Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Ella Hall through Fall lake entry point 24
by Scottdub3

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/12/2023
Entry & Exit Point: Fall Lake (EP 24)
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 4
Trip Introduction:
Great fishing-tough portage and lots of bugs
Report
Mainly a fishing trip, so we had fishing gear along with camping gear. Entry at fall lake was beautiful and we portaged from fall up to Ella Hall, about 2 miles. Brutal portage. We did not have wheels and the area where the beaver has built a dam is not walkable. We had to get in canoes and paddle. About a 1 hour 45 min portage. Once on Ella hall the the two closest campsites were not there. On the map, these are the ones at the back of the first cove to the left of the entry and the one on the point directly across from the entry. So there are 3 campsites out there. They were all used and we were demoralized that we would be portaging back out to go back to fall. One group was packing up and we asked if they were leaving and luckily they were. We were able to set up camp and get on the water. Fishing was excellent. Lots of good smallmouth and large mouth. Mostly caught on worms rigged wacky style, Ned rigs and top water Not many northerns, thank goodness! We were able to have a campfire although the fire band started on the day we left. We kept mosquito nets on the entire time around camp. When the wind wasn’t blowing, the mosquitos were annoying but the fishing made the trip worth it. Caught over 100 total fish in the three days with MANY good ones.