BWCA

[Cody Gruchow]

i am looking for some information for a good entry point and campground in the boundry waters, because beleive it or not i have never been there. me and a buddy are interested in going. prefereably before july due to how busy it gets in the later summer. dates betwenn june 18 and the 28th are prefered. we would like a good fishing lake and etc. let me know any info and such you can provide me with..thanks

[repoman]

well for camping we go up to wow (way of the wilderness ) at the end of the gunflint trail . or theres also east bearskin about 1/3 up the trail . if your looking for some nice cabins and good food i recommend trail center lodge  they have nice cabins that are affordable and excellent food 
theres a lake everywitch way and wildlife to watch ....
cant go wrong up the gunflint trail
sawbill lake in tofte mn in the bwcaw is also beautiful thats more of a family campground but it offers everything 

[JackpineRob]

1.  Do you have your own equipment, or will you be going through an outfitter?
2.  How comfortable are you in paddling a canoe?
3.  Are you looking at a motor lake, a paddle-only trip, or some combination?
4.  How hard do you want to work?
5.  What species are you hoping to catch?
6.  How many days of camping are you looking at?

I grew up on a lake outside of Ely which is partially inside the BWCA, and have spent plenty of time poking around, including 8 summers guiding fishing trips.  Lots of variety and different options - but to help you narrow things down I'll need a little more info from you.  One thing that could impact your planning is the permit process - advance reservations are needed for many of the entry points.  Time to get cracking at making your plans!

[Cody Gruchow]

ok thanks
yes i have my own equipment. no i aint going threw an outfitter. i am very comfortable paddling a canoe, i am bring mine up there. a paddle only trip would be best i beleive. i am willing to work as hard as i need to get to the campsite. i have stated that i only want to stay at one campsite and not move. i was hoping to be walleye as my main target then northerns then smallmouth. i would also like to stay away from large groups of ppl. the farther back there the better in my option. i was looking at about 4 or 5 days of camping. and i am aware of the whole ahead of time for the entry points and its first on my list to do but i need more info before i can do the permits.

[thunderpout]

Get a BWCA map of an area/areas you want to hit,REI and other stores have em, and will help first timers with stuff you need to know.  Get some dnr info on lakes/fish counts etc..... Through the years Ive found doin the base camp deal and takeing day trips for fishing to different lakes works great, you'll find some BWCA lakes are nearly void of fish, some have tons of em...the gunflint is a very popular entry area,  The arrowhead trail, further NE from the gunflint is another choice, and I think you may find it a little less crowded.  Do a little research,  youre gonna find it hard to get in some areas allready, so get goin!  The popular entry points are probably filled up so look for some off the beatin path a bit....     -thunderpout

[Cody Gruchow]

thanks

[thunderpout]

Once ya hit the BWCA the first time, once a year wont be enough, I like goin there even better than Canada... You'll love it... A good tip to give ya... Think minimalist... Lay out all the stuff you want to bring, then bring half of it.  For years I always brought stuff I never used,  too much food, clothes, and other junk... put yer six favorite lures and a handfull of jigs in a tupperware box (I always bring too much tackle) The only extra thing I'd bring is extra rods, lose a spinning rod to a mishap & the trip is ruined!  Oh yeah.... duct tape and a tarp..dont hit BWCA without em!  have fun!          -thunderpout

[Cody Gruchow]

thanks pout. i have all this planned out pretty well i think. i do go to canada about once a summer but i dont think i can make it up there this year  (gas prices)  ive already made a list and then looked over the list and started cutting things out. the rods are going in a floating case. and i have one plastic container that has the tackle i think ill need.