Best Bwcaw Podcasts (2025)

1
Pushing the River with Frank Bures 57:17

17d ago57:17

57:17

Author Frank Bures joins us on the podcast to discuss his captivating new book, Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories. Frank shares riveting tales from a century of canoe racing, including the forgotten history of the Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby—a grueling 450-mile race on the Upper Mississippi…

1
Dark Sky Photography with Marc Rassel 46:18

3M ago46:18

46:18

Discover the mesmerizing world of dark sky photography with renowned astrophotographer Marc Rassel as he shares expert tips, memorable stories, and essential techniques for capturing the night sky. From the pristine dark skies of Minnesota's Boundary Waters to international stargazing destinations, Marc reveals how to create stunning images of the …

1
Winter Camping with Kids 58:51

4M ago58:51

58:51

Want to introduce your kids to winter camping but not sure where to start? Join us as we chat with Anthony Quill, an adventurous Minnesota Dad who's mastered the art of getting his young children excited about camping in Minnesota's winter wonderland. Anthony shares how his family transitioned from international living to embracing the frozen wilde…

1
What does the 2024 Election mean for the Boundary Waters? 34:57

6M ago34:57

34:57

How might the recent election results impact the future of Minnesota's cherished wilderness? In this timely episode, Steve Schultz, Government Relations Manager at Friends of the Boundary Waters, examines the shifting political landscape and its implications for the Boundary Waters. The discussion explores both federal and state-level changes, with…

1
Biking for the Boundary Waters 31:21

8M ago31:21

31:21

Two adventurous cyclists embark on an epic journey from Minnesota to New York, pedaling around Lake Superior through Canada, all to support Friends of the Boundary Waters. One of the riders, Mike Quirk, joins us to tell tales from the trip. The ride was to take 30 days and cover almost 2000 miles. But like any true adventure - things didn’t quite g…

1
Reel Talk! Boundary Waters and Quetico Fishing with Stu Osthoff 49:11

9M ago49:11

49:11

Anglers shouldn't miss this Boundary Waters fishing podcast! Whether you’re a seasoned Boundary Waters angler or dreaming of your first BWCAW adventure, this is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the true experts. Expert tips on how to catch BWCA Lake Trout, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike In this engaging conversation, Boundary Wat…

1
An Outfitter's High Water Tales 15:01

10M ago15:01

15:01

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected high water conditions in the Boundary Waters this season. After a dry winter, Northeastern Minnesota faced a surprisingly wet spring and early summer, culminating in a major storm on June 18th that caused flash flooding and damage across the Superior National Forest. We sit down with Ginny Nelson from Sp…

1
Last Entry Point - An Unforgiving Wilderness, with Joe Friedrichs 52:16

12M ago52:16

52:16

"The same thing that makes you live can kill you in the end." - Neil Young In this episode, we sit down with Northwoods reporter and author Joe Friedrichs to discuss his new book, "Last Entry Point." Friedrichs shares real-life accounts of those who have faced life-threatening situations and tragically lost their lives in the serene yet unforgiving…

1
From Boundary Waters to Bayou - Mississippi Journeys with Devin Brown & Cory Maria Dack 48:05

1y ago48:05

48:05

On this episode of the Big Red Canoe podcast, we're joined by Devin Brown and Cory Maria Dack to discuss their remarkable paddling journeys down the Mississippi River. Devin Brown is preparing to become the first Black woman on record to solo kayak the entire length of the Mississippi River, from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Her t…

1
Gunflint Falling - Stories from the 1999 BWCA Blowdown 48:34

1y ago48:34

48:34

On July 4, 1999, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a bizarre confluence of meteorological events resulted in the most damaging blowdown in the region’s history. Originating over the Dakotas, the midsummer windstorm developed amid unusually high heat and water-saturated forests and moved steadily east, bearing down on Fargo, Nort…

1
Guardians of the Boundary Waters - The story of the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act 1:00:00

1+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

We revisit the fascinating story of the legislative and political battles leading up to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act of 1978 by talking to three of the individuals who shaped it and fought for its passage: Chuck Dayton, Jan Green, and Kevin Proescholdt. In this look at a key chapter in Boundary Waters history, they share their insi…

