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Lake of The Woods & Rainy Lake
- Thread starter toyman
- Start date
Here's my response to Dave; I thought I'd also post it for the benefit of others:
"Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods are exceptional cruising areas. Weather and bug-wise, late July and early August are usually the best. Speaking of bugs, make a fetish of plugging every, and I mean every, small entrance to your cabin if you value a good night's sleep.
In late summer and early fall, LOW has horrendous algae blooms which Rainy Lake does not. LOW is at the edge of the prairies and has a huge, shallow, south basin that can really kick up. Except in the eastern section (Whitefish Bay), the landscape is not quite as rugged as on Rainy and there are more deciduous trees rather than conifers. But there are a myriad of channels and islands to explore and the fishing is great. There are lots of boat launch sites and when we went there put in near Baudette, MN.
Before I get to Rainy, you will need proper ID such as a NEXUS Card as both of these lakes span the border with Canada. And the Canadians have also required what is known as a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC) that can be had by mail in advance. This allows one to cross into Canadian waters without checking in. Eventually, it is our hope that they will recognize the NEXUS card in lieu of this additional clearance, but given how slowly things move, I cannot guarantee they will have done away with the RABC by this summer.
Given that 60% of Rainy is in Canada, we always get cleared and spend most of our time in their waters. We feel it is somewhat less crowded, due to the border crossing hassles and additional fishing license costs, etc., but that is exactly why we like to go there. Rainy is a beautiful, intricate lake full of pine-crowned islands. From the SW corner, near International Falls, it stretches 35 miles north and 40 miles east, with many bays and arms in between. It has been said one cannot see all of it in a lifetime, and I am beginning to believe this is true. We literaly cannot get to all of our favorite places in any one summer. The best place to launch here is at the Voyageurs National Park ramp on Black Bay, east of International Falls. Both LOW and Rainy have excellent paper and GPS charts and you must get what you need and study them like a hawk. Rainy is notorious and it has been said there are only two types of boaters on the lake, those that have hit rocks and those that are going to. I probably fall into both camps. It's not that Rainy is shallow, it's just that things can change in a hurry."
"Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods are exceptional cruising areas. Weather and bug-wise, late July and early August are usually the best. Speaking of bugs, make a fetish of plugging every, and I mean every, small entrance to your cabin if you value a good night's sleep.
In late summer and early fall, LOW has horrendous algae blooms which Rainy Lake does not. LOW is at the edge of the prairies and has a huge, shallow, south basin that can really kick up. Except in the eastern section (Whitefish Bay), the landscape is not quite as rugged as on Rainy and there are more deciduous trees rather than conifers. But there are a myriad of channels and islands to explore and the fishing is great. There are lots of boat launch sites and when we went there put in near Baudette, MN.
Before I get to Rainy, you will need proper ID such as a NEXUS Card as both of these lakes span the border with Canada. And the Canadians have also required what is known as a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC) that can be had by mail in advance. This allows one to cross into Canadian waters without checking in. Eventually, it is our hope that they will recognize the NEXUS card in lieu of this additional clearance, but given how slowly things move, I cannot guarantee they will have done away with the RABC by this summer.
Given that 60% of Rainy is in Canada, we always get cleared and spend most of our time in their waters. We feel it is somewhat less crowded, due to the border crossing hassles and additional fishing license costs, etc., but that is exactly why we like to go there. Rainy is a beautiful, intricate lake full of pine-crowned islands. From the SW corner, near International Falls, it stretches 35 miles north and 40 miles east, with many bays and arms in between. It has been said one cannot see all of it in a lifetime, and I am beginning to believe this is true. We literaly cannot get to all of our favorite places in any one summer. The best place to launch here is at the Voyageurs National Park ramp on Black Bay, east of International Falls. Both LOW and Rainy have excellent paper and GPS charts and you must get what you need and study them like a hawk. Rainy is notorious and it has been said there are only two types of boaters on the lake, those that have hit rocks and those that are going to. I probably fall into both camps. It's not that Rainy is shallow, it's just that things can change in a hurry."
Thanks Moose, just what I've been looking for.
Now the problem, at my age it makes no difference if women find me handsome or not, and I'm not very handy - now what :shock: ??
