Basswood Lake Trip

[walleyewisher]

Do you guys know about how long it takes to paddle and portage from fall lake to the non motorized part of basswood? we are heading up in mid august. thanks

[Surface Tension]

walleyewisher, I've never gone that route but someone here should be able to help you out.

[bwtrout]

You should be able to make it to the "no-no narrows" in a day, the two portages are short. That could be a killer paddle if the wind decides to work against you. I also assume you would do lunch on the way.

[chaffmj]

Walleyewisher,

I took that route last year but it was in a boat and we went in and came out in the same day. I would think you could be in the non motorized part in half a day but I could be wrong. I am going back there on the 16th of August and will be traveling by canoe and heading toward what they call American point. I'm not sure when you are going but I can post a report on the 20th when I get back.

Chaff

[Duffman]

It's about a 11 1/2 mile paddle to the no motor limit. The two portages are very easy, but they might be a little crowded. If weather conditions are decent, we usually average around three miles an hour paddling. It's probably a half day to 3/4 day paddle, depending on how long you take at the portages and the wind direction/speed.

[long caster]

I agree with duffman. Hope for no wind on the way in and you should be there in a 1/2 day if you keep your nose to the grindstone. Hope for wind at your back on the way out (which we had and it took us a hair over 3 hours to get back to fall)....

have fun, you definetly don't see too many people once you get in the non-motorized area

[long caster]

and duffman......'i will see you down in arizona bay'

[Duffman]

There's plenty of us "praying for rain" lately around these parts.

[Great Outdoors]

After leaving the Fall Lake landing (depending how good a paddling crew you have) should put you in Pipestone Bay within an hour and a half. (Fall to Newton, Newton into Pipestone Bay-2 portages, each about 590 steps)

Proceding down Basswood should put you at the narrows just before the water marker (the non motor area) in another three hours, or less.

[Northlander]

I used to take this trip several times a summer and its a half dayer even with average paddlers. Thats if you dont get lost and can read a map ok.

Some really good fishin in that area. Hidden Bay on your way in has great campsites just outside of it and there is some real fishy areas in that neck of the woods.

Up by the No Motor area you will hopefully find some current and jiggin or drift jiggin can really pay off. Bring some Berkley Power Shiners in Smelt and Rainbow colors and maybe even Chart. Those BWCA walleye seem to really like them at times. Especially in some moving water.

Good luck and have fun its beautiful in there.

Bring some large leeches and a few dozen crawlers to pull on spinner rigs. Never know what your going to hook pulling spinners up there.