I have done several trips in late September and October, but have never early May (pre fishing opener). I have a couple days off the week of May 5 and since the ice is off I am going to head up and spend a couple days paddling.

Pretty much every EP has all or most of its available permits-- some look like 0 will have been used at all, so maybe I can be one of the first in for an overnighter. Probably going to head in the west side.

My question is for those of you who trip both shoulders, what have you found to be the biggest difference(s), challenges between the spring shoulder and the fall shoulder?

I've had the worst fly problem in May.

One thing that may or may not be important to you is difference in sunrise/sunset times. You'll have roughly 2 1/2 hours more daylight per day than you have in a late September trip.

I actually think the weather risk (apart from convective storms) is less. If you’ve done enough October paddling, you know the wind can be a significant issue as we transition from one regime to the next. I will be interested to hear White Wolf’s thoughts on that if he joins this discussion.

gravelroad: "I actually think the weather risk (apart from convective storms) is less. If you’ve done enough October paddling, you know the wind can be a significant issue as we transition from one regime to the next. I will be interested to hear White Wolf’s thoughts on that if he joins this discussion."

Not sure I get which way you side-- but I would agree wind in OCT (esp late OCT) is slightly on avg more windy than early May/ late May things calm down considerably on avg.
As far as Thunderstorms, then I would favor early May (for Thunder) just because of the length of day and extra insolation ( length of sunlight) has more chance of Thunder compared to OCT.
But OCT has the effect of higher chance of a "Cut off Low"--- those systems when it can precip for several days and usually rather cold temps when the temp meets the dewpoint for a long time --- in OCT == miserable. Can happen in May but the chances are slightly lower due again to the length of the day.
I'd pick May, even if the water temps may be slightly cooler compared to early OCT on AVG. Early May? everything is about a wash. Then late SEPT for sure.

It also depends on the lakes your on. Mountain Lake ( those like it) campsites on S shore would be miserable early seasons with a N or W wind. I've spent time their in mid Fall and said to myself this would be a miserable place to camp in the Spring. Smaller/shallower lakes in early in the season I'd be all for.
Lot's of variables. But I would choose May over Oct for most lakes based on length of daylight being the biggest reason. Especially this year with an early ice out. Hope this helps.

Ground temp. You need an insulted pad in May.

I haven't gone on early or late trips, but I suspect early trips you'd more likely have to clear down trees from your portages, because they haven't been used yet. Perhaps less so this year, as they had less heavy snow to knock trees down. There's been some windy days though.

I would think the water is slightly warmer in Sept/Oct than early May.

I don't know what Bull Moose look like in May, but I suspect it's premature growth while in Sept/October they would have their full racks, and as you get later, out of velvet. Similar situation with White Tail Bucks.

Sept Oct you could actually do some hunting for Grouse, Bear, White Tail etc. You can't do that in May.

From what I've read, I would think Fishing is better in May. You can catch lake trout surface fishing. The walleyes will be wherever there is moving water, and shallow. The pike are in the warm shallow bays. Small mouth are probably on their beds, or pre-spawn maybe.

I’ve done both shoulder seasons a few times each. My latest exit was Oct. 31 two years ago and my earliest entry was last week on April 19 to Lake One. I have entered on May 4 two times plus 3 times in later May and a total of five times in October.

Biggest differences for me have been.
1. Much longer days (daylight) in early season
2. Colder water in early season
3. Less people in early season.

I prefer pre fishing opener trips over October trips and I love October trips.

I prefer the fall colors ( leaves, tamaracks & brook trout) and the autumnal aromas and campfires are the most enjoyable then but, really I like all seasons for the unique things each offer.

Nearly all my BWCA trips are shoulder season trips. I do Quetico in the summer.

Late April/May
Spring trips have colder water.
Portages with downed trees.
I look forward to warmer days.
Yes, spring is windy. April and May are windy months.
Spring trips bring warmer days as winter is on its way out

Late October/November
Fall trips have the colors.
I look forward to colder days and always love snow if we get any.
Fall trips have biting cold windy days. Winter is approaching.

