Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Moose to South Arm Knife
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corvidologist |
RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " This doesn't really need verifying - it's a very long-standing treaty, and use was upheld even in the middle of COVID restrictions. Just stay on the portage. |
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corvidologist |
plander: "cyclones30: "plander: "RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Plander does this cover you only as an individual, or does that daily park pass allow your group in too? |
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LesliesDad |
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Speckled |
Your Canada question has largely been addressed, you can take a portage that happens to be on the Canadian side, but can't camp there without the appropriate permits and paperwork. Also no fishing on the Canada side. |
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billconner |
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plander |
Take the tow to sucker/birch and go from there to Knife. |
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Billsmafia456 |
Also, the permit thing scared me a bit. haha. We plan on leaving from Moose Lake on May 14. Day one, paddle from Moose up into Vera Lake. Day two, Vera to South Arm Knife. Then just day trip from there until it's day five and time to start for home. Any tips or spots where we should stop? What kind of traffic should I expect trying to camp on Vera? |
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Billsmafia456 |
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Gaidin53 |
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Gaidin53 |
Ensign to Vera and Vera to Knife are more challenging portages than the other way. Up to you though. I’d recommend a tow up to The first portage at Sucker Birch. I’d recommend the tow from Moose to Spash if you do go Ensign lake. Vera is a pretty lake I’ve been through twice now. On Knife lake you should see the Isle of Pines where Dorothy Molter lived the last resident of the BWCA and the Ribbon Bacon Rock. At the turn down to either the South Arm of Knife or the North Arm of Knife is Thunder point. Cool hike up and an awesome view. Paddle into the South Arm of Knife to see Eddy Falls. Ottertrack lake is a really pretty lake with high vertical Cliff walls down the narrow portion. Kekekabic is amazing as well and I’d highly recommend. Getting to either of those. Depends on how far you end up traveling and moving. |
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RMinMN |
Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " You'll have to check into the rules to be sure but there is a treaty provision with Canada that allows you to use a portage on the Canadian side without needing a special permit or to report to customs. Verify this before you commit. |
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plander |
Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Not sure I understand. You will avoid Canada on this route if you pay attention to where you are, however, you will want to make sure you understand the border details, etc. As a general rule you can’t enter Canada without clearing customs or being in possession of an RABC pass (which hasn’t been available since the program was suspended in May 2020. It may change but don’t bet on it). |
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cyclones30 |
So....if you like to see new things go for your original route in and take the border route along the river out. Or vice versa. The border route has very easy portages as they're well used and very flat. The Vera route is longer and hilly portages. But you'll see less people. Either way, you'll be good and have fun |
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straighthairedcurly |
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LesliesDad |
June 2018 my wife and I (both 68 at the time) paddled back from the South Arm of Knife Lake to the Moose Lake EP #25 in one day (about 17 miles). It was a long day, but not all that hard. |
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billconner |
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cyclones30 |
plander: "RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Right, but you'd still need a fishing license....Q day pass etc. Not worth the effort, especially on Knife. If you don't have all that additional paperwork, you cannot fish over the line. (plenty of examples of people having that issue and getting caught) You can travel via the treaty mentioned earlier. Not camp, fish, eat lunch, etc. |
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plander |
cyclones30: "plander: "RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Yes, that’s correct, the Q-day pass and fishing. It’s been discussed on other threads here (search RABC after:2021-12-15 and you will find the threads, also a few links below). For me, getting the ON fishing license (purchase online w/outdoors card,about $60-very easy to do) and an Ontario Parks seasonal vehicle day-use permit (order online, $75, they mail it to you-very easy to do) is what I will do this year. I've done it a couple times in years past as well (with RABC). At least that way I can fish the Canada side of the border lakes, specifically Crooked to Ottertrack. And if the RABC program is reinstated then I get that as well ($30) and I can day trip into Quetico, portage and fish non-border Q lakes while camping on the US side. Well worth it for under $200, in my opinion. RABC Permits Quetico Day Use permit |
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outsidethebox |
Billsmafia456: "First time coming out to the BWCA, experienced Adirondack paddler though. Just kind of curious what to expect. I might just be super excited and overthinking this trip. I support and encourage you to take the route you are suggesting/reporting. The portages may be a bit more difficult but there are some real advantages in this. Vera is very lightly travelled and I would strongly suggest that you take a world-class fishing day trip from there before heading on up to the SAK-feel free to contact me regarding this. Whether or not you get the tow on Moose depends upon weather conditions, your schedule and your physical fitness. |
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billconner |
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HighnDry |
RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 |
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bhouse46 |
Border portages are treaty protected but even though enforcement dollars are short everywhere, I would stay on the portages. Your buddy will be fine. I've often posted a favorite 5-day loop starting at Moose. Moose to SAK to Kekekabic to Fraser, to Ima to Moose. The route offers a taste of what the BWCA offers from big water and cliffs to meandering streams and waterfalls. Fraser offers some nice day trips to smaller lakes and a nice resting time and walleye fishing. I usually arrive at the outfitter on Moose in time to work out kinks in my body and make last minute gear adjustments, shower and good night's sleep in a bunkhouse. Making Thunder Point by noon should not be a problem with experienced paddlers and a tow. I dip the paddle just predawn and am at the north end of Newfound Lake by the time the tows are coming by. The find a campsite by early afternoon is good advice. |
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plander |
RMinMN: "Billsmafia456: "Well have to check that out. any idea if we can stay out of Canada? Its probably not a big deal but my canoe partner got a DWI 10 years ago, Canada says he's not allowed in the country. " Yes you can use the portages on border lakes, be they in Canada or the US. Just don’t dawdle. Below is a link to the CBSA details on fishing in Canadian waters. In short, it says that as long as you don’t make landfall you are ok to fish the Canadian side of the lake. CBSA Canadian waters And an article on the Canadian waters fishing that references the above. Article |