Any reports on how passable it is from ada to Cherokee lake with this low water?

Hello all. My buddy and I are heading to Knife from Moose/Sucker next week. I've seen reports of pretty good fishing there during September, and I'm excited.

We are planning on jigs/crawler harnesses and crankbaits along shelves and dropoffs, and bouncing jigs among rocks off points.

Any other ideas?

Happy paddling all!

Does anyone have a huge, full-width image of the rock on Echo Trail of the cliff face they wouldn't mind giving me the rights to use in a game? The game is a 1:1 re-creation of the BWCA—everything from topology to understory to lake depth. There's no driving (yet, not sure if I'll add it) but assuming someone wanders that far I'd like to at least have it.

If you lost your lure on Vern, I might have it. Admittedly, I later lost a couple of them on Vern. So hit or miss if I have your lure.

Going in 2 weeks never gone this late how are the bugs this time of year?

How's the algae? Had to rins out our gravity feed last year and wondering if I should bring a second filter.

Last year was basswood.

This year number lakes

This will be my first time going for pike. Can use fly or rod reel. Where will they be in mid September? What can I catch ‘em with?

thanks, voyageurs

I have a Traditional #4 Granite Gear portage pack that I took as a checked bag on a flight abroad. I had it wrapped in a trash back to avoid problems with the straps, but for some reason, someone pulled it open and removed the hip belt.

I'm hoping someone has suggestions on what to get to replace it.

My entry point is the Snake River and I am leaving this Saturday. I’m wondering if there are any stores that carry maps located in around the Twin Cities. I know MW Mountaineering did but they are now closed. I just want to mark up the map before I depart

Update: Thanks everyone. I was able to pick one up at REI in Roseville last night. I’ll mark it up with preferred campsites and notable features and then I’m ready to go

I just got back from my first bwca experience, which was absolutely incredible, but I had a question. One day we were fishing and exploring a section of the lake we were staying on and was looking for a good spot to pull on shore for a quick rest and bathroom break. We saw what looked to be a campsite and pulled up. It’s not on either of the 2 different brand maps I had with me. It had the nicest campfire spot I’ve seen and clearly used, clearly defined trails and tent spots, and the toilet looked brand new, even had a lid to it. So is this potentially a new campsite that hasn’t made it to maps, could it be one that’s decommissioned? Is it a Forrest service only spot? Or is it something completely different?

Edit: thanks for the responses. It’s seems the most likely reason is just the maps have not been reprinted with updates. For those wondering, it’s located on paddle planner on the north east side of lake one, right next to the rapids.

I'm trying to find a suitable sleeping situation for my dad on an upcoming trip. He has sleep apnea and the traditional sleeping pad and tent have proven difficult in the past. Obviously a CPAP is out of the question. I thought a hammock might keep him propped up better. He did a trial run last night in the backyard, but still woke up apneic.

Just curious, does anyone have any tips or tricks? Otherwise, the hammock seems awesome!

"Recent rain and cooler weather have prompted officials in northeastern Minnesota to lift remaining restrictions on campfires — including in the Boundary Waters.

As of noon Monday, campfires are allowed again in open sections of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and other backcountry and remote areas in northeastern Minnesota. They were temporarily banned amid extreme fire danger earlier this summer.

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to lift the restrictions was made in consultation with state and tribal agencies.

But authorities are cautioning campers to stay vigilant about campfire safety, given longer-term drought conditions across much of the region — and as we head into what’s traditionally a dry time of year across the north.

“While conditions have improved, we’re not done with fire danger this year, as fall is just around the corner,” Karen Harrison, a wildfire prevention specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said in a news release. “It’s important for people to continue following wildfire prevention tips such as proper campfire safety and using caution when doing outdoor activities that create heat or sparks.”

Those safety tips include never leaving a campfire unattended, and always drowning, stirring and feeling the ashes to make sure they are completely cold before leaving a campsite.

