The busiest and most storied corridor in the Boundary Waters: a tow-friendly chain from Moose up to giant Basswood, gateway to the border route and Canada. The 20-rod Prairie Portage is the crux.
- 25,000-acre Basswood Lake
- Prairie Portage to the international border
- Trophy smallmouth and walleye
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 | Moose Lake | Lake | B | 13 ft |
| 2 | Newfound Lake | Lake | B | 12.8 ft |
| 3 | Sucker Lake | Lake | B | 12 ft |
| 4 | Basswood Lake | Lake | C | 9 ft |
Every Boundary Waters lake is under Minnesota's statewide mercury advisory — see eating your catch.
Notable portages near this route
| Portage | Rods | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Portage | 305 | 0.95 |
| Secret Blackstone Trail | 159 | 0.5 |
| Ennis Lake Overlook Trial | 58 | 0.18 |
Named portages within ~3 km of the route. Source: OpenStreetMap contributors. Carry a detailed paddling map for the full portage sequence.
Where to stay for the Moose Lake to Basswood
Base your trip in Ely — outfitters, cabins, and lodging near the Moose Lake.
Top-rated places to stay near Ely
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's rated intermediate and typically takes 3–5 days covering roughly ~20 miles. The busiest and most storied corridor in the Boundary Waters: a tow-friendly chain from Moose up to giant Basswood, gateway to the border route and Canada. The 20-rod Prairie Portage is the crux.
At Entry Point 25 (Moose Lake), which releases 27 permits per day. Reserve it through Recreation.gov during the May–September quota season.
The lakes on this route — Moose Lake, Newfound Lake, Sucker Lake, Basswood 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.