Month: August 2026

Most Minnesota paddlers pack up after Labor Day—but that’s a mistake. September brings easier permits, emptier campgrounds, and predictable weather. Learn why fall is actually the best time to plan and execute serious multi-day routes in the Boundary Waters.

Most paddlers book the Boundary Waters in July and August, fighting crowds and bugs. But the real magic happens after Labor Day, when permits open up, the water stays warm, and the fall colors begin. September is the BWCA’s best-kept secret.

Most BWCA fishing guides miss critical August planning details. David Ohnstad explains why late-summer Boundary Waters trips demand fundamentally different logistics than spring paddles—and shares what actually works for walleye and smallmouth success.