I love them both for different reasons.
Tom

Water temps. We once ran some higher mid-May water that was no worse than things we'd done routinely in high summer. We went in. By the time my partner was on shore, he was blue and disoriented and unable to help himself get warm. We weren't in as long as you'd think it would take to be in real trouble. I can still see the situation vividly after 40 years and believe we were maybe 2 or 3 more minutes in cold water from not getting out. It can be very cold in in either season but I think in fall we would have longer to get to shore with the hands and brain still working and better able to get warm.

Firewood supply is better after the winter restocking and often more difficult to find after the summer harvest.

Personally I find wind levels in May to be no different than wind in Oct, that's just my own personal experience though. The wind in May definitely chills me more to the bone because of the colder water. I end up having to wear more clothes than I do in the Fall.

You'd be fine next week in terms of bugs but I think this year is going to be really bad for insects with early hatching/warmer temps early on, and there's a whole bunch of rain expected this afternoon through Monday. I expect after Fishing opener to be pretty miserable. I am on the fence about cancelling my May 29th permit because of it. Too soon to tell I suppose, but we'll see as we get closer. I never go up there in June/July because I simply can't tolerate the flies nor can my dog. September is my favorite month, or early October. Bugless, less people, more favorable daytime temps and warmer water temps than May. And quite frankly the scenery is just better. Most of May is still really brown and lifeless.

If you go next week, have fun! Considering myself to just do a shorter trip earlier this year due to conditions, if I can find a permit.

I could never decide so I went both…
Every season had its challenges. In 2012 I camped on the iron lake campsite closest to curtain falls both as the last frosty night and the earliest frosty night in the fall. The early trips were great for getting myself in the groove for the year. The last trip of the year was to give it that last go. All the trips in between were the meat of it…
I have to say though… I always encountered people no matter what the season. Wind, rain, cold… either way you could experience the whole deal. I just vote to go whenever you can and as often as you can… the one thing I can say… the water is colder in the spring… haha!

For me the biggest difference is the bugs. They are almost non existent in the fall and in the spring you have to time it almost perfectly to avoid the blackflies. Once it starts hitting 65-70 you've only got a few days before they hatch so you need to be ready to go at the drop of a hat. Heading in the 5th you'll be just fine. I was going to go in the 11th bit may head in earlier to beat the bugs.

Great info. I am amazed that there are basically tons of permits available each day, so I am really excited about the lack of people. I have always been surprised at the number of people I run into in October, so this will be really fun to have my pick of lakes with minimal competition.

I never thought about the daylight. That should be fun.

The fact that there is no fishing takes all the pressure off of feeling that "since I am up here I should wet a line" that I get at other times of the year.

I have 4 days off. I am kind of thinking of just heading up early, and not deciding on an EP until I show up in Ely that morning. With most EPs having permits, the thought of not deciding where I am going until I get there is really appealing.

wxce1260: "Great info. I am amazed that there are basically tons of permits available each day, so I am really excited about the lack of people. I have always been surprised at the number of people I run into in October, so this will be really fun to have my pick of lakes with minimal competition.


I never thought about the daylight. That should be fun.


The fact that there is no fishing takes all the pressure off of feeling that "since I am up here I should wet a line" that I get at other times of the year.


I have 4 days off. I am kind of thinking of just heading up early, and not deciding on an EP until I show up in Ely that morning. With most EPs having permits, the thought of not deciding where I am going until I get there is really appealing. "

When I did my first pre-opener trip I was worried about the no fishing, but now I enjoy it and it changes the focus of the trip. Last week I went somewhere that has panfish so I brought a rod and tiny tackle box, but I didn’t have any urge to fish while I was there.

I love the deciding where to enter when I get up there aspect of early and late season tripping. I’ve done that a few times and it adds a little excitement to the drive up.

Maybe I’ve just lucked out, but out of the 7 times that I’ve gone up in May, only once was there noticeable bugs and that was the very end of May.

Have a great trip.

As others have pointed out, spring seems to have better weather and longer daylight but can have early bug hatch and fall seems to have more precipitation and early darkness but no bugs. I usually trip spring and fall, especially my solo trips. Last May in the UP just a week or so after ice out I experienced increasing numbers of black flies which caused me to cut my trip short by a day. First time that has happened in quite a few years on a spring trip.

I miss the loon calls and other bird songs on October trips. I've found it to be much quieter compared to early spring trips.