water flavor in the BW is affected most by the presence -- or absence -- of tannins. We noticed this most when we started filtering. (Yes, we went a few earlier decades just dipping and drinking...) Gabbro Lake comes to mind as one heavy in tannins and nearly orange in color sometimes. Although the color didn't really change much, filtering out these teeny particles rendered the water from any lake -- even Gabbro -- a similar, excellent, taste. As my canoe buddy of 40+ years says, "Remember when we used to get thirsty drinking it?..."
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OMGitsKa
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Was there during high heat of last summer, seemed fine to me.
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Deeznuts
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I would suggest trying to push to lynx. The water quality is much better (in my opinion). Also, fishing there is great. If you can find a little grouping of walleye you can catch pretty much all day.
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pswith5
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Been there a few times in May. Never remember a problem. Of course, like shweady, I have been known to just dip and drink early in the season.
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Banksiana
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If you gravity filter add a carbon element to your system. Will remove nearly any lingering vegetative flavor. Shell has decent water. Little Shell even better.
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egknuti
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Pilgrimpaddler: "Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)"
Lynx, Shell, Heritage are all good walleye lakes.
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Pilgrimpaddler
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egknuti: "Pilgrimpaddler: "Thanks for all the input! I won't give any more thought to water quality in Shell or adjacent lakes. However, since the subject has been brought up, do any of you have informed opinions about which of these lakes might have the best water quality for walleyes?
- asking for my son, who likes to fish ;)"
Lynx, Shell, Heritage are all good walleye lakes. "
Thank you! Permit is booked for a May 22 entry. Can’t wait to try out my new Superior hammock (my sons get to stay in the Lean2+). I hope the black flies hold off until we come out!
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OMGitsKa
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Plenty of eyes out on Shell.
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schweady
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chessie: "
This is the water from lower Pauness last July. I can't say it tasted bad, but as you can see, not too clear. Only going to guess Shell is better. "
Oh, great... Now I need to create a new Photo Album here: 'Water Bags From Various Lakes.' :-)
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