What time of year is best for a Boundary Waters overnight canoe trip?
One of the most common questions we get at Moose Track Adventures is, ‘When’s the best time for a Boundary Waters canoe trip?’ The answer depends on what matters most to your group. Are you chasing peak fishing conditions? Warm water for swimming? Fewer bugs? Or less crowded routes? Picking the right month ensures the best BWCAW experience based on your priorities.
Below, we’ve outlined what to expect each month in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to help you plan the perfect canoe adventure.
| MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | |
| WEATHER | Highs in 60’s Lows in 40’s | Highs in 70’s Lows in 50’s | Highs in 80’s Lows in 60’s | Highs in 80’s Lows in 60’s | Highs in 60’s Lows in 40’s |
| RAINFALL | 2.87″ | 4.19″ | 3.72″ | 3.84″ | 3.63″ |
| FISHING | Great Fishing! Fish can be caught in shallow water | Top water fishing can be amazing | Warm weather drives the fish deeper | Fishing is good early morning and evening | Fish start coming back to the shallows |
| VEGETATION & WILDLIFE | Birds and animals return | Wildflowers are in full bloom. Moose are active | Blueberries & raspberries are ripe | Berries can still be found if we had rain | The colors are changing |
| BUGS | Usually no bugs | The first 2 weeks of warm up the bugs are bad | Bugs are fewer, but typically still dawn & dusk | Bugs are gone during the day | No bugs! |
| SWIMMING | The water is still really cold | The water is warming up enough to jump in | After a day of paddling – go for a swim | The water continues to be warm | Typically you need to be brave to take a swim |
| CROWDS | Fishing opener might be busy, but rest of month is quiet | School is out, families & groups are arriving | Busy season | First few weeks are busy | The crowds are typically gone |
