Had a good BWCA trip. I have been doing BWCA/Canada trips since the 1960s and it is still something special. The Boundary Waters trip changed from a fishing trip to a travel trip and I completed the loop faster than expected but I still had a great time.
It was easy to tell that you guys at Voyageur have your act together. Your attention to the little details does not go unnoticed. Everything, trip planning, pretrip communication, tow, etc was professional. Thanks for a well performed service.
My impression of the Wenonah Prism is that it is a fast solo boat that is extremely easy to portage. If your plan is to travel it is stable while under paddle. I would suggest however that if a person is going to do much fishing that it is not the best platform for that. My suggestion would be for a solo canoeist who wishes to do a lot of fishing to find a tandem alternative. The same suggestion would apply to a single taking a large dog ( does that happen much??). As long as we were moving forward we were fine but just like a bicycle it gets more unstable when moving very slowly.
Thanks again, I will certainly recommend your company and we will see you again sometime.
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Stephen Rollins O.D
Name: Stephen Rollins
City:
State:
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
Normally I trip into Quetico Park, but this year decided to do a Boundary Waters canoe trip with my daughter Sarah and her new husband John. John is a newbie to the BWCA, but an experienced hiker and outdoorsman, who had no trouble with the trip. We did the Saganaga-Knife-Seagull trip for the beauty, and also to get a look at the burned area.
As usual the scenery was pretty and the canoe trip mostly uneventful (other than the nice views), which is what we want--a nice camping trip with no mishaps or major troubles. However, we made our own amusement with "watermelon head."
We dressed a watermelon in its own life jacket for the paddle (so it wouldn't roll around) and make jokes about it, let it go swimming in the lake water to cool off at the first BWCA camp site, then sacrificed it on a tree stump alter, after which we ate it! It was soooo good after a long day's paddle. Probably had to be there to enjoy the amusement.
We did not see any big game, but did find bear claw marks on a white birch tree at one of our camp sites. Fishing was pretty bad or we were just unlucky, but most people we met said they also had little luck that week. That being said, we did catch catch saugers, pike, and bass, but they were generally small and not very many of them.
Once again, as in all previous trips, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters did a wonderful job in assisting with partial outfitting for our Boundary Waters canoe trip. We purchased some last minute items and rented a Wenonah solo canoe due to our odd number, while Sarah and John paddled my vintage 1975 Mad River Explorer.
We had to drive 7 hours to get to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, so, really enjoyed the bunkhouse stay the night before the BWCA trip, breakfast the morning of, and the showers afterwards.
The staff is always friendly and helpful. Looking forward to our next trip, which will be back into Quetico Park. Hope to have Voyageur be our partial outfitter of choice again.
Name: Frank Bonner
City: Rochester
State: Minnesota
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
As BWCA canoe outfitters and parents we've had the opportunity to take a number of family canoe trips into the Boundary Waters. We love paddling with our kids and think a Boundary Waters canoe camping trip is one of the best family vacations there is.
While there are a number of great BWCA trips to choose from for your family we've decided to list a few here for you to choose from.
Top 5 Family Trip Recommendations
1. Saganaga or Red Rock Base Camp – We've done this BWCA trip even when our kids were in diapers. We've taken a tow boat ride to the Red Rock portage or to a campsite on Saganaga. We've taken day trips, swam, picked blueberries, fished and had an awesome time.
2. Duncan and Rose Lake – When the kids got a bit older we took them into Rose Lake. Stairway Portage is a beautiful portage that is next to a waterfall and is great fun to play in when hot outside. It crosses the Border Route Hiking Trail that can be accessed for day hiking trips that entertain kids for hours.
3. East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine – Give this route a try if your kids are able to carry a small day pack. A nice day trip is to walk the portage to Pine and then to Johnson Falls. You can camp at one site or multiple sites during this trip.
4. Granite River – A great trip for a young family to do a 3-5 day canoe camipng trip. While there are lots of portages you can break them up by camping at multiple sites. It's a great trip for avoiding wind because there isn't big water on the route.
5. Seagull, Knife Saganaga – If your children are a little bit older and have been on another trip then this is the perfect BWCA route. It's a great 5-6 day loop route that has lakes of all sizes, great fishing and scenic vistas. It requires a bit of paddling and portaging and is a great route for families who want to cover some ground and water!