While the campfire ban has ended, parts of the BWCA remain closed due to ongoing wildfires north and northwest of Ely. About 600 firefighters and other personnel are still working to fully contain those fires.

Most of the Boundary Waters is back open to paddlers and hikers, after last month’s full closure of the wilderness."

Happy paddling y'all!

I'm launching on September 10th for the liz/swamp entry. It has been years since i've gone this late. Are leeches even still available at that point in the year? I've always had better luck woth worms than minnows but I feel like keeping them alive would be challenging over a 4 night trip.

Any and all related opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

My son found this multitool a little off in the woods at the start of a portage. We're looking o return it to the owner. If you lost this Leatherman or know the person who did, please contact me and so I can get it back to you.

Going up in a few weeks, curious how the wildlife activity has been since the fires. Have a lot been pushed south? Higher sightings and activity? Looking forward photography on the trip and what to expect.

It feels like i just returned from spending 5 days and 4 nights in the afterlife. It was so glorious. It is now my yearly pilgrimage, just like the Medieval days. It sounds cliche, but it was truly grounding and cleansing. It made me realize just how HYPER-AGITATED we are at all times while connected to the internet and to society. Just nonstop sensory inputs. No wonder so many people are suffering from anxiety. This was truly a mental and physical reset in the best way possible. I thank every God and every forest and water spirit there is for giving me such a beautiful life experience and memories.🙏🌲🌊

I genuinely feel so much better now than i did before this trip

They still have a fire ban up here :/
I had the most amazing time though. Lots of Swimming and Fishing

Prairie Portage to Lake Superior. Halfway now, and this is some of the prettiest country I've ever seen — and I live in Banff. That's saying something.

I had the usual problems. But this section stacked more portages than the entire previous part of the trip combined. Same skills required. A lot more patience.

The time came to leave Fort Frances. Ahead: the Boundary Waters, and everything I didn't know about it.

Lake of the Woods had already made me sharpen my navigation. This next stretch took it further — a dozen portages, and a maze of channels that didn't care which way I thought I was going. Some days I was skirting the US border just to find water that would carry me. Survival math, not politics.

I've suffered to get here. It was worth every bit of it. The Boundary Waters is some of the most pristine wilderness left on the planet.

I'm recording this from the ranger station at Prairie Portage.

I and 3 other friends are heading up in mid-september. All of our paths cross in Minneapolis. Where should we park our cars? Fleet Farm? Anybody want to let me park in their driveway for money? One of the team members broke up with his Minneapolis girlfriend so we can't park there anymore. We've tried airport parking, and it is prohibitively expensive. Enjoy my pot of cowboy coffee and blueberry pancakes for breakfast photo. Having to cook on a stove is gonna be a real drag. If anybody needs to park in the middle of nowhere Iowa for a week, I'm your guy.

Getting married next fall and wanting to do a bachelor party trip to the boundary waters. We are all in our 30s so it won’t be a party trip, just good ol’ guy time for a few days.

I want to give all the guys some sort of personalized gift before asking them to be groomsmen that will also be useful on the trip. I’ve done backpacking trips before but never been to the BWCA and 2 of the guys have been there before.

Looking for suggestions from some experienced go-ers, thanks!

So we are heading out of Latourrels and probably heading north. This covers Moose Lake, Newfound Lake, Sucker Lake, and Splash Lake. Does anyone know how many campsites are on these lakes? I'm with a team of 6, so we want a large enough area to pitch a few tents. My team is an older group, so we don't plan to portage our butts off.

If anyone can provide information, that'd be awesome.!

I’m looking for recommendations on a winter trip location for January. I did a solo trip 2 years ago in February on Saganaga and absolutely loved it! It inspired a friend to get into winter camping and he wants to go this year.

Fishing isn’t in our plans, mostly just great landscapes and solitude. I traveled on snowshoe with a pulk and am looking forward to splitting the weight this time!

Thanks in advance!