Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
Boundary Waters Canoe Area - BWCA
Over
1
Million
Acres
of
Lakes,
Streams
&
Wilderness.
BWCA Lakes
located
throughout
St.
Louis,
Cook
and
Lake
counties.
National
Geographic
named
the
BWCA
one
of
the
50
greatest
destinations
of
a
lifetime!
Part
of
the
Superior
National Forest
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has
Hundreds
of BWCA Lakes
connected
through
streams
&
portage
trails.
You
are
required
to
have
a
permit
for
entry
&
the
date
desired
for
your
trip.
You
can
get
one
here:
BWCA
Permits
It's
best
to
reserve
your
permit
well
in
advance
of
trip
date
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area allows
groups
of
up
to
9
people
to
enter.
Ely
&
Grand
Marais
are
popular
entry
points
for
BWCA,
Lodging
&
Outfitters.
IT'S
VERY
IMPORTANT
to
be
prepared
in
the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Make
sure
you
contact
Outfitters
and
Guides
to
help
plan
your
BWCA trip.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area in
Northern Minnesota Lake Country - BWCA
The BWCA - Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a 1.09 million acre wilderness area located within the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota. The BWCA is renowned as a destination for both canoeing and fishing on its many lakes, and is the most visited wilderness in the United States. The BWCA is located on the U.S.-Canadian border, and along with Voyageurs National Park to the west and the Canadian Quetico they make up a large area of contiguous wilderness lakes and forests called the "Quetico-Superior country", or simply the Boundary Waters. Lake Superior lies to the east of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The two main communities with visitor services near the BWCA are Ely and Grand Marais, Minnesota. The smaller town of Tofte is another gateway community to the BWCA. Several historic roads, such as the Gunflint Trail, the Echo Trail, and Fernberg Road allow access to the many wilderness entry points of the BWCA. The BWCA contains over a thousand lakes and Permits are required for all overnight visits to the BWCA wilderness area. The BWCA is one of Minnesota's top tourist attractions, drawing visitors from all over the United States as well as abroad. Fishing in the BWCA can be some of the best in Minnesota. Game species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, whitefish and lake trout, among others. Popular lures include rapalas, jigs, and spoons, while live bait such as leeches are also used. When fishing in the BWCA, a multiple-sectioned or collapsable fishing rod is easiest to carry while portaging.