I am looking for any info on the town of Lac la Croix, overnight camping, parking, the road traveling to the town. Thank you in advance for any info on your experience in putting in at this point! Bill

My main destination is Pooh Bah, with lower Sturgeon a secondary destination. I'd just as soon drive around into Canada and give them my money over what looks like a $200 boat ride from Crane lake per person. We are going in late May, it is a very light time to enter the park as far as people go and I am interested in the shortest canoe route into the park. From a google earth map it looks like there are plenty of roads around this reservation with landings on the lake close to the ranger cabin

bigpike wrote on Jan 18^th, 2011 at 5:45am:


Late May eh? Pooh Bah....lower Sturgeon :question

Going for big pike bigpike? You will have to let us know how you do. If you feel more comfortable you can PM me and if you catch big ones galore we could be freinds .

wally wrote on Jan 18^th, 2011 at 1:51pm:


I thought of that too, but was too lazy to include that tidbit of info as I was called out on a fire run in the middle of typing my post. I never see that much traffic on the "Little" Vermillion River like I do the other entries.

bigpike,

How long are you in for?
I understand your wanting to get in park as fast as possible, but coming from LLC village on the Canadian side, may or may not be the fastest entry?

Are you planning on paddling from LLC or  arraigning a tow over to the Maligne River? The winds in May are usually out of the E-NE, on LLC that can mean some big water. I know there is a Native Tow Operator working out of LLC village, I believe his name is Ed Ottertail. Others here might have his contact info. Last I heard/read, he would take you anywhere on LLC for $100 US.

You'll also be fighting the current going up the Maligne, which depending on winter/spring rains can be formidable.
If you have some time, you could go in at Beaverhouse. A long day with luck, or a day and the half would put you on the lower Sturgeon.
I'd go thru Badwater, down thru to Bentpine creek, which exists west of the lower Sturgeon. Other than Badwater, the portages are short and the lakes small enough, wind shouldn't be a problem till you hit Sturgeon. They're all walleye/ NP lakes.

From there you can go down Maligne, portage east in Poohbah, and either return the way you came, or go up thru Jean Creek, into Jean Lake at up to Quetico. Wind should be at your back there.

Or you could go from Poohbah down to Maligne and paddle to LLC village if you so inclined. If you have more than one vehicle your options would be enhanced.

I guess your time frame will determine the best course. If you fish the Lower Sturgeon, be sure to head up to where Jean Creek empties into Sturgeon Lk. There is a decent island/peninsula campsite just east of that area. I saw 2 guys just hammering the big pike there one year. Everyone was picture worthy