Using a power auger in the BWCA

  • #1301247

    Hey guys,

    Looks like I will be heading up to the BWCA this weekend to fish Sea Gull for the first time.

    My question is, since this lake is in the BWCA, can I use a power auger, or do I need to use a hand auger???

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    #840684

    Last time I was up there (snowbank lake), you could not cross the line with a power auger. Never understood why the line cut a lake in 1/2. Make it all “no-gas” or all “gas”.

    llong
    Posts: 197
    #840697

    That is correct you cannot use a power auger in the boundary waters. There are rumors going around that they might change the laws on that coming up sometime in the future. They are talking about maybe allowing power augers in the bdub on lakes that outboards are allowed. We will wait and see, but I won’t hold my breath. Good luck up there

    mikehd
    Dousman, WI
    Posts: 965
    #840706

    Quote:


    Boy do I miss going up to Snowbank. I spent alot my childhood years fishing the opener up there for Lakers and Walleyes. Quite a special lake!


    Spent 4 seperate weeks up there at Wilderness Bay Resort – I agree – I love it up there

    Mike Klein
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 1026
    #840718

    I always used the electra from strikemaster. I know on Sag it is no power auger in MN side.

    yodeldog
    Farmville, MN
    Posts: 115
    #840730

    No gas powered augers in the B-dub. I was up there on Snobank Jan 15th for trout opener and there was lots of trucks way past the line for BWCAW. I was hoping the warden would have showed up to ask him about the boundary line. Fishing was slow

    mrwalleye
    MN
    Posts: 974
    #840791

    http://www.bwca.cc/tripplanning/rules.htm

    MOTORS NOT ALLOWED
    With the exception of a few lakes, motors are not allowed in the Boundary Waters. This applies to all motorized equipment: boat motors, electric trolling motors, chainsaws, power augers, generators, pumps, snowmobiles, ATV’s, remote control boats and planes, etc. You cannot have them in your possession, whether in use or not.

    buck-slayer
    Posts: 1499
    #840795

    After reading all the rules, I will never go there.

    icenutz
    Aniwa, WI
    Posts: 2540
    #840934

    I used to go to the BWCA 40 plus years ago every year. I understand some of the restrictions but they are ruining it.

    My father logged the BWCA back in the late 50s, we lived outside Ely in Camp 10. Nothing but tar paper shacks. It was a great life back then. They were not allowed to have a boat in there but had one hidden and the fishing was amazing. I have not been up there since 1994 but would love to take dad back up there, he just turned 80 and his knees are not very good but I think I can still manage to get him in there one more time this summer. We always entered on Kawishiwi Lake and crossed about 10 lakes to get back in where we hardly saw anyone.

    We had a picnic table that they hauled from a lower lake way back when you could use a motor one spring during high water. That thing took 2 men and a boy to just lift it. Some butt heads either chopped it up for fire wood or the Rangers used it to build a commode.

    1313
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 7
    #841165

    Many people forget that it’s actually called the BWCAW. The last W stands for wilderness. As was stated above, all motorized equipment is forbidden except for a few areas where motorboats are allowed. This includes electric motors as well. As a matter of fact, even portage wheels (basically handcarts) are prohibited. As someone else mentioned, if you don’t like the rules, don’t go there. It’s getting too crowded as it is anyway. There are plenty of places to go where motors and vehicles are welcome, and there are very few Wilderness Areas that you can go to get away from them.

    Brian

    #841188

    Thanks for all the replies guys!

    I guess if i’m gonna fish the wilderness, i’ll have to go back to more primitive ice fishing tools. It’s been a while since i’ve hand augered through 30″+ of ice, but it should make for an interesting experience.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18715
    #841194

    Ouch! Pick your spots wisely. It will be nice if the ice supports sonar penetration. That would help you out immensely.

    mrwalleye
    MN
    Posts: 974
    #841327

    Justin:
    Pick up a 5″ lazer hand auger( its only 6-lbs ) to use for searching out spots to fish, you can fly through 30″ of ice with ease and if your in a lake with small trout or walleyes a 5″ hole is good enough ( Hell i got a 10# pike up a 6″ hole through 36″ of ice last year )

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    #841419

    My buddy does a dog sled trip up there tip up fishing for Pike. They use dead bait primarily. I haven’t yet done it yet. Make sure your blades are sharp as can be and use the two man method and you can get get a holes drilled pretty quickly. I recommend at least 8 inches of hole from the pictures I’ve seen.

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