Have you ever been on a trip and paddled a lake that doesn't have a campsite, but really wish that it did? I'm curious to hear where others have envisioned setting up camp but haven't been able to.

For the sake of simple hypothetical discussion, I am choosing to overlook bigger picture talking points like potential impact on permit numbers, strain on federal resources etc...

Put simply, is there a lake that doesn't currently have a campsite that you think would be a great spot for at least a single site? If so, what lake? Bonus points if you've already explored and know where the site should go.

Likely wouldn't be top of the list, but most recent for me was paddling through Adventure on the way to Ima and thinking it would be a beautiful lake for a single site. A decent amount of traffic during the day but would be very peaceful at night.

Copper lake - off Snipe. The fact that Missing Link EP allows 5 permits a day must mean the forest service believes most permit holders there head down to Tuscarora. With Cross Bay EP allowing 3 permits a day and 2 campsites, and Rib having 1 campsite - then none on Lower George, it would seem logical to have a campsite or two on Copper. As to where? We didn't leave the canoe while on Copper other than to use the portage from Snipe. It is such a beautiful and quiet lake - seemed perfect for a campsite or two.

Mulligan comes to mind

Finn! Takes enough work to get there that being a dead end would deter most campers. Very pretty lake, although Jesse and I didn't scout for potential sites.

Bench. Just getting your canoe and gear there would earn you the right to stay. I'd hate for it to get slammed even harder by people who "have to" catch limits for their entire group, every day, though, so it's probably a good thing it doesn't have a campsite.

Brigand lake in weeny PMA. I think it had a site at one point but having a campsite and maintained portages through contentment and brigand would really open up more loop options. Plus it's GORGEOUS

Bug Lake (Louse River Route). There is a nice rock outcropping on the north shore that looks perfect for a campsite.

Cave-Ross-Sebeka Lakes (Banadad to Long Island) - I love the solitude back in here. The portages are such that only a few people visit this corner of the BW.

Amimi (North of Hoe and Fee Lakes) - They would have to open a new portage here, but, I think more people would be likely to visit the PMA if there were an easier way this far. (Maybe that's why they don't.)

Kivandeba (East of Pan Lake) - I thought there was a campsite here at one time?

Fente Lake (Frost River west) - This would give the Frost River paddlers another option than going to Hub or Mora Lakes if the Afton Lake campsite is taken.

I think that the placement of campsites has more to do with the existence of a breeding population of game fish than with anything else.

I do have a list and those lakes end up on my winter camping list when the existence of a campsite doesn't matter.

A few for me: Cliff, Finn, Echo, Cam, Java, John Ek (hehe), Smite, Lake of the Clouds, Morris, and Shrike to name a few. On the flip side, I love that there are lakes on maintained routes that don't have campsites as it reinforces the wilderness nature of said places where you never get to stay very long and are only passing through.

TreeBear: "I do have a list and those lakes end up on my winter camping list when the existence of a campsite doesn't matter.


A few for me: Cliff, Finn, Echo, Cam, Java, John Ek (hehe), Smite, Lake of the Clouds, Morris, and Shrike to name a few. On the flip side, I love that there are lakes on maintained routes that don't have campsites as it reinforces the wilderness nature of said places where you never get to stay very long and are only passing through. "

Of course, how could I forget LOTC? Lunar would be a sweet lake to camp as well. I love that notion though that you're just passing through; it keeps the fleeting moments fleeting, which draw me back with the hope of exploring more of the unknown.

Rove, I think it would take some pressure off of Rose when traversing along the border.

technically_rugged: "Bench. Just getting your canoe and gear there would earn you the right to stay. I'd hate for it to get slammed even harder by people who "have to" catch limits for their entire group, every day, though, so it's probably a good thing it doesn't have a campsite."

like your quote. Brook trout lakes are special and few and far between. Being in a wilderness setting I hope especially these lakes it is more catch and release. Actually, brook trout are easy to fish a population down fast.
Thanks for your attitude.is

technically_rugged: "Bench. Just getting your canoe and gear there would earn you the right to stay. I'd hate for it to get slammed even harder by people who "have to" catch limits for their entire group, every day, though, so it's probably a good thing it doesn't have a campsite."

