A committing northwest expedition up the Moose and Nina Moose rivers to Agnes and the 29,000-acre international-border lake Lac La Croix, home to pictographs and Warrior Hill. The bog-stained river lakes contrast sharply with the clear border water.
- 29,000-acre Lac La Croix on the Canadian border
- Ojibwe rock-art pictographs
- A real multi-day expedition
The route
Lakes on the route are colored by water-quality grade; the entry point is ringed in dark. Toggle the portage layer to see the carries.
The water you'll paddle
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nina Moose Lake | St. Louis | F | 2 ft |
| 2 | Agnes Lake | St. Louis | B | 11 ft |
| 3 | Lac la Croix Lake | St. Louis | C | 8 ft |
Every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury advisory — see eating your catch.
Where to stay for the Lac La Croix Expedition
Base your trip in Ely — outfitters, cabins, and lodging near the Moose/Portage River North.
Top-rated places to stay near Ely
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's rated advanced and typically takes 5–7 days covering roughly ~35 miles. A committing northwest expedition up the Moose and Nina Moose rivers to Agnes and the 29,000-acre international-border lake Lac La Croix, home to pictographs and Warrior Hill. The bog-stained river lakes contrast sharply with the clear border water.
At Entry Point 16 (Moose/Portage River North), which releases 5 permits per day. Reserve it through Recreation.gov during the May–September quota season.
The lakes on this route — Nina Moose Lake, Agnes Lake, Lac la Croix Lake — carry our A–F water-quality grades, shown below. Remember that every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury fish-consumption advisory regardless of clarity.