Hello everyone! Due to scheduling conflicts, the only opportunity I have to get up north this year will be the second week/weekend of October.

I'm looking for any advice from people who have done an October trip before. My group is looking to enter at EP 37 for 3-4 nights. We will more than likely base camp and do day trips out of Malberg. We'd like to find an optimal site with a great view and good fishing from shore. We plan to focus mostly on fishing so any tips on locations, lures, times, etc would be great. We will probably stay and explore Polly the first night and then move up to Malberg the next day.

Thanks for any information!

Never been that late but read a Boundary Waters Journal story about a trip that late.......take lots of warm clothes.

Ha yes we are planning on doing that for sure! Do you recall which month the article was from?

Sounds k k k k k k k k cold...........

I've done an October trip. If your looking for solitude, you'll find it. We had a great time in some usually busy areas that were deserted. In October, outside of moose season, you can continue to move longer in the day because you know you will be able to find an open campsite. Also be careful of the critters (squirrels, mice, ect) as winter approaches, they are pretty bold.

be prepared for darkness....sunset on october 9th is 6:31.

Please read "Lost in the Wild," for some tips and advice on changing weather.

October trips. I have done one for the past 10 years.

Prepare for the cold. Be sure to bring layers, extra socks, a couple of pairs of gloves and a warm hat. Gloves can and probably will get wet so bring two pairs and at least one more extra pair of socks compared to your summer trips.

Bring at least one extra day of food in case the wind keeps you in camp the last day-believe me it happens and the water is too cold to try something dangerous. It can be very windy this time of year.

Be sure your spouses know your route and plan. Remind them if they do not hear from you the day you expected to leave to check the weather. If it is windy that day you most likely are staying put. Some bring a SPOT locating device or a sat phone to keep family members from worrying.

Don't mess with the Moose. They may still be in rut and can be extremely dangerous if you meet up with one on a portage or on the water.

Wear Blaze Orange, at the very least on portages. Lots of hunters in the BW especially near the EP's. Better to be safe than sorry.

Be prepared for the short days. It will be dark by 6:30 or so each night.

No need to reserve a permit but stop in town at the ranger station if time to get a self issue permit. Hate to get to the EP and find the box has none available.

Be sure to bring one tarp for overhead as well as one to block the wind. This is critical if you get a wind driven rain or snow. Believe me it can and probably will happen.

The best advice I can give is to make sure EVERYONE in your group is prepared for miserable conditions. If one person complains about the weather or is not prepared it will affect everyone. It will be bad enough if everyone has a good attitude and will be really bad if one person does not.

Any other questions feel free to ask. It can be a very enjoyable time of year but can also be rather miserable at times.

Bogs gives great advice and he certainly speaks from experience. I can tell you this: The one time my fall trip had to be planned for October rather than the usual late September trip we started with 60's and sun on the 1st day, and then the remaining days it sleeted every day and was in the 30's to low 40's. It's still the only trip I've ever done where we came out a day earlier than planned simply because of the weather.

Last year I was able to get a trip into the numbered lakes on the 5th of November. Days are short, nights are long. It got dark before 5:00 that late in the year. But, the beauty of the BW at that time of year, October included is great. No one to hassle you, nor do you have to worry about campsites. I usually hit the BW in mid October, depending upon the year, the fall colors are out which lead to some great pics. Fishing is also usually pretty good.

As stated before, be careful, wear a lifejacket always, and bring some warm clothes. But the extra precautions are worth it. Pic below is around 4:30 in the afternoon.

again, the darkness, cut plenty of firewood unless you plan to go to bed by 7. it will also be cool out that time of year. we woke up to mid 20's one morning. Hypothermia becomes more of a concern as well that time of year.

Be sure to check the fishing regs.

For example smallmouth bass is catch and release only after 9/13/10 and Lake Trout closes on 9/30/10

Maybe because I winter camp with Boy Scouts I'm not as concerned as some but it should be obvious you have to be prepared for snow and cold. I loved my one trip in October and looking at late September again this year.

And no one mentioned it but kind of nice you can take fresh food and not have to worry about it spoiling because of heat.

And the solitude is fantastic. We saw one solo photographer once and no one else all week other than moose wildlife.

I envy you, I have a hard time getting my paddling buddy to go up in October. We went towards the end of October and had a blast. Warm Fall day with swimming and cold the next day with all our gear on. Good times!

Just so that you know it can be very rainy and cold in October. Not that you shouldn't go. Just be prepared for rain and cold. I actually take winter mittens with a semi-water proof shell for paddling during the colder months (April, May September, October November) in the BWCA. They along with my rain coat and proper gear have saved my life.

Have a great trip.