Happy Paddling!
Don't even know where to begin shy of saying THANK YOU Voyageur Canoe Outfitters!!!!
This was my 1st trip to the Boundary Waters and one that I had been looking forward to for 5 years. When my son was turning 8 I told him that when he was turning 13 we would do a week long BWCA trip together. Knowing very well that once he hits the "Fume Years" (Gas Fumes and Perfumes) that he may have other priorities.
The BWCA trip was perfect. The staff at Voyageur's was outstanding (especially Mike), the bunk house the night before departure was comfy, the canoe was outstanding and the food way better than what I would have packed. We covered 18 Lakes, 20 Portages and had a little bit of everything on this Boundary Waters trip: Canoeing in the rain for about an hour, Sunny weather, calm winds, gusty winds, a storm at night, great fishing (my son caught his 1st Smallmouth and 1st Northern) and just about everything else I could have wanted out of the trip.
I have already begun recommending Voyageurs to my friends in the Las Vegas Canoe Club and really looking forward to doing the trip with my 9 year old in a few years.
Thanks again everyone, you have helped create outstanding memories that both my son and I will have for the rest of our lives.
Name: Tom & Alekzander Hall
City: Las Vegas
State: NV
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
This year was my fourth trip into BWCA through Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. This year was different because it was just me and my 13 year old son. This was his first Boundary Waters trip. And what a blast we had. I chose the Boundary Waters entry point 54- Seagull Lake. My idea was to base camp in Seagull and portage into Alpine to do some serious fishing. After setting up camp the first day Me and my son spent the rest of the day swimming and "cliif diving off of a 8 ft cliff in the northern edge of Seagull.
We decided to go to Alpine in the morning. The first night after cleaning up supper, I was very tired so, i decided to goto bed at about 10:30. My son came in tent about midnight. And rouoghly around 12:30 am it started to rain. It did not quit until 11:00 am the next morning. After climbing out tent at 11:30, my son ask me "what do we do now".
At about the same time my son woke up from sleep, the sun appeared in the sky. I told my son get up and lets start hanging up sleeping bags and clothes. Everything in tent was completely soaked with rain water. We hung everything up on lines soo we could sleep on dry sleeping bags that night. Since sun was up, we decided to paddle to alpine. As soon as we reached the portage to Alpine it began to pour down rain. I son asked came we go back to camp. I told him yes that was fine. When we made it back to camp, everthing was completely soggy soaked. My son then asked" do we stay or do we go now? Since the time was 4:30, I told him the we go now.
Once we got back to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters Mike informed us the we received 4 inches of rain that day and that all other groups return in the early moring. I felt better that we were the last to come in. Even though we had 4 inches of rain I would not have chenged a thing. My son and I had a great father and son BWCA bonding experience. Thanks Voyageur Crew.
Name: Liell Lawvere
City: Upland
State: IN
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
I took my daughters to the BWCA for their first time in June. We left the 1st and returned on the 5th. I had not been up to the Boundary Waters for over 20 years. The girls loved it and the Voyageur Canoe Outfitter crew was great. We camped on 3rd bay and fished in ottertrack and swamp. We also got caught in one of the hardest rainfalls they have ever seen coming out of Rabbit lake. We met many great folks while up there and they cannot wait to go back to the Boundary Waters.
Name: Kevin Murphy`
City: Lake Havasu City
State: Az
Voyage: Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
The dates are set for our BWCA canoe camping tips for Women and we'd love to have you be a part of one. If you have ever wanted to take a Boundary Waters canoe trip then this is the perfect opportunity.
It doesn't matter if you have paddled extensively or if you have never been in a canoe you are welcome to participate in a Voyageur adventure. Our trips are designed so you can learn the necessary skills while you're out enjoying the canoe country with other women. You'll participate in all aspects of the trip including setting up the tent, cooking, cleaning, portaging and of course paddling.
The benefits of the wilderness are many and you'll feel a new sense of confidence after accomplishing a BWCA canoe trip.
