Advice on a BWCA trip

[Lostit@theHole]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on a canoe route in the Bdubs. I'll be in a group of 4-6, most likely for the first or second week of June. I want a little adventure and am still young enough to trek a ways. I have been around moose lake/ensign area for the past couple of years and want to see some more remote country, also fishing is a must. Thanks and good luck!

[Seabass77]

Go to crooked through the ely area. We were there the 2nd week of june last year and had trouble catching eating size eyes. Too many 24 - 26 inchers. Not to mention, some huge smallies.

You also get to see Upper basswood falls, picto graphs, table rock, and lots of other great scenery.

[Pistolero]

I have gone to Lake Ima several times, through the Moose Lake route. I will dig up some info on the types of fish in that area. I got some advice on the DNR forum last summer about that lake and were some of the good fishing spots are. I’ll see if I can find that also. The camp sites on the south shore are great and the portages to get back to Ima are not that bad either. I’ll have more info tomorrow. Actually, I believe that it was Jackpine Rob that I gave me some of the best info.

[Tom Linderholm]

Lost it, shoot me an email, if your looking for some lakers I might have a good trip for ya, Been back there three times and will be doing it again end of May.

Cheffi1atcharterdotnet

[Powerstroke]

I've really liked the trip through the Kawishiwi (sp?)Lake entry. You go north towards lake Polly. We went to Beaver Lake through Malberg and the Kawishiwi river. Did it round trip in 7 days. Great fishing on Malberg and lots of sand. Beaver has only 2 campsites, but one is on top of a 60' cliff. We didn't fish it but we did some cliffdiving.

[Lostit@theHole]

Thanks for all the advice. Everybody has there favorite area and it seems like everywhere is somebodies favorite.

[Pistolero]

I could not find the info that I was looking for. But if you pick up “Boundary Waters Canoe Area - Western Region” by Robert Beymer, it has a lot of information on the entry points and different loops that can be taken. Also it has a Lake index for fishing, which tell you which fish species are in the lakes. This book will help you and your friends plan a trip.

Here is a link that might be of help for planing also. canoecountry.com/plan/

[Big Roy]

I take all my trips to Quetico but since your asking about the BWCA here is my advice:

Get yourself the latest issue of the Boundary waters journal, tons of good info.

The public library has some books on routes and advice, some are a little old but nothing has changed except for equipment.

If you say 6 are going, plan on 4. When some people see how much work it is they get cold feet, you want to weed these people out anyway, they can become a P.I.T.A. when the going gets tough.

The R.V. and camping show is coming up soon, so is the sport show, go talk to the outfitters in person, these people know the routes the best and the advice they can give you can make or break a trip. I have been going in since 1974 when I was a teenager and I still use one. I would never attempt it without an outfitter, you most likely need a canoe or some other supplies. We always use the bunkhouse the night before to get an early start and the hot showers at the end.....Priceless!

Google BWCA and check out the outfitters websites. More info.

Beg, borrow, or steel as much stuff you can to help keep costs down. backpacks,tents,sleeping bags, ect.

And finally. Do not ever under any circumstances bring any freeze dried food! This stuff will make a billy goat puke!! If you do not believe me go buy some at Gander follow the instructions binge,purge. You can get anything you need at the grocery store.

Report back and let us know how it went.