Primitive camp sites

[fishergurl]

My favorite camping spots are the ones you need to boat to. I know of only 1 spot, and it seems that more people have learned about it. I am looking for some other areas on a good lake. If you would like to share, but not on the forum, email me [email protected]. Thanks for the help

[reinhard1]

here i go recommending my favorite state park again. bearhead state park has a couple of primitive sites. not only do you have good fishing, but you would be near showers, ice, and safety in case of a storm. you would enjoy the solitude as well. there are so many primitive sights in the arrowhead to reccommend. it just depends how experienced you are as a camper. a primitive sight as mentioned above is a good starting point. good luck.

[Redlantern]

What area of the state and what type of fish are you looking for?

[fishergurl]

Reinhard: I have been to Bearhead State Park. You are right, its an amazing place. I am not looking for any parks. I am looking for open shore areas or islands to camp on, and a great lake to fish and also swim (Not interested in getting any chiggers)!

Red: I fish Walleye, Panfish, Bass, and Northern. I am from Zimmerman, and am fine traveling 4 hours or less.

[TooTallTom]

Check out Voyageurs National Park.

If you're willing to ditch the motor, the BWCAW is pretty awesome. But I'd recommend going to BWCAW while school's in sesssion, it's not exactly a secret and the illusion that you're alone (and have worked hard-ish for) is kind of ruined by eighty-bajillion (It's true! I counted one summer.) screaming Boyscouts.

[Redlantern]

Might want to consider the St. Croix river upstream from Taylors Falls. When you say primitive, I assume you mean no hook ups or showers. Or do you mean primitive like the BWCA?

[RiverFly99]

I know some great spots to camp but its on a small river, it does have all the kinds of fish you are looking for and no one really knows about it or should I say no one really bothers to fish it.

[fishergurl]

Thanks guys for the tips. I will probably try a couple out this summer. Riverfly, if you want to share, message me, I am very curious.

[Nainoa]

All around Cut Foot Sioux and the North shore of Winnie there are boat in primitives... You just have to look for the white signs.

I'd talk to one of the lodges around Cut Foot Sioux to see if you could launch and park there... Then tool around...

IMO the best primitive is on Cut Foot Sioux... Going south just past McAvity Island into McAvity bay... There is this point that sticks out... Immediately to your right is a primitive... Other than battle point (500 yards away) you'd have that whole area to yourself. (Watch the rocks on approach)

There is a really remote Primitive on the north shore of Winnie just west of the dug outs... However your boat would be tied up on Big Winnie itself... And Winnie has a knack for roaring in just about any serious wind... And the last thing you want is rollers coming over the stern while you're tied up... Go to bed at night and find the boat swamped in the morning with 4-5 miles of primitive hiking trails leading to a dirt road near the eagle's nest being your only route out of there.

[Fairchild_82]

I'm going to 2nd Voyageurs National Park. I know you said no parks. But why not? Campgrounds everywhere, only way to get to them are by the lake. They're free, private, and comfortable. It's beautiful. Also has most of the fish you stated.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Another vote for Voyageurs. Calling it a park may give you the wrong idea. Go once and it will become your favorite place.

[highlife4me]

There are a few primitive sites on Spider Lake, north of Grand Rapids.

[pulleye16]

Lake vermilion. Whiskey island for one (spent a few nights there covered in arm warms)! The lake has 365 islands and quit a few are state land and camping is FREE! no docks and fire rings thought!

[TooTallTom]

pulleye16, are those islands state FOREST lands? IIRC, you can camp anywhere in a state forest, but only in designated areas in state parks. I've been thinking about fishing Vermillion some this summer, but wasn't sure about the camping available there.

That's why I like Voyageurs National Park. As others have alluded to, it's not really a "park" in the sense that there are only a few big campgrounds, which are sardine-fests every weekend. The majority of the sites are ONLY boat accessible, and feel pretty isolated.

[pulleye16]

Hinsdale Island Campsites

Hinsdale Island Campsites are some of the most remote on the lake. The 11 campsites are reached by boat from Lake Vermilion. These primitive sites have a fire ring and table, but no other comforts except the peace and solitude of an isolated camping experience. Visitors to the sites will find river and lake recreation and swimming options. Soudan Underground Mine State Park manages the facility, which sits along the western shore of the lake. Canoeists looking for a paddling trail can access Vermilion River at several points north of the lake and travel down the river into the lake basin. Hinsdale Island Campsites Kabetogama State Forest Retreat Lodge Road Cook, MN 55723 218-753-2242 dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/facilities/cmp00030

Here's a perfect map and details for you...

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/destinations/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/Hinsdale_map.pdf

Couldn't find any detail on whiskey island or others...you'll have to call MN DNR and find out for sure!

[TooTallTom]

Good info, thanks.

[pulleye16]

sorry- just thought of another area to search. Try contacting the company that leases / rents out the house boat on vermilion. I believe they may have a map or know of the campable islands.

[TooTallTom]

VNP campsite photos

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

VNP campsite photos

They look familiar! I love it up there!!

[fishergurl]

thanks TTT! It looks amazing up at VNP. I have never been, but would like to. Whats your opinion on someone going up there, who has no familiarity with the lake?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

A gps with a map chip helps a lot. Also get familiar with the bouy system.

[TooTallTom]

Basically, I'd say go and enjoy yourself cautiously. I was just up there with a friend of mine who has fished Rainey quite a bit, but never Namakan or Kab. That was basically how I put it to him when he said that it seemed best to go with someone who's been there already. Caution is key until you figure things out.

GPS with a map chip is a great help. But I'd also advise buying a map/ chart with the channel-marker bouy numbers on it, and a compass. That way you've got a backup system in case the GPS goes non-functional. Practice your nav skills while the GPS works just fine, so that they're up to snuff if the GPS isn't working fine. Seriously, it's a lot of water, and if you're not taking it seriously you can get lost pretty easily with all the channels and islands.

That area is pretty well known for eating lower units. That's mostly a problem with people who assume they're in real deep water and nothing can happen. If you're not in the marked channel or right on the line that you've traveled before, it's always best to assume that you can hit a rock. I've literally seen rocks 1-2 feet under the surface in 15' of water. There are some that are big as houses, and that's not hyperbole.

Or: What Wish-I-Were-Fishin' said.

[TooTallTom]

Also, a good pair of POLARIZED sunglasses will help with seeing those lower-unit monsters! Travelling slowly through new areas (when not in the marked channel) and actually standing up and looking for them is really important.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Had a buddy doing the stand up thing for me in my boat up there once. I was glued to the locator and he thought it was funny to slap the side of the boat with his hand. Scared the [PoorWordUsage] out of me! I hate rocks that jump out at you.

[TooTallTom]

That's what friends are for, right?