The Boundary Waters Journal

For the past 40 years, Boundary Waters Journal (BWJ) has been produced by Michele and Stu Osthoff from our log homestead just south of Ely. We have own 240 acres of woodlands to play in which is surrounded by miles more of Superior National Forest. We are just a five-minute drive from the Gabbro Lake Entry Point into the BWCAW. We call it “Living On The Edge” referring not only to our proximity to the BWCAW but our year around outdoor lifestyle. I have been asked to start up a regular Facebook post here and there is no time like the advent of spring to kick this off.
Along about March, we start tiring of winter but this March brought some thawing with regular snowfalls quickly replacing the drawdown. We feed the deer whole corn and the birds sunflower seeds right out the living room bay window. 3/25 brought the first red winged black birds and 3/26 the first robin. 3/27 dropped to zero degrees overnight- poor birdies. April 1 brought lots more snow- I guess an April Fool’s Joke but not really very funny. 4/3 another 6-inches of snow, 4/5 yet another 4”. Got some melting after that- had 17 deer come into feed the evening of 4/9- including five adult bucks that are sprouting new antlers from their pedicels. 4/15 it got up to 50 degrees with sunshine for the first time and like clockwork, the first mallards and trumpeter swans landed on our beaver pond below the house. Also on 4/15, on my daily woods walk with Sage and Jack, our two English Pointer bird dogs, Jack pointed two different grouse. That was great to see as the population nose-dived last summer with a poor hatch due to wet/cold June. Nothing says spring in our woodlands like the drumming of the ruffed grouse- see photo above. The drumming sound the males make with the approach of breeding season comes from rapidly accelerating the beating of their wings and the percussion of air rushing under them.
The historical average ice-out on our beaver pond is April 15 and we still have 80% ice coverage – temps are expected to reach 65 on 4/16 here but then drop back to overnight lows of 15 degrees on the weekend. Such is the ebb and flow of winter/spring “Living On The Edge”. I will report back on further spring time developments from the BWJ headquarters.

All new Youtube video- Boundary Waters Journal (BWJ) publisher and wilderness canoeing/fishing guide Stu Osthoff. This presentation was live for Friends of the Boundary Waters on 4/9/26. The perfect cure for Spring fever, Stu talks about when, where and how to target trophy caliber Smallmouth/Walleye/ Lake Trout/ Pike. All the critcal intel Stu and his Grand Slam Guide service clients use to constantly catch/release top end canoe country trophies. This videro is based on Stu's article in the Spring 2026 issue of BWJ. For even more in-depth details on canoe country trophy angling, go to boundarywatersjournal.com to SUBSCRIBE today. Enjoy the Youtube video and get ready for the upcoming fishing season in the BWCAW and Quetico.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVk6Cy3-oqQ

Fresh off the press this week, the Spring 2026 issue marks our 40th year of publishing THE BOUNDARY WATERS JOURNAL(BWJ). That’s 16,000 pages of exclusive coverage of all things BWCAW/Quetico. Also announcing the release of our amazing all-new BWJ website. Go to boundarywatersjournal.com to view/enjoy a FREE DIGITAL ISSUE OF BWJ. Subscribe for yourself or order GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS for your Boundary Waters partners/family/friends. All new BWJ subscriptions receive FREE BWJ 24”X 36” BWCAW/QUETICO TRIP PLANNING MAP. Scroll through the BWJ Back Issue Article Index, a detailed description of all 160 issues of BWJ, and select/order the BWJ BACK ISSUES of interest. Shop the BWJ VOYAGEUR TRADING POST for the very best in wilderness canoe tripping gear: canoe packs, the BWJ Insulated Food Pack System for enjoying fresh/frozen food all week on your canoe trips, unique canoe accessories, camp gear including the famous BWJ cast aluminum fry pan for great walleye meals, saws, packliners, the BWJ/Klos Boy’s Lake Trout Lures- a total game changer for canoe country lake trout fishing, the popular BWJ Ultimate Rod case, all the Mckenzie/Fisher maps you need to plan that next great adventure and so much more. BWJ Publisher/editor, Stu Osthoff, doesn’t just write about canoe country, he is also an elite wilderness canoeing/fishing guide. Read all about his spectacular GRAND SLAM GUIDE SERVICE (GS2) TRIPS TO THE BWCAW/QUETICO/SUTTON RIVER TO HUDSON BAY. Scan the incredible photo albums of trophy smallmouth, walleye, lake trout, pike and brook trout caught/released by GS2 clients. GS2 trips produce angling thrills and memories you will take to your grave. A few openings remain for 2026 so check out the details. NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR OWN 2026 BWCAW/QUETICO ADVENTURE. AT BWJ, HELPING YOU ENJOY GREAT WILDERENESS CANOE TRIPS IS WHAT WE DO. SUBSCRIBE TODAY at boundarywatersjournal.com

For a limited time only! Now through April 30th. Stock up on back issues!

3 EASY STEPS TO ORDER THE BWJ BACK ISSUES OF YOUR CHOICE:

1. GO TO boundarywatersjournal.com for a detailed description of every article in every issue we have published since 1987.

2. Select the back issues with the articles that interest you (pre-1994 limited quantities)

3. Place your order online or call our Ely office for help at 218-365-6184 (Back issues are $6.95 each plus shipping)

As the Christmas season is starting remember to add BWJ to your Christmas list! Get that special someone a gift subscription or stock up on trading post items! Also keep your eyes out for the winter issue in December. We wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season! 🛶

Just a heads up for all our subscribers getting ready for their BWCA trips! Call and order your bear confounders and pack hangers if you don’t have any!

For Sale: 16 foot Lund Fishing boat with 25 HP Johnson motor. Both in very good condition with low miles. Aluminum canoe rack-easy on/off with 4 bolts. Includes trailer. 218-365-5168.

Now that the Quietico and Boundary Waters permits are opening check out your gear and make sure you are prepared for the 2024 season. Check out the BWJ trading post for all your camping needs! 🛶

Stu has had a cancellation in his July 22-30 2024 Sutton River trip! Give us a call or email to get in on the trip of a lifetime!

218-365-6184

Happy Holiday’s from our family to yours! Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season. Watch for the winter issue this week. We hope you enjoy it! Still plenty of time to stock up on camping gear before the start of the 2024 season!