Getting into the fun time of year for planning another BWCA adventure. Looking at the week after Labor Day, six day trip for two guys looking to do some fishing and paddling. Considering 3 options, prefer to go out of the Ely area, stay off the big water, and find some good fishing areas and sights to see.

Option 1- EP 30 to Insula, from there into River Lake to base camp and fish, back out thru Hudson and EP 30.

Option 2- EP 23 to Gull, base camp and hop around fishing there. Paddle back out to 23. (took this route in 2022)

Option 3- EP 37 to Koma or Malberg, jump to River to base camp and fish, back out to EP 37.

Any thoughts would be appreciated as to fishing, camp sites, and what camping in the burn areas will be like. Thanks!

I don't fish, but my personal favorite in terms of the area is your 3rd option. Love the scenery around there and feels less crowded.

I agree with StraightHairedCurly. One of my favorite entry points. If you go up to River, check out Fishdance Lake and make a trip into Amber along the way too. Plenty of good fishing in that area too. Once you firm up your plans, you are sure to get more input on fishing. Enjoy the planning!

Well, I have none or limited experience with the first 2 EP's, but have been in 37 several times. I would just note that it's a long way from Ely - probably about a 2-hour drive. Grand Marais would be closer and Tofte even closer.

Another thumbs up for your 3rd option. I loved that area, Koma has some beautiful sites without seeing alot of people, I don't think it has much for fishing. It is shallow lake if I remember.

You're gonna spend 2 days getting to your base camp, and 2 days out, leaving you only 2 days to fish and explore. With 6 days total, especially given your desire to fish and explore, I'd recommend somewhere you can get in and out in an 8-9 hour day (if you're trying to get kinda deep) so you can spend more time in the interior. Single carrying you could hit River Lake in about that amount of time via Kawishiwi Lake, maybe via Lake One as well but there is a good bit of paddling required via that route. My groups always double carry so your entry day to Insula or to Malberg is about where my limit personally is for effort and travel time on a single day.

I do love the Fishdance area, so I highly recommend spending some time there if you do end up in that area (however you get to River Lake). A trip up to Adams would be an excellent way to spend a day as well (the portage from Beaver to Adams is very cool) but it will require a full day from your base camp if you intend to spend any time on Adams (SE corner with all the islands and bays is sufficient for fishing and cool sights IMO).

Thanks for the input! Looking at maps has me wanting to get to River Lake area. It just is a question of which way to take. I have been out of Ely a couple times so I'm familiar with the town and outfitters. We won't need much gear so maybe EP 37 is a good option.

How far would we be from an outfitter at EP 37?

jwise82: "Thanks for the input! Looking at maps has me wanting to get to River Lake area. It just is a question of which way to take. I have been out of Ely a couple times so I'm familiar with the town and outfitters. We won't need much gear so maybe EP 37 is a good option.


How far would we be from an outfitter at EP 37? "

Closest outfitter is Sawbill

When entering at 37 I've used Sawbill and also Sawtooth Outfitters to rent a canoe. Sawtooth Outfitters is located at the intersection of Rt. 61 and the Sawbill Trail in Tofte.

EP 37 will be less busy/crowded than 30. For reference it took me about 4 - 4 1/2 hours solo to Polly double portaging. Malberg is doable in a longer day, but a note about malberg - there's a lot of shoreline there to paddle back and forth between campsites.

In July of 2015 my buddy and I went from Kawishiwi Lake entry to Malberg in 7 hours of steady moving but not really pushing it. I have heard of folks doing it in 6 hours and I believe it = we were oldish guys, out of shape on a humid 85 degree day. We stayed at a sand beach site for a couple nights and headed over to River Lake. That took 1.5 to 2 hours taking our time and soaking in the sights. Point is it is doable in one long day if you are motivated and efficient paddlers/portagers. Then on your way back take your time a bit and stay on Koma or Polly last night.

We loved the River Lake area and the island campsite just before the narrows and very good walleye fishing wasn't far away. We also checked out the great campsite on Amber but did not get down to Fishdance.

I have a trip report posted with more info and many photos if you are interested...just go to the trip report area and search for my username lindylair and you will find it.

Perhaps the only shame of this route would be not spending much time on Malberg which is a pretty cool lake in its own right. But it would get you a little more time at what seems to be your goal and a fine goal indeed.

Thanks for the info and tips...I was shying away from EP37 due to my konwledge of the Ely area, but perhaps we can try it out. We could try to get to River if things went well day 1, if not there are options to stop in Malberg then continue on for day 2. I want to get into Fishdance and see the pictos, sounds like an awesome area.

Happy Planning!!

It’s probably a two hour drive to EP 37 from Ely. It’s not that far, just lots of slow gravel roads. Hope you have a great trip!

Tony

jwise82: "Thanks for the input! Looking at maps has me wanting to get to River Lake area. It just is a question of which way to take. I have been out of Ely a couple times so I'm familiar with the town and outfitters. We won't need much gear so maybe EP 37 is a good option.


How far would we be from an outfitter at EP 37? "