I been with Bogwalker on a few October trips, mostly the first week of October. You can get all sorts of weather from the 20s to mid 60s; sunny, rain, and snow. Most times it's cold.

One day we woke to 2" of snow and temps in the 20s. Three hours later, it was close to 60 and we had to wear rain gear because of melting snow falling from the trees. one October one of group member went for a swim - intentionally.

Here are a few pics from different October trips.

Water level can be low on the river portion of that EP... as in shove your way to Square one paddle of muck at a time. Doable, but adds time to the first and last day and mentally a bummer unless you expect it.

I think most fall color is gone by mid-Oct... but obviously that's year by year. Doesn't mean it isn't beautiful, even with leaves down. Yes on weather variations - be prepared for anything and ENJOY.

Bannock,

What kind of tarp were you using, I like the style.

The blue tarp in Bannock's photo is a 10x12 CCS 1.1 ounce sil nylon tarp.

You're looking for an optimal site and Malberg has one. Right where Malberg splits you can either head east or west. The site right at that point is real nice. It's up on a high wall and very level on top with several nice tent pads. Nice level site with a great view but I can't tell you what the fishing from shore is like. Over all Malberg is a decent fishing lake with easy access to the Kiwishiwi River. Exit Malberg on the ENE end and troll along until you can re-enter Malberg from the west.

October is beautiful - you may even get a dusting of snow.

The whole Dark thing needs to be addressed. Bring a camp lantern - lacking this, your body will tell you to hit the hay at 7:00 PM, and you'll wake up completely rested at 3:00AM.

Bears and minibears (mice) are on a feeding frenzy. Be very aware and either hang your food well or go with varmit proof containers.

Dress accordingly, Blaze orange is good.

last year the first week of oct. it rained every day up there

quote lars54: "last year the first week of oct. it rained every day up there"

True, it can rain often in October. But then I have been up there where one day it's warm enough (air temperature) to swim (the water is very cold. So, I say unless it's a total washout he should go.

NICE CAMPSITE/FISHING FROM SHORE,
comming in from polly, stay along the north shore, the last campsite before the huge northern arm, is nice in all ways.
last year in october we woke up with six inches of snow and paddled out in a mild blizzard with whitecaps on poplar. go preparred.

love the thread. i am also planning on an early oct solo. great info everybody.

Everyone gave sound, helpful info.

We always go in the fall during late September, early October. This year will be no different. These trips are sometimes include our elementary school aged children. This year we're doing second week of October off the Gunflint-with kids.

We've seen it all. Wind, snow, rain, heat, cold. The best advice, clearly shown is to be prepared and have a great attitude about whatever comes your way.

Beautiful time of year.

Went into Lake One in October a few years back, and had a heck of a trip. A little worried on the portages with my brown canoe...wore orange and shouted, "I am not a moose!!" Fishing was slow, but we did catch a few walleyes. I love the cold; we got snow! I take a group of students dogsledding/winter camping each year into the Dub, and it's my favorite time up there-we have the whole place to ourselves (at least it feels that way). Dress bright and warm, and have a heck of a trip.

You are very lucky. I try to do 3 trips a year (spring, fall and winter). I have been up to the BWCA the second weekend of October 7 out of the past 8 years:)

IT IS ONE OF THE BEST WEEKS TO GO UP!!!

1.) No bugs
2.) No people
3.) Almost a 50/50 chance you'll hit peak fall colors
4.) Cool to cold weather (you can dress for this....100 degree heat you cannot dress for appropriately).

It is IDEAL (unless you like crowds, bugs, heat, etc). Depending on where you go in (and what days) it is very possible you will not see anyone for your entire trip (or only a few by the entry point).

I'd pick a route that has small water. If you tip in the Big water, you are done, literately. The water is pretty darn cold.

Have fun, and I my even see you up there, though I hope not;P

I love October, but it can be a little bit more of a risk. Is it really absurd to suggest on bwca.com that you rent a cabin or bunkhouse near the edge and do the exploring and fishing from there? One of the most incredible times I had up there last year was in a cabin at the edge on November 15-18. It was sunny and nearly 50 each day and comfy at night. The solitude was incredible.

Perhaps, another issue to mention is traveling with so many deer on the move. I think I counted over 30 near the road between Two Harbors and Grand Marais.

quote tobiedog: "I love October, but it can be a little bit more of a risk. Is it really absurd to suggest on bwca.com that you rent a cabin or bunkhouse near the edge and do the exploring and fishing from there? One of the most incredible times I had up there last year was in a cabin at the edge on November 15-18. It was sunny and nearly 50 each day and comfy at night. The solitude was incredible.


Perhaps, another issue to mention is traveling with so many deer on the move. I think I counted over 30 near the road between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. "

Absurd? No. That's what day passes are for :)