hey all. Some family and I have a trip planned to the bwca starting may 17. We will be goin in on entry point 16 in the Cook Area/LaCroix Ranger District. I am getting real worried about the ice conditions up there. It would be great if anybody could give me some information or direct me to another spot where I can find info on my own. Thanks much, greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Kraska, post this on the Lake Vermilion board, too. Lots and lots of folks on the Cook end of the Big V pay more attention to that board than this one.

And if you want a solid iceout report, give the LaCroix district office a call. They'll tell you.

Kraska, I just did a search and found that Entry Point 16 is the Moose River. I was up there yesterday, and the the Moose River was open as far as the eye could see where it crosses the Echo Trail and also where it crosses the loop off the Echo Trail. All the creeks and rivers already are open.

None of the lakes up there were open, however.

I still recommend calling the LaCroix District for a better lake ice report. Unless the weather really clamps down, I'd bet your whole route will be ice free by the 17th.

thanks a lot catfish. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely give them a call. Let me know if you hear anything else. Take care.

Kraska, only place you'll find ice on May 17th will be in coolers. Now if you were going on Opener, you should worry.

Hey Kraska,
Any chance that you'd be willing to share a report on your trip when you return?? My brother and I will be venturing down the same entry for 4 days the first week of June, planning on heading into LLC. Would really be interested to hear about water levels, temps and anything else you're willing to share (ie fishing success/failure)

If you'd prefer, I'll post an email addy for contact. Have a good trip, I think you may be be making record time down river this year

xplorer. I'd be happy to share a report with you. I went to the same spot last year the second week of june. give me your e-mail and i'll do it that way. record time down the river, lowest time ever heading back up!

Kraska,
Much appreciated!! c e d l a n d at d.umn (leave out the spaces). I'm not sure how far we will get into LLC before finding an open campsite, but will basecamp from thursday til sunday, fishing the surrounding areas hard. Gonna spend a little time trying and get my brother his first laker up west of Fishstake.

stfcatfish,
I know you have been up the trail how is the ice on Big Lake?
Chaff

chaff, there was a little bit of water around the edges the day before yesterday, and the ice was mostly white. It's raining now and windy, and it's supposed to be windy tomorrow and hit the 60s a lot of next week.

No idea, man. Sorry. Haven't been up that far. You might tray the LaCroix Ranger District in Cook for an ice report.

hey all. Just wondering if anyone has any new updates on the area? Its been a week and a lot can change.

Agassa and Ed Shave about 15-20 miles from Ely up the Echo are open. Big Lake is only a couple days short of iceout. I haven't been up the Echo as far as Jeanette, but I'd bet that's open too, shallow as it is, or at least darn near open.

awesome. it sounds as if things are looking real good. hopefully this weather continues to get nicer. good luck on opener catfish