Are pump-out facilities available - I (the boat) can go for about a week before it needs a pump-out.
You have radar on your boat, is it necessary?
I have a Garmin - is the chip good ? Which paper charts for the Canadian side?
I'll have more I'm sure - but THANKS, and Merry Christmas !
Now the problem, at my age it makes no difference if women find me handsome or not, and I'm not very handy - now what :shock: ??
Are pump-out facilities available - I (the boat) can go for about a week before it needs a pump-out.
You have radar on your boat, is it necessary?
I have a Garmin - is the chip good ? Which paper charts for the Canadian side?
I'll have more I'm sure - but THANKS, and Merry Christmas !
Well just remember the man's prayer: "I am a man, and I can change, if I have to, I guess."
Anyway, I am not sure about pump-out facilities, but I'd wager the houseboat rental places are equipped and there is one (Rainy Lake Houseboats) not too far from the VNP ramp.
The MOOSE had radar when we bought her and we've used it to good avail on occasion, mainly on Superior, but it is certainly not required.
When I installed electronics, C-Map had the only e-charts for Rainy so I went with Raymarine. Now others are available, but I don't know what Garmin has. There are quite a number of large scale paper charts for the lakes (both LOW & Rainy). Once you determine how long you are going to go out for and roughly where you want to cruise, I can give you the chart numbers and even the name of someone local who can sell them to you.
Al
Anyway, I am not sure about pump-out facilities, but I'd wager the houseboat rental places are equipped and there is one (Rainy Lake Houseboats) not too far from the VNP ramp.
The MOOSE had radar when we bought her and we've used it to good avail on occasion, mainly on Superior, but it is certainly not required.
When I installed electronics, C-Map had the only e-charts for Rainy so I went with Raymarine. Now others are available, but I don't know what Garmin has. There are quite a number of large scale paper charts for the lakes (both LOW & Rainy). Once you determine how long you are going to go out for and roughly where you want to cruise, I can give you the chart numbers and even the name of someone local who can sell them to you.
Al
Thought I'd bring this back to the surface....
During a recent conversation the possibility of a summer cruise from Lake of the Woods (LOW) eastward to Rainy Lake and beyond to Lake Superior seemed very interesting. I will be doing some map reconning, but thought it would be a good idea to poll C-Brat's for their ideas and input. (Thanks to Moose for his earlier comments.)
If anyone has local knowledge, planning resources, cruising guides, chart recommendations, routes, or other relevant ideas; I would really appreciate your ideas.
Best,
Casey
During a recent conversation the possibility of a summer cruise from Lake of the Woods (LOW) eastward to Rainy Lake and beyond to Lake Superior seemed very interesting. I will be doing some map reconning, but thought it would be a good idea to poll C-Brat's for their ideas and input. (Thanks to Moose for his earlier comments.)
If anyone has local knowledge, planning resources, cruising guides, chart recommendations, routes, or other relevant ideas; I would really appreciate your ideas.
Best,
Casey
Cleaning out some of our "stuff" I found an old chart for LOW that I bought one trip we made up there, probably from the 70's - good enough for dreaming all-over. It only give bathymetry for the US side, but the Canadian side looks more interesting. For the big pond on the US side depths are generally ~35'. Could be a bumpy ride. Now need to get some for Rainy.
In June, we are planning to pull the Tom Cat to the Park Rapids, MN area where Lori's mother lives. We may not splash the boat in MN because Lori's stepfather wants to take us to LOW in his boat. From there we are planning to head to Superior and cruise the Apostle Islands. Looking forward to reading what is posted in this thread as I know nothing about boating in MN or WI. Have a couple of recommended guidebooks, which I can post if anyone wants the titles.
Warren
Warren
Inquiring minds ALWAY want to know about guide books and other dream matter.
Our biggest concern, having spent a little time in that area, is the mosquitoes. Once, long, long ago I slept in the cab over bunk in a camper. I slept with the back of my hand against the screen of an open window, I thought they were gonna have to transfuse me the next morning - not pleasant.
