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Posted

I was hoping I could ask about how far Trout lake is from entry point #1 on vermilion. Also what is the closest resort with winter lodging from the entry point? I would imagine that is a pretty busy spot with snowmobilers accessing Vermilion. Would there be a pretty good snowmobile trail all the to Trout lake portage by end of next week you think ? Thank you very much....

Posted

By entry point #1 I am assuming that you mean Moccasin Point?

The portage is about 3 miles from there.

Ice conditions are very good. We got 8" to 10" of snow last night and today.

I would think that there would have been snowmobile and truck travel there by next weekend.

Not sure if Shamrock Landing rents cabins in the winter. If they do that would be your best bet as you can easily get to Trout Portage from there! 218-753-5457

Pike bay lodge also rents cabins in the winter. 218-753-2430. Longer snowmobile trip but easy enough if you use the Cantfield Portage on Pine Island. About 6 miles that way.

Cliff

Posted

Thanks a bunch Cliff . I was hoping you would see my post. I was thinking about a trout trip to Trout lake begining next week and was trying to figure out the closest place to access trout lake. The park service shows entry point 1 on vermilion to get to trout so that must be moccasin point your talking about. If you could take the truck all the way to the portage on trout lake that would make it pretty easy..thanks alot

Posted

If you are going to walk across the portage in Trout Lake portage bay, make sure to travel light as the recent heavy snowfall will drift deep on both sides.

Posted

Cliff is right but you could also park at Rice Bay boat launch. Its on the Mud Crick Road

Posted

To verify, can you snowmobile the 3 mile portage, park your snowmobile at the end and walk on from there?

Posted

No you cannot!

You can only snowmobile as far as the Boundary Waters line, which is located about 1/2 of the way across the truck portage which is about 3/4 of a mile long

Cliff

Posted

MNBass brings up a question I have been wondering, is it legal to drive up to the boundary line on a lake in a truck or snowmobile, park there, and hike to another lake for a couple days? Or are you required to park at a landing?

Posted

Not sure on that one. Probably best to call the DNR for that answer.

Cliff

Posted

I know that Gas Augers cannot be used on Trout Lake. I've been told that Electric Augers can't be used either. So to me that means Hand Augers Only on that lake. With the new influx of Drill Powered Augers (like the one pictured), it had me wondering if that would be legal. I'm talking about the Hand Auger bits that are powered by a Dewalt style Brushless Drill.

full-30226-52167-clam_conversioncombo.gi

Posted

Hardly any noise & No pollution and really does follow the leave no trace rules. It for sure would be nice to be able to use them.

Posted

They are illegal also. They are classified as a mechanical device.

Even sails are illegal on canoes in the Boundary Waters!

Cliff

Posted

I could never understand why sails wouldn't be allowed in the BWCA; that one is puzzling. Would row boats/canoes be legal?

Posted

There has been some debate as to the legality of oars and rowing rigs on boats/canoes.

I took my dory into the BWCA two summers ago and passing the granola crunchies like they were standing still really seems to get their panties in a bunch. Guess they didn't like thier $2500 kevlar being shown up by some hillbilly in a $250 home made rowing dory.

I figuring they all whined and moaned to any ranger who stopped by, because my third day in the rangers finally caught up to me to 'see what was going on'.

Their interpretation of the rules saw no issue, probably because I had pins rather than a true oar lock. Both a paddle and an oar are simple levers, both are human propelled. One is slightly more efficent, exactly like a bent paddle is more efficent than a straight paddle. Technically a paddle is a simple machine. If the crunchies really want to play that game, lets manadate no paddles; stick your hands in the water and paddle like a real man...

The rangers did ask that I not bring it into the wilderness in the future, even though I was completely legal in their eyes. I imagine they get tired of hearing all the pis-moaning from the crunchies...

Posted

We had had canoes with rowing kits in Little Trout, Oriniack and Pine and have been checked by the rangers both in camp and at the the portages. There were absolutely no issues with their use. We have seen others use them as well. I think you would have a pretty strong case if they ever decided to try and ticket you.

As mentioned above, anything other than a hand auger is illegal in the BWCA including lakes that you can use outboard motors in.

Posted

No powered augars. The new hand augars cut so easy now it is amazing.

Posted

+1.

I bought a 6 inch Nils last year and I feel like I could cut all day with it. I'd rather have an 8 for lakers but I can use the Fish Toys ice saw to connect the dots wink once I find the spot I want to fish.

Posted

Good information guys!