Itinerary
You will arrive at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters on the first day of your session to meet the rest of your group and discuss your trip. After your routing session, you will pack up your personal articles and depart for 3 nights of camping and 4 days of paddling in the wilderness. Group participants will return to Voyageur on the 4th day and will spend the night in one of our luxurious Lodge Hideaway units to celebrate their accomplishment. Enjoy breakfast with us in the morning in our main lodge before you head for home with wonderful memories of your wilderness canoe camping experience.
Package
This package has been designed for women by women. This complete outfitting package includes everything you need for a wilderness canoe camping adventure. We provide sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, packs, food, canoe, lifevests, paddles and everything you need. You just bring your personal clothing, toiletry items and fishing gear if you want to fish. We send you a trip preparation packet prior to your trip to help you in the packing of your personal items. In an effort to bring awareness to women's health and to promote an active outdoor lifestyle we include a Pink Paddle made by Wenonah Canoe designed by owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitter's Sue Prom. This is a lightweight, bent shaft paddle made from graphite that you will get to bring home with you.
We are offering three scheduled Women's Trips for the summer of 2012. Each session features an easy route suitable for beginning paddlers and costs $500. To reserve your space on a trip just call us toll-free at 1-888-CANOEIT, tell us the session you want to participate in and secure your reservation with a deposit of $250.
July 2-6th- arrive & paddle on the 2nd, off water & stay in lodge on 5th, depart on 6th.
July 8-12th- arrive & paddle on the 8th, off water & stay in lodge on 11th, depart on 12th.
*July 15-19th- arrive & paddle on the 15th off & stay in lodge on 18th, depart on 19th. *For women 50 and older.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us some folks are looking to get away from the city. Many of them want to flock north but don't think they can take a canoe camping trip into the BWCA with this short of notice. The good news is there are still permits to enter the Boundary Waters available.
While I prefer to take longer canoe camping trips into the BWCA I do on occasion take one night and two night trips into the wilderness. On these trips I prefer to find an entry point lake that doesn't involve a portage to get into. Saganaga and Seagull Lake are my two favorite BWCA lakes for a quick trip.
A few other other entry points I like for a quick Boundary Waters trip are Larch Creek and Crocodile River. With just a little bit of paddling and portaging you can be into a nice lake with good fishing. This is also true for Magnetic Lake for accessing the Granite River.
If you only have the weekend off then don't rule out the BWCA. There are plenty of great lakes to choose from and there are permits available at the last minute for many of them.
The answer to the question, "How do I plan a Boundary Waters Trip?" is very simple, you just call an outfitter, preferably Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. We can help you plan a BWCA canoe trip within a few minutes of speaking with you.
The benefits of using the services of a canoe outfitter to help you plan your Boundary Waters Canoe Trip are endless. We've been outfitting canoe trips into the wilderness for 20 years and we know the lakes and the routes. We know what type of fish are in which lakes, the degree of difficulty of the portages and the best places to camp. We also know where you are most likely to run into a moose and when you're most likely to see people. We can tell you lots of valuable information about planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip but you have to give us a call first.
It's our job to outfit folks into the Boundary Waters and to make sure they have a good time and return year after year. We'll help you plan your Boundary Waters trip, we're ready and waiting to do so. 1-888-CANOEIT
Taking kids fishing in the BWCA is a great experience. It's so much fun to see their excitement no matter what the size or species of the fish is. I guess I'm still a kid at heart since it doesn't matter to me what type of fish I catch when fishing in the Boundary Waters, it's always a blast!
In some people’s opinion there isn’t a better month to visit the BWCA than in September. The bugs have departed, the people are scarce and the wilderness scenery is more beautiful than ever bathed in the fall colors. If you’re looking for a real treat then try the Boundary Waters in September.
The temperatures begin to cool down in September and in response the lake’s water temperature also drops. While swimmers may not be too happy about the temperature change the fish are. Walleye and Lake Trout can be found in shallower water once again and become more aggressive. Smallmouth Bass tend to bite less but Northern Pike are as feisty as ever and it’s a great time to catch a trophy Pike. The average daytime temperature is around 66 degrees, nighttime temperature 44 degrees and we only receive 3.8 inches of rain on an average year.
When the temperatures drop the wildlife in the Boundary Waters gets busy. The squirrels and chipmunks scurry about packing away food for the long winter. Bear are busy fattening up and avoiding being shot during the annual bear hunt that is typically the first couple of weeks of September. Small game like grouse are out and about and that hunting season opens as well. Many winged wonders can be seen migrating and the loons bunch up in preparation for their flight. The moose also prepare for their mating season.