Our biggest concern, having spent a little time in that area, is the mosquitoes. Once, long, long ago I slept in the cab over bunk in a camper. I slept with the back of my hand against the screen of an open window, I thought they were gonna have to transfuse me the next morning - not pleasant.
Check out this site for nautical charts provided by the Canadian Hydrographic Service and distributed by Federal Publications Inc. Charts
are somewhat expensive. I have purchased and used their charts for Lake
Superior, Lake of the Woods, Rainy, Kabetogama and Namakan.
http://www.fedpubs.com
If anyone intends to cruise Lake of the Woods, I would suggest a launch from the South rim or the Rainy River, utilizing an access ramp at one of
many resorts. Some resorts may charge a small fee for safe parking.
are somewhat expensive. I have purchased and used their charts for Lake
Superior, Lake of the Woods, Rainy, Kabetogama and Namakan.
http://www.fedpubs.com
If anyone intends to cruise Lake of the Woods, I would suggest a launch from the South rim or the Rainy River, utilizing an access ramp at one of
many resorts. Some resorts may charge a small fee for safe parking.
Casey, Rainy River flows from Rainy Lake to LOW and navigation is interrupted by a dam at International Falls. There are two other rapids along its 80 mile length which can be boated through, depending upon water levels. Rainy River can have quite a current at times so I would not recommend boating it upstream. In fact, unless you have a serious desire, I wouldn't necessarily recommend boating it at all. Also, continuous boating is not possible east of Rainy Lake to Superior, save in a canoe.
Dave, the mosquito population generally quiets down by August, but as I said, make a fetish out of plugging every wee-little hole you can think of, starting where the cables run through the rear bulkhead.
Baudette and Warroad MN both have great public launch areas for LOW. The south basin, as Dave mentioned, is fairly shallow (sandy bottom) but it is also huge. And there aren't many trees between it and the Canadian Rockies so the winds can stir things up to an awful froth.
A shortcut for getting maps, particularly of Rainy is to call Tim at Sportsmens Service (218) 283-2411.
Al
Dave, the mosquito population generally quiets down by August, but as I said, make a fetish out of plugging every wee-little hole you can think of, starting where the cables run through the rear bulkhead.
Baudette and Warroad MN both have great public launch areas for LOW. The south basin, as Dave mentioned, is fairly shallow (sandy bottom) but it is also huge. And there aren't many trees between it and the Canadian Rockies so the winds can stir things up to an awful froth.
A shortcut for getting maps, particularly of Rainy is to call Tim at Sportsmens Service (218) 283-2411.
Al
Yap we WILL be fanatical about plugging holes ! I'm probably gonna have to pipe breathing air in thru filters. On one of my RV trips, Alaska I believe, the buggers were coming in thru the small opening in the screen for the window crank - and the refrigerator vent ! I'd hate to have a breakdown on the road up there !
Thanks for the info guys.
Thanks for the info guys.
Dave, we've even had mosquitoes coming in through a solar roof vent with the fan in exhaust mode!
With the Nexus card one can cross back and forth and if you make land in Canada there is a number one is supposed to call to check in upon returning to the US.
But don't forget about the Canadian Remote Area Border Crossing Permit. I have not yet checked if they are continuing to require one this year, but if I had to bet, I'd bet they will. If you are simply cruising from one end of Rainy to the other and happen to cross into Canadian waters, one should not need the RABC. But if one strays too far into Canada, then they require it.
As far as Rainy goes, about 40% of the lake is in Minnesota and there is lots to see without entering Canadian waters, depending of course on your interests and length of stay. So if you are content with that, you can save yourself a lot of paperwork.
Al
PS- did you get the .gif map files of Rainy I sent you previously?
With the Nexus card one can cross back and forth and if you make land in Canada there is a number one is supposed to call to check in upon returning to the US.
But don't forget about the Canadian Remote Area Border Crossing Permit. I have not yet checked if they are continuing to require one this year, but if I had to bet, I'd bet they will. If you are simply cruising from one end of Rainy to the other and happen to cross into Canadian waters, one should not need the RABC. But if one strays too far into Canada, then they require it.
As far as Rainy goes, about 40% of the lake is in Minnesota and there is lots to see without entering Canadian waters, depending of course on your interests and length of stay. So if you are content with that, you can save yourself a lot of paperwork.
