Hello everyone:

We will be heading up the second week of June for our second ever trip to the BWCA. We are making a pretty long drive from Virginia. Last year we broke up the drive by fishing a river in Wisconsin and visiting the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

This year we plan to fish the same river in Wisconsin but would also like to fish a river somewhere between Duluth and Ely. Certainly not looking for anyone's secret spots. Just wondering if there is a river where we can get out and stretch our legs for a few hours before we get to Ely. We will not have canoes or other watercraft with us. One that we have targeted is the Cloquet.

Anyone care to help?

The Cloquet River from Hwy 53 down to the St Louis River is a scenic, fun paddle, a few hours. Take out on Hwy 2 a mile or two downstream from confluence. Smallmouth, walleye, channel cats.

Thanks Arctic. We will not have any watercraft. Is it possible to wade the river?

Here is a spot that should fit your plans. Same relative area that Arctic was referring to. A fair amount of water access from shore or wading.
One link below is to the actual rest area. The other is across the highway in MN DNR land.
Here is more info on the river and potential target species. MN DNR

46°57'34.8"N 92°27'38.7"W
46.962927, -92.460706

Thanks. Looks like we will at least be able to kill a few hours and maybe catch a few.

Another option if you're willing to fish south of Duluth instead of between Duluth and Ely...

The Namekagon River (NAM'-ah-kah-gun) is a beautiful river located between Hayward, WI and the St. Croix River on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. US Hwy 53 crosses the river at Trego, just north of Spooner, WI.

It's not a deep river and you'd be able to wade it in many areas. Bass would be your main target.

The Forbes Dam on the St Louis River is a neat spot to fish. It is on Hwy 16, a few miles West if Hwy 53, South of Eveleth.

Bachelor Road access to the Cloquet River. Handy from Hwy. 53. Plenty of room to fish from the bank. Nearby tavern for food and libations.

Bachelor Road Public Water Access Site