The predominantly green landscape of summer begins to change color in the canoe country during September. The September moon is sometimes called the wild rice moon because rice in the BWCA is ready to be harvested or the yellow leaf moon for the changing of colors. The aspen and birch turn golden yellow, the maples a vibrant red and the tamaracks a warm burnt orange color. The process can be slow or quick and the foliage varies from lake to lake but it all is similarily brilliant. The peak color change is different every year but if you’re lucky enough to be in the Boundary Waters for it then you’re in for a real treat.
September is a wonderful time to visit the canoe country wilderness. The peacefulness is plentiful and the bugs are basically non-existent. The fishing, wildlife and changing of colors makes September a very special month to paddle the BWCA.
The first couple of weeks in August tend to be a very popular time to canoe camp in the Boundary Waters. Is it because of the never-ending sunlight, lack of bugs, bountiful blueberries or starry night skies? Whatever the reason August is a great time to visit the BWCA.
The days are a bit shorter in August but are still plenty long for paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters. The lake water is at its warmest for swimming and air temperatures are warm too. The average high temperature is 76.1 degrees, average low 52.4 degrees; perfect conditions for sleeping outside of the tent beneath the stars.
Hang in a hammock between two trees and make yourself cozy. There’s no need for a screen because the bugs are basically non-existent in the BWCA in August. While hanging in the hammock keep an eye on the sky for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Perseid meteors can often be seen as early as July 23, when one meteor every hour or so could be visible. It is possible to see up to five per hour at the beginning of August and when they peak around the 12th of August you could see as many as 50-80 per hour. After the peak the number slowly declines but they offer sky watchers a real treat for the first half of the month. There’s no better place to watch the Perseid meteor shower than in the dark skies of the BWCA.
The light of the moon reflecting off of the lake is another beautiful sight. The month of August is known in Ojibway as the Blueberry Moon. Sometimes blueberries will ripen before August but we’ll almost always have blueberries in the Boundary Waters to pick in August. Along with the blueberries are raspberries, thimbleberries, bunchberries, cranberries and rose hips to pick and enjoy. There’s even some flowers still blooming and they are primarily purple towards the end of the season. Purple Knapweed, Purple Loosestrife and Fireweed are seen in August as are Black-Eyed Susans, Goldenrod and water lilies.
The fishing in the Boundary Waters during August is good. While lake trout go deep the smallmouth bass and northern pike are ready and willing to bite. Walleye can be a little difficult to find but once you find them you’ll catch lots of them.
As if the above reasons weren’t enough to want to visit the Boundary Waters there are other things happening in August such as Monarchs emerging from cocoons, mushrooms ripening, wild rice getting ready to harvest and hummingbirds preparing to migrate. August is indeed a wonderful time to be in the BWCA.
Is mealtime your favorite time when you're camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness? If so, then I bet you have some sort of method of madness for what you put into your BWCA food pack. I have a method of my own when I'm on a solo BWCA canoe trip just as everyone has their own including the Voyageurs from many moons ago.
A scientist named Kennicott had this to say about the Voyageurs' food after traveling with them. "Pemmican is supposed by the outside world to consist only of pounded meat and grease; an egregious error, for from experience on the subject I am authorized to state that hair, sticks, bark, spruce leaves, stones, sand, etc. enter into its composition. It is very rarely that the Voyageurs reject anything in the shape of fish or bird...I think they would eat eggs so nearly hatched that the chick could almost peep."
Most BWCA canoe trip enthusiasts aren't packing Pemmican or purposefully eating hair, sticks or bark. I do know some folks who will kill and eat a grouse and I have even heard of a modern day Voyageur eating a birds' egg but this is seldom done in today's world.
However there are many people who take canoe trips into the Boundary Waters who bring along items to prepare fish for a meal. Whether it is shortening & fish breading for frying or butter & garlic for grilling some folks plan to eat fish while in the woods.
Then there are those people who want to eat in the Boundary Waters like they eat when they are at home. This doesn't work well for me but if you don't mind carrying a ton of weight then pack in the potatoes, carrots, whole onions and fresh fruit. You may as well bring along a cooler for all of the meat and other fresh food you plan to bring along as well.