Posted

Here is a perfect example. Group of locals did a trip in the BWCA and documented it.

http://queticosuperior.org/blog/video-birds-eye-boundary-waters

They utilized a camera drone which is a blatant violation of the law. The crunchy blogosphere is gushing about how cool the video is while ignoring the legalities.

But god forbid you fire up an electric ice auger. They would crucify you.

Posted

Fished trout yesterday all day. Travel conditions across vermillion were still alright but the drifting is not making it any easier. Hiking in we broke trail across portage bay and onto main basin of trout as it was all drifted and snow getting deeper on north side of both land portages. 16 inches of good clear ice and no flooding happening. Had a few follows, dropped baits and iced a couple. Got a 7 lber.

Posted

Great report Jeremy. Thank you very much for posting. Did you walk in from the bwca line ? How long did it take to hike in from where you left ? I just ask because Trout is on my small list of places to camp next week and I've never been there before. Again your report is very much appreciated. .

Posted

Great report Jeremy. Thank you very much for posting. Did you walk in from the bwca line ? How long did it take to hike in from where you left ? I just ask because Trout is on my small list of places to camp next week and I've never been there before. Again your report is very much appreciated. .

Drove across from Moc. point, parked at the truck portage, hiked across portage bay, through the bog and onto main basin of trout. I'm a very fast walker even with a sled and house on my back but the fishing partner couldn't keep up with me so I stopped multiple times. Even at that, we were out in 55 minutes. Time will really be dependent on snow depth on the lakes but the portags were hard packed and fast.

Posted

Thank you !

Posted

Just to clarify the entry point number question: Entry Point #1 refers to the portage (either canoe or mechanical) into Trout. It is designated entry point #1 for entry into the BWCAW.

Posted

Thanks for the report Jeremy!

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • JerkinLips
      I moved the clips on the jet needles up to the top groove to lean it out.  This eliminated the mid-range bog and the sled accelerates well even when warm.  The plugs are not quite dark now, but look good.  I'll have to rebuild the Mikuni carbs this summer for the permanent solution.  I'll also repair or replace the primary clutch to eliminate that issue.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  
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      🤣👍 kettle might have this dating thing...or first date thing all wrong.......first question he should ask the cute little lady is if she knows how to clean fish and clean mallards!!!😉👍🤣
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      Yeah, ya gotta be careful with that…
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      No.  I tried posting a 15 second video a while back in the accepted MP4 format and it wouldn’t play.  It sucks.
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    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  There is still some ice fishing taking place by some hardcore ice anglers, but most have called it a good year.  For those still getting out on the ice, fishing has been good.  Most resort ice accesses have been closed for the year.  Safety first always.   Ditches are running along the south end of the lake which means water is running into the bays.  Moving water will soon pop open the bays and anglers will be out open water targeting huge pike while they head to spawning areas.  Pike fishing is year round on Lake of the Woods and can be excellent during the spring in back bays. On the Rainy River...  Spring open water fishing began over a week ago and has started out very good with some big walleyes being caught and released!     As of April 8th, the Rainy River is open to the west of Baudette and gaining every day.  With warm temps in the weekly forecast, not only will the ice deteriorate quickly, but the walleye bite should get even better.  Weather forecast in the next week shows 60's.   There are three boat ramps open.  The Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier Access (about 8 miles to the west of Nelson Park) and the Vidas boat ramp just east of Clementson and the Rapid River.     Most walleye anglers are jigging with either plastics or minnows.  Use bright plastics such as chartreuse, orange, pink and white.  Some are slowly drifting a jig with a minnow such as emerald shiners, fatheads or rainbows.     Trolling crankbaits against the current is also effective and will catch fish.  This is also a good technique to cover water if you are not on fish. Rainy River walleye fishing is catch and release from March 1st through April 14th on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  Initial reports for sturgeon are also good.  Anchored up in a hole or on the slope of a hole with a no roll sinker and sturgeon rig is the ticket.  A sturgeon rig is about an18 inch leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers and emerald shiners.  Here are the seasons for sturgeon fishing...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th. Up at the Northwest Angle...  It has been a great ice fishing year up at the Angle.  While there are a few locals still getting out, resorts have pulled off their fish houses and called it a year.  There are many areas showing open water primarily where there is current.  Progress to open water is being made.   The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well.  You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th.    
    • Kettle
      If you stop by Kramer lake on 38 north of Rapids someone made a chair out of a hospital commode and a lunch tray. Been there for 20 years. 
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