+1. Only time that I was there with a buddy, I was already scanning for potential sites!

Sebeka would be a nice lake for a single site.

Echo (North of Brule) It's a quiet, beautiful lake, but it is a dead end portage.

Kingfisher. It would be nice to have one campsite.

Trygg. The one marked site is essentailly non-existent. But it’s a great brook trout lake.

Maybe octopus lake along the frost river.

Morgan lake...after that portage from the road you have earned the right to setup camp.

Something between Brant and Bat. The lakes are beautiful and the portages tough. It would help take pressure off Brant as well.

Lake of the Clouds for sure - but I guess its pristine nature might be better protected without one? I want to base camp on Gigikiki sometime and spend a whole day on LOTC.

Pinetree: "

technically_rugged: "Bench. Just getting your canoe and gear there would earn you the right to stay. I'd hate for it to get slammed even harder by people who "have to" catch limits for their entire group, every day, though, so it's probably a good thing it doesn't have a campsite."

like your quote. Brook trout lakes are special and few and far between. Being in a wilderness setting I hope especially these lakes it is more catch and release. Actually, brook trout are easy to fish a population down fast.
Thanks for your attitude.is "

To be fair, stream trout don't live that long, and the stocking programs are essentially feeding a put-and-take system, so a lot of the fish will die naturally if not taken by anglers. I don't feel guilty about keeping when I go, because I'm lucky to catch a few usually, and am in 99% of other cases a C&R sport angler. But there are many others who will do everything in their power to catch limits for their entire group. It's unfortunately too prevalent in the fishing community, at least in MN. Then they blame the DNR for declining populations. lol. There are a lot of variables there, but you can do your part by not keeping limits "just because you can".

technically_rugged: "

Pinetree: "

technically_rugged: "Bench. Just getting your canoe and gear there would earn you the right to stay. I'd hate for it to get slammed even harder by people who "have to" catch limits for their entire group, every day, though, so it's probably a good thing it doesn't have a campsite."

like your quote. Brook trout lakes are special and few and far between. Being in a wilderness setting I hope especially these lakes it is more catch and release. Actually, brook trout are easy to fish a population down fast.
Thanks for your attitude.is "

To be fair, stream trout don't live that long, and the stocking programs are essentially feeding a put-and-take system, so a lot of the fish will die naturally if not taken by anglers. I don't feel guilty about keeping when I go, because I'm lucky to catch a few usually, and am in 99% of other cases a C&R sport angler. But there are many others who will do everything in their power to catch limits for their entire group. It's unfortunately too prevalent in the fishing community, at least in MN. Then they blame the DNR for declining populations. lol. There are a lot of variables there, but you can do your part by not keeping limits "just because you can"."

Drives me nuts. I know a number of folks who don't consider fishing a success unless they catch there limit. Ask them how fishing was, "Got our limit!" I also know a number of folks who will sit and catch and release for numbers, proudly proclaiming, "We caught 50 walleye today!" They likely killed more fish than the guy that kept his limit. Both are legal, so...

Rum Lake, near Little Trout.

straighthairedcurly: "Something between Brant and Bat. The lakes are beautiful and the portages tough. It would help take pressure off Brant as well." Couldn't agree more! I have wanted to do that route for a while but with the only options of not getting a Brant site being 3 more tough portages or a makeshift "cheater" I have had to pass.
Is there a reason there aren't more sites along this route? What constitutes a possible site other than bed rock for the fire grate?

Boppasteveg: "Kingfisher. It would be nice to have one campsite."

+1

Yodeler. I found the old campsite with the wooden thunderbox spiked shut when i visited and it seemed like a pretty neat spot. There is a nice spot on the north too that looks like the even more obvious campsite option. Either way, it is a neat little lake and I would have loved to stay the night on that dead end.

Cliff Lake