Maybe at home you eat lots of pre-packaged foods so in the BWCA you don't have to adjust your diet much from the pasta, rice-a-roni, hamburger helper and lipton noodles. Carbohydrates from a box or pouch can easily be found and lately you can find meat in a pouch too. Tuna and Spam come in pouches and I'm guessing chicken won't be far behind.
In other people's food packs for their BWCA trip you might find everything dehydrated. From the strawberries for their just add water shortcake to their astronaut ice cream if it's hydrated then it's not going into their food pack.
Somewhere in between all of these Boundary Waters food pack options is a happy-medium. That's what we like to supply at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. Just the right mix of fresh foods, dehydrated items and things off of the grocery store shelf. We've been packing for BWCA canoe trips for 20 years and we know what tastes good because we've tried it all.
You may not eat just like you're at home while on your Boundary Waters canoe trip but believe me, nothing tastes bad when you're sitting beneath the stars and listening to the call of the loon.
Deciding where to canoe in the Boundary Waters is always a tough decision whether it's your first trip, tenth trip or fiftieth trip. Just like when you're planning a regular vacation you'll want to gather information for a BWCA canoe country vacation. There is a plethora of information on the web including great commercial BWCA websites and outfitter websites. There are also books published about popular BWCA canoe routes but keep in mind the information in books may not always be precise or up to date.
To determine where you want to go in the BWCA you’ll need to know if fishing is an important part of your trip. If fishing is important then you'll want to know what Boundary Waters lakes have which types of fish in them. If you're going to paddle the BWCA in early May then find a lake trout lake because that's what will be biting then. You'll also want to spend less time traveling and more time fishing if it's really important to catch fish. Don’t plan to camp a 12 hour paddle from where you're BWCA starting point is or you’ll spend all of your time paddling and not fishing.
Most folks want solitude on their Boundary Waters Canoe trip. If your goal is solitude then choose a BWCA route with lots of long portages. Look for lakes that are difficult to get to and farther in than a few hour paddle and find a BWCA campsite that is off of the beaten path. This will keep you away from the vast majority of folks. Don't be fooled by thinking an canoe entry point with lots of travel permits is necessarily bad. There are smaller lakes off of some of these bigger lakes that you can find and have all to yourself.
Another factor in determining where you will go in the Boundary Waters is who you are going with. If you’re paddling with elderly or small children then you may want to plan a base camp canoe trip. Find a BWCA lake with good day trip opportunities so people have the option to paddle and portage or stay back and relax.
There are lots of things to consider when planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip. You can find a trip route finder on our website that might offer you some insight. Also, we have maps we can mail you if you’d like to purchase one. Then you can spend time looking at all of the BWCA lakes and dreaming about camping on them.
No matter how many times I've been on Boundary Waters canoe trips it's still a tough decision to decide where to go. Who I'm paddling with, how much time I have and how energetic I'm feeling all make a difference in what route I'll choose. No matter where I go in the BWCA I know I’ll be happier there than anywhere else I could be and that’s a very good thing.
While most of the population is thinking about fireworks and 4th of July parades I’m thinking July is a great time for a canoe camping trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With its warm temperatures, good fishing, refreshingly cool water temperatures and blueberries ripening there may not be a better time than July to visit the BWCA.
Smallmouth bass and northern pike are two easy species of fish to catch in the Boundary Waters especially in July. Troll a lure in a lake inhabited with fish and you’ll have a difficult time keeping the fish off of your line. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll catch something if you put your time in. While some fish snobs don’t like to eat smallmouth or northern pike the people who remove the y-bone and eat these species are in for a real treat. The fish that come from the cold waters of the Boundary Waters taste absolutely delicious when they are prepared fresh. A shore lunch is just one of the many good things about paddling the BWCA in July.
The warm air temperatures combined with the warm water temperatures makes July a perfect time for people who want to spend time swimming. It’s so refreshing and fun to swim from BWCA campsite to campsite or out to an island. Hours of entertainment are provided for families with kids who want to spend time swimming. It’s a very comfortable time of the year not only for swimming but also for sleeping in a hammock.
