Some of you may recognize this issue's subject from one of our Customer Appreciation Nights from a few years ago. I think, since the topic is always relevant, the information is "timeless".
In a service like canoe trip outfitting, there is a list of common questions that we've become accustomed to addressing. One of the most common, of course, is "When's the Best Time to Come?" Now this is one of the hardest questions to answer simply because there are so many answers that can apply. Just taking into account some of the basic reasons that folks take canoe trips gives reason enough for many answers. Weather, fishing, bugs, people and permit availability, to mention a few, dictate the times when people come up to the Canoe Country. Having a bit of general knowledge as to the timing of these "reasons" to come up, can be valuable in having the quality experience you're hoping for.
We'd like to offer the following chart of information that is designed to give you a general idea of the seasonal timing of things that pertain to tripping in the Canoe Country. Ultimately you are going to take a canoe trip when you can get away, but hopefully you can use the information in the chart to either decide when to go, if you have the flexibility, or to know some of the good points for when you can go.
Click here for a larger chart image
Fishermen consider this; of the main game fish in the Canoe Country, only the bass (largemouth and smallmouth) spawn during our season. Pike, walleye and lake trout spawn either before or after our season. So, guessing for these species isn't necessary and because bass are so prevalent, simply portaging one lake over can mean finding the bass at the "perfect time" when they are spawning.
Bugs are generally at their peak in early summer, but factors like precipitation (or not) will have much bearing on just how bad the peak is (or isn't). Some will tell you, the fish bite best when the bugs are biting the best!
Interestingly enough, each month, May through September, average close to the same amount of rain. The thing is, May or June could have that rainfall spread over the whole month while July or August could get half the months rainfall in one thunderstorm. Try not to plan a trip based solely on the weather. Aside from averages, it will be what it will be.
Seasonal, predictable events are things that a trip can be planned around too. If you've never sat along the shore on a "glass calm" evening at the edge of a Canoe Country campsite to watch the moon rise, well.... Moon phases are known and can easily be planned for. Meteor showers are annual events as well and the beauty is that we know when they're going to happen.
Regardless as to the reasons for coming "up" at a certain time, if you can't take a canoe trip whenever you want, come up when you can and you'll find some of the Canoe Country's highlights any time you're here!
Dave