Al
PS- did you get the .gif map files of Rainy I sent you previously?
toyman":qdtee71j said:Inquiring minds ALWAY want to know about guide books and other dream matter.
Here is what I have thus far: Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way and Lake Superior: The Ultimate Guide to the Lake Region. Please post any others you find!
Warren
El and Bill
New member
We're also thinking about heading up to Manitoba and/or Ontario this summer for some cruising. Sure have appreciated the comments on this thread about the lakes and would enjoy hearing more about lakes Winnepegosis, Manitoba, Winnipeg, LOW, and any others in that 'neck of the woods' that folks know about, have cruised on, or will be cruising on.
In mid-summer we will be canoeing in the Boundary Waters with family, and just won the 'lottery' for the routes we had asked to use. Ah, we can hear the mosquitos and black flies licking their chops already.
In mid-summer we will be canoeing in the Boundary Waters with family, and just won the 'lottery' for the routes we had asked to use. Ah, we can hear the mosquitos and black flies licking their chops already.
El and Bill
New member
For a few pictures and words about Rainy Lake and some of that northwoods glory, those curious about the region might check out:
http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/voyageur.htm
http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/voyageur.htm
El, Bill & Al, the photos make it apparent that the areas up there need some real time spent to give the the coverage they deserve.
Al keep telling us the later in the summer, the better off we will be with the bugs. I think it has something to do breeding so enthusiastically that they have no interest or energy for anything else. But with our our commitments we will probably be right in the thick of things - I just hope that they are selective in their breeding frenzy.
Al keep telling us the later in the summer, the better off we will be with the bugs. I think it has something to do breeding so enthusiastically that they have no interest or energy for anything else. But with our our commitments we will probably be right in the thick of things - I just hope that they are selective in their breeding frenzy.
El and Bill
New member
Yes, Dave, Al is absolutely right. He speaks from experience and we heartily second his considerations - the later in the season, the fewer the bugs. Our last camping trip to the shores of the Arctic Ocean (Inuvik, NWT) we did in late September-early October to miss the bugs. We took the chance with cold and snow rather than live with bugs. (The Aurora displays were incredible - we were so far north we looked south to see the 'northern' lights). When we took Halcyon on Rainy Lake it was in September and had little trouble with bugs.
On the other hand, we canoed down the Thelon River in Nunavut in August and lived inside Bug Out net clothing for the entire time. (Someday, after a few sundowners, we'll share with you how we used the 'facilities' (there were none) without being destroyed by the bugs). Canoe-camping in Boundary Waters with our kids (and grandkids) in mid summer, we all wore gloves and headnets. So, there will be black flies, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and other nasties in Manitoba in May, June, July and August (and earlier and later).
So, no problem if you go prepared. We prefer not to use chemical repellants but use netting instead. Inside a truck-mounted camper or the V-berth of a boat we set up a mosquito netting tent around the sleeping area. We have even lived inside netting in the cabin, during a particularly bad time in Ontario/Quebec.
We have also experienced bugs in Alaska (from Ketchikan to Prudhoe Bay) so perhaps our Alaska Brats will chime in with their favorite bug-'remedies'.
Forewarned is forearmed.
On the other hand, we canoed down the Thelon River in Nunavut in August and lived inside Bug Out net clothing for the entire time. (Someday, after a few sundowners, we'll share with you how we used the 'facilities' (there were none) without being destroyed by the bugs). Canoe-camping in Boundary Waters with our kids (and grandkids) in mid summer, we all wore gloves and headnets. So, there will be black flies, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and other nasties in Manitoba in May, June, July and August (and earlier and later).
So, no problem if you go prepared. We prefer not to use chemical repellants but use netting instead. Inside a truck-mounted camper or the V-berth of a boat we set up a mosquito netting tent around the sleeping area. We have even lived inside netting in the cabin, during a particularly bad time in Ontario/Quebec.
We have also experienced bugs in Alaska (from Ketchikan to Prudhoe Bay) so perhaps our Alaska Brats will chime in with their favorite bug-'remedies'.
Forewarned is forearmed.