The nights are warm and the bug population has dropped considerably by July in the Boundary Waters. It makes evenings by the campfire even more enjoyable. The nights get a little bit longer in July but not by much. By mid-month the sun rises around 5:24 AM and sets around 9:00 PM. There’s plenty of daylight to paddle, swim, fish and pick berries.
There’s nothing more satisfying than filling a camp cup with fresh blueberries while you’re out in the Boundary Waters. They taste wonderful in pancakes or when eaten by the handful. In addition to blueberries you may find some strawberries left from June and perhaps ripening raspberries. The wild roses will be blooming along with the Blue Flag Iris, Twin Flowers, Cow Parsnip and many other colorful and fragrant wildflowers.
Also appearing in July are newborn loons. Loons in the BWCA usually have their young around the 4th of July. Look carefully if you see a loon because there’s a good chance there’s a little one riding around the back of their parent. You may also see moose with their young in the water eating underwater plants or cooling off in the mid-day heat.
The lack of bugs, addition of blueberries and good fishing are just a few of the reasons to visit the Boundary Waters in July. With the solitude, scenery and serenity found in the BWCA it’s difficult to understand why anyone would want to swap fireworks in a city for fireflies in the wilderness. But that’s what keeps the numbers down in the Boundary Waters in the beginning of July so I guess we should be thankful for the folks who have to stick with their city traditions for the 4th of July and who leave the BWCA for the rest of us.
The month of June in the BWCA finds all sorts of canoe trippers. From groups of men fishing to groups of students just released from school. There are a few families taking their vacations in June but it’s usually the serious fishermen who prefer to paddle during the month of June.
The water is still cool at the beginning of June and is perfect for catching walleye. Walleye is one of the most sought after fish in the BWCA for their tasty fillets. Fishing at dusk and dawn for these feisty fish usually produces great results. In addition to walleye the lake trout continue to be shallow and hungry until later in the month of June. Northern pike will bite in June and smallmouth bass begin their feeding frenzy about the 2nd week in June. The fishing in the BWCA is good throughout the summer but it is excellent in June.
The wildflowers of the BWCA are really abundant in June. Wood anemone, roses, bunchberries, blue bead lilies and hawkweed are blooming and strawberries and serviceberries are ready to eat. It’s a great time to see the flora of the canoe country.
The wildlife is out and about including some newly born ones. Moose, deer and bear may bring their young out on their first major explorations and if you’re lucky you’ll be there to see them. Young fox might be seen as well as pine marten, fisher and more.
The longest day of the summer is in June and the days right before and after the solstice are perfect for paddling the BWCA. The sun rises just after 5am and doesn’t set until just after 9:00pm providing 16 hours of daylight to paddle and portage through the canoe country. A person wanting to cover some miles can certainly do so in June.
The water temperature begins to warm up in June and most people can tolerate swimming in the chilly lakes by mid-month. The average high air temperature is around 73 degrees and the average low around 51 degrees. The black flies are normally gone by mid-June and the mosquitoes taper off rapidly by then too. You’ll still have mosquitoes at dusk and dawn but once the sun goes down campers can enjoy time at the campfire.
June with it's long days and short nights, warm waters and great fishing is a canoe country lovers dream.
Each month in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers the canoe camper a different experience. While the water temperature in May might be too chilly for swimming it's just perfect for catching a meal of lake trout. There are lots of great reasons to plan a May BWCA canoe trip.
The ice is usually off of most of the Boundary Waters lakes during the first week of May. This is the time of the year to go if you are in search of solitude or moose antlers. Moose lose their antlers during the winter and often times it’s along one of the portage paths. Being one of the first people on the BWCA portages means you could find one of these treasures. The USFS encourages you to leave the antler where you find it for others to enjoy.
As soon as the ice is off the loons return to the wilderness lakes of the Boundary Waters. The bald eagles will have already returned to their nests before the ice is off. The mosquitoes don’t normally appear until later in May but the black flies could come any time depending upon the weather. Wildlife viewing is generally very good due to the lack of people in the BWCA.
Lake trout fishing in the Boundary Waters is phenomenal in May when the water of the BWCA is the coldest. The lake trout are close to the surface and are usually hungry for a meal so are eager to bite. They’ll continue to bite throughout the summer but they swim deeper and deeper as the summer goes on.