1
Game Changing Gear with Darren Bush 58:26

1+ y ago58:26

58:26

Deciding what gear to use for Boundary Waters trips can be overwhelming. Cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight, indestructible, weatherproof gear can make a big difference, but the newest and coolest gear might not always be the best gear for you - or your budget. We've turned to Darren Bush from Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, Wisconsin, to help sort …

1
25 Tips for a Better Boundary Waters Trip 56:08

2y ago56:08

56:08

How could you make your Boundary Waters trip even better? Check out these 25 tips, that cover all aspects of a BWCA canoe trip. Drawing from his experience of paddling hundreds of days through the Northwoods, Pete Marshall, Communications Director at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, shares an informative list for intermediate paddlers to …

1
Best-Selling BWCA Author - William Kent Krueger 55:22

2y ago55:22

55:22

If you love the Boundary Waters and literature, you're not going to want to miss this very special podcast. We're joined by New York times bestselling author, William Kent Krueger, who writes a series of mysteries set in the north woods of Minnesota. The protagonist of many of Krueger's novels, Cork O'Connor is the former sheriff of Tamarack county…

1
BWCA Hiking - Shining Star of the North Country Trail 37:51

2y ago37:51

37:51

The trails of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area offer endless possibilities, and you're sure to find a sense of awe and wonder around every corner. And some Boundary Waters trails connect to an even larger network of trails called the North Country Scenic Trail; a footpath stretching over 4,600 miles from the west side of the Missouri river and North …

1
Working Like a Dog in the BWCA 40:16

2y ago40:16

40:16

The ice is now out on the Lakes in the Boundary Waters, and we’re embracing the promise of the spring season. But for those who live and work near the Boundary Waters, they’ve been straddling seasons for months, spending time in the winter season to prepare for summer. In this Big Red Canoe podcast episode, we meet Joe Friedmeyer, a U.S. Forest Ser…

1
In Search of the BWCA Monster 25:45

2y ago25:45

25:45

Are there monsters, ghosts, or even more creepy things lurking in the BWCA? In this episode, we'll hear your stories from a contest when St. Paul-based Lake Monster Brewing teamed up with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to create a new Minnesota legend. We asked you to submit your tall tales, to bring a BWCA monster out from the shadows a…

1
Clearing the Way with Michelle Kwan 47:55

2y ago47:55

47:55

When many of us think of the Boundary Waters, we think about paddling and portaging. But there area number of ways to experience the Wilderness, including recreational hiking. In this episode, we meet Michelle Kwan, who went on her first Boundary Waters trip in an even more unique way - as a volunteer doing trail clearing work. For Michelle, this t…

1
Ashley Bredemus - Living at the Edge of the Wilderness 37:12

2y ago37:12

37:12

Those who have traveled in the Boundary Waters are often drawn to the wilderness, and they may have wondered what it might be like to live immersed in the wilderness. Ashley Bredemus, owner and co director of Birchwood Wilderness Camp, has spent much of her life living near the Boundary Waters past the end of the Gunflint Trail. Ashley gives us a g…

1
MN Attorney General Keith Ellison 57:45

2+ y ago57:45

57:45

We're joined by special guest, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. While you may know him through his public service roles, you may not know that Attorney General Ellison has a deep love of the Boundary Waters and has led wilderness canoe trips for teenagers. In this episode, we talk to Keith Ellison about his experiences in the Boundary Wate…

1
10 Mistakes I’ve Made in the BWCA (So you don’t have to) 56:27

3y ago56:27

56:27

When exploring the Boundary Waters, you’re bound to make a mistake or two. Our guest Tiger Beaudoin knows this first hand. He’s guided first-timers, grandparents, parents with children, and paddled solo across our favorite wilderness for years. He’s also made more than a few mistakes. In this fast-paced presentation, he’ll describe 10 lessons learn…

1
World Water Day - Protecting Clean Water in Minnesota 58:55

3y ago58:55

58:55

In this informative World Water Day discussion, we celebrate and discuss the threats, and ways that we can fight for clean water. We’ll also discuss a water report we just published that assesses six major water threats to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and provides policy recommendations that, if adopted, would help to ensure that all Minnesotans have …

1
BWCA Winter Camping Tips and Tricks 58:33

3y ago58:33

58:33

February in Minnesota is a perfect time to plan your winter Boundary Waters adventure. Some of the best winter camping happens from now through March— with the right layers and the right precautions, winter can be a great time for a