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Burntside / BWCA

TProGuy
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TProGuy Collaborator

TProGuy

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Good morning all,

I have a couple questions about Burntside Lake and the BWCA lakes northwest of there.

First, are there any public campsites on Burntside on the western or southwestern part of the lake? Some friends and I are going to be heading into the BWCA through the portage to Crab Lake, and thought that a campsite on Burntside might be a nice place to stay on our last night (on our way out).

Second, can any of you give me any info about the fishing on lakes such as Crab and Cummings? I have looked at the info on the DNR website, but most of the reports are quite old. Any new, more updated info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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ditchpickle6996 Collaborator

ditchpickle6996

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I don't think there are campsites on the west end. There are a couple of nice island sites on the north arm though. The lakes back in the Crab and Cummings area are going to be mostly Smallies and Pike. It is a nice area and pretty quiet for the "modern BWCA". Oh yeah, the Crab Lake portage is a bit of a jaunt and it has moved to the west side of the point a few years ago so make sure you have an updated map.

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TProGuy Collaborator

TProGuy

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The map I have shows the portage coming in on the south eastern lobe of the lake...does this sound right?

From what I gathered from the DNR, I figured the fishing was smallies and pike, no walleyes. Do you know if the fishing on these lakes is generally pretty good?

Also, since this is our first trip to the BWCA, I am a bit unfamiliar with some of the map terms used, especially one of them. Portage distances are listed in rods...how far is one rod?

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ditchpickle6996 Collaborator

ditchpickle6996

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A rod is 16' or one canoe length. (translation - Crab Lake Portage = long ) laugh.gif The portage on B-side is the one that was changed. It is around a little point on the west side of the peninsula from where it was. There is a little sign that says "Crab Lake Portage". The fishing can be good for smallies and mostly smaller pike. I think it's a good trip if you looking for solitude.

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ditchpickle6996 Collaborator

ditchpickle6996

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[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

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yukon Community Regular

yukon

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Tpro, There are a couple of nice campsites on burntside in the bays just northeast of the crab portage. nice sights

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ditchpickle6996 Collaborator

ditchpickle6996

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[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

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Great Outdoors Mentor

Great Outdoors

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The only campsite that would be kind of on your way back to the Van Vac landing is the one in the bay where Crab Creek flows into Burntside. Others are in School section bay, two just past north arm narrows (heading north), and one in the short cut portage bay. These would take you away from the landing, but if you didn't care, should be available if coming out on a Sunday thru Thursday.

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Casaloma Proficient

Casaloma

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TPro, as I have made the trip many times by Canoe, I would suggest you launch from the Slim Lk. Portage ( North Arm Public access, Must Park after the unload ). There are a couple of sites between Crab Portage & North Arm both USFS & Natl Forest land to camp. IMHOP North Arm is the way to paddle, otherwise those islands can get tricky in mid-lake. I guess what Im saying is that North Arm is easier to navagate than the VV to Crab Portage ( anyone agree?? ).

Use the search to find more fishing info. on this route. Much has been said if you adjust the search peramiters to, like, 3 years...Really!

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TProGuy Collaborator

TProGuy

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Thanks for all the help! I guess we still have a bit of homework to do before the trip. We still have three weeks before we go, so we should be able to hammer things out before then.

Unless I missed it in the other posts, any info on Cummings Lake?

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Casaloma Proficient

Casaloma

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Helluva smallie lake, that cummings. Nice campsites. Rely on others & the search feature to locate 'eyes on the Crab Kk. route, as Cummings is certianly not the only destenation Lake.. laugh.gif

Good Luck!

-CLoma

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Great Outdoors Mentor

Great Outdoors

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It's a far shorter paddle to the Van Vac landing than the North Arm landing, from Crab Lake Portage,or Crab Creek.

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