The temperatures in May can be very warm or quite chilly. We’ve had snow and we’ve had 90 degree days in the Boundary Waters in May. The average daytime high temperature in May is 66 degrees and the average low is around 45 degrees. Rainfall is minimal with just under 3 inches being the average in the BWCA for May.
If you're looking for a time to have the Boundary Waters all to yourself then take a canoe trip in May. The smell of spring is in the air, the lake trout are biting and your chances of seeing wildlife are wonderful. The BWCA is a great place to be in May.
Kevlar canoes are great for BWCA canoe trips when there is going to be alot of portaging. They are lightweight for carrying and make portages much easier for those without alot of strength and endurance.
It's also great to paddle a kevlar canoe when you're planning to travel alot. The kevlar canoe is made for speed and paddlers in a kevlar canoe can get places pretty quickly. Their streamlined design and almost weightlessness make paddling a kevlar a breeze.
There are however a couple of times when you may not want to paddle a kevlar canoe in the Boundary Waters. For an inexperienced paddler the kevlar canoe may feel less stable than a wider canoe. If a beginner is looking for a solid, safe canoe then an aluminum or royalex canoe may be a better choice. Also, if a person isn't planning to portage at all then the advantage of the lightness of the kevlar canoe no longer becomes important. And if a person is planning to spend alot of time fishing then the royalex or aluminum canoe allows more room for gear and could be the better choice.
I prefer to paddle and portage kevlar canoes and for most people they are the best canoe for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. However, you don't have to have a kevlar canoe to enjoy the BWCA even if you're planning to portage. Some folks swear by their 100 pound sturdy boats and as long as you're in the Boundary Waters that's all that really matters.
Our answer to why take your BWCA trip with Voyageur Canoe Outfitters goes something like this. We've been year round residents at the end of the Gunflint Trail since 1993 and have been outfitting BWCA trips since then.
We're 56 miles from the nearest town of Grand Marais, MN and you are already in the wilderness when you begin your trip up the Trail. Just by driving the Gunflint Trail and coming to Voyageur you're farther into the wilderness than some people get on their Boundary Waters canoe trips.
We love what we do and where we live and this shows. Our enthusiasm and love of the wilderness is evident and we want to share this love with as many people as we can. We take pride in being the best there is in BWCA trip outfitting. We're knowledgeable about the Boundary Waters, Quetico Park, wilderness fishing and camping and everything Gunflint Trail.
We have an excellent facility and incredible staff and we provide a one-of-a-kind outfitting experience. We guarantee your satisfaction with Voyageur and the number of repeat customers we have speaks loudly.
There it is in a nutshell. While it may be easier to just say we're the best it's probably better to give the lengthy explanation, even though we really are the best!
My Boundary Waters Checklist of things I have to do before a canoe camping trip is relatively short. I make sure I leave an itinerary of my BWCA travel plans with someone, have my fishing license and travel permit. You would be shocked to know how many times I almost leave for a canoe camping adventure without my BWCA permit. I also like to make sure my canoe has current registration on it, I have a printout of the latest weather forecast and know approximately when sunrise and sunset times are. With this all complete it's time to pack for the actual BWCA canoe trip.
Trying to remember what all to bring on a BWCA trip can be difficult so I reccommend looking at our website. We list all of the canoe camping gear needed to go on a Boundary Waters canoe trip. In addition we have a BWCA Checklist of items we suggest you bring along of your own. These two lists will help you when packing for your canoe trip.
Upon my return to civilization I immediately grab a cold Diet Coke. Until this happens I can't function correctly. The after BWCA canoe trip checklist is also short. Be sure to contact your loved ones to make sure they know you are out of the woods safely. Then you can remove all garbage & food waste out of your pack so it doesn't begin to smell if it hasn't already. If any of your gear is damp and even if it isn't then it's a great idea to hang up your gear and let it dry out so it doesn't grow mold or get musty. One other thing to do is to update your Boundary Waters Checklist so you can add things you wish you would have brought along and delete things you didn't use.
Keep in mind this Boundary Waters checklist when you're planning and preparing for your next BWCA canoe trip. It will help keep you organized and it will make your Boundary Waters canoe trip all the more enjoyable.
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