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Trip summary

Slim Lake Trip (detailed)

Shared
Total distance
5.1mi
3
Days
4.5 mi paddleportage · 0.8 mi
  • Slim0.49 mi²
  • Little Rice0.19 mi²
  • Hook0.13 mi²
  • Rice0.05 mi²
cisco speciesgreen sunfishnorthern pikesmallmouth basswalleyewhite suckeryellow perch

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Trip Overview

This compact 3-day, 5.2-mile route through Entry Point #6 on Slim Lake is an excellent choice for paddlers looking for a true BWCA experience without an overwhelming commitment of time or distance. The trip eases you in with a comfortable first day on spacious Slim Lake, ramps up with a portage-heavy second day that opens up the quieter interior lakes of Little Rice and Hook, and wraps up with an easy exit on Day 3. With only three portages — the longest at 128 rods — this route is manageable for most skill levels while still delivering genuine wilderness solitude, especially once you push past the first lake.

Fishing Highlights

Slim Lake is the undisputed fishing highlight of this route, offering a diverse fishery with northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, and green sunfish across its 312 acres. Focus on pike and walleye during low-light hours along weed edges and rocky structure. The interior lakes (Little Rice, Hook, and Rice) have no documented sport fish species, so make the most of your time on Slim on Day 1 and during any spare time before your exit.

Packing Tips

  • •Pack light for portaging efficiency — the 128-rod portage on Day 2 will feel much longer with an overloaded pack. Aim for a single carry if possible.
  • •Bring a quality rod and tackle focused on pike and walleye for Slim Lake; fishing is the clear highlight of the route and worth dedicating gear space to.
  • •Water filtration is essential — carry a reliable filter or purification tablets, as these smaller lakes have no guaranteed clean water access.
  • •The low entry quota of 2 groups per day means this route stays quiet, but book your permit well in advance through Recreation.gov, especially for summer weekends.
  • •A lightweight tarp in addition to your tent is worth the extra few ounces for the unpredictable Northwoods weather, particularly on the more exposed smaller lakes on Day 2.

Permit Info

Entry Point #6 (Slim Lake) has a daily quota of just 2 groups, making it one of the more restricted entry points in the BWCA. Permits must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov and are available starting in January for the upcoming season. A self-issue overnight permit is required; day-use paddlers do not need a permit. The entry point is located in the Superior National Forest — confirm current Forest Service access road conditions before your trip, as seasonal closures can affect parking and launch access.

1

Day 1

Easy
2.2 mi0 portages, 0 rd52 min – 1 h 10 min
Start: RiverEP #6
End: Slim
Waters
River → Slim
Camp options
Slim
4 sites · 3 fire

Your journey begins at Entry Point #6 on Slim Lake, where a short paddle across calm, open water sets a relaxed tone for the trip. At over 300 acres, Slim offers plenty of room to stretch your paddling legs and get your bearings before settling into camp. The afternoon is yours to explore the shoreline, wet a line, or simply soak in the quietude of the BWCA.

Camp: Camp on Slim Lake — with 4 campsites to choose from, you have the best odds of securing a quality spot on this trip, and the lake's size gives you breathing room from other parties. It's the ideal first-night base.
Fishing: Target northern pike along the weedy shoreline edges near dusk, or try smallmouth bass around rocky points with a tube jig. Walleye can be found in deeper water mid-lake as evening approaches.
2

Day 2

Hard
1.9 mi2 portages, 175 rd1 h 51 min – 2 h 30 min
Start: Little Rice
End: Hook
Waters
Little Rice → Hook
Portages
147 rd· 0.15 miModerate
2128 rd· 0.40 miHard
Camp options
Little Rice
1 site · 1 fire
Hook
1 site · 1 fire

Day two is the most demanding of the trip, featuring two portages totaling 175 rods that will test your endurance and packing efficiency. The reward is working your way into the more remote Little Rice and Hook lakes, where fishing pressure drops sharply and solitude deepens. Keep an eye on the sky as you cross these smaller, more exposed lakes.

Camp: Camp on Hook Lake — though both Little Rice and Hook each have just one campsite, Hook's position deeper into the route means fewer paddlers drifting past, giving you a more secluded wilderness feel for your final night out.
Fishing: Little Rice and Hook lakes have no documented sport fish species, so enjoy the peaceful paddle but save serious fishing efforts for Slim Lake on Day 1 or plan to spend extra time there.
3

Day 3

Easy
1.0 mi1 portage, 24 rd41 min – 56 min
Start: Hook
End: RiverEP #6
Waters
Hook → Rice → River
Portages
124 rd· 0.08 miEasy
Camp options
Hook
1 site · 1 fire
Rice
1 site · 1 fire

The exit day is blessedly light — just one short 24-rod portage and a final mile of paddling through Rice Lake and back out to the River and your put-in. Take your time breaking camp and savoring the last quiet moments before civilization returns. The brief hop through Rice Lake is a gentle, unhurried finish to a compact but rewarding wilderness loop.

Camp: No overnight — exit day. If you find yourself ahead of schedule, Rice Lake has one campsite and could serve as a lunch or rest stop before the final push to the entry point.
Fishing: Rice Lake has no listed sport fish species, but the short paddle back through the River corridor near the entry point can occasionally yield northern pike in the shallower weedy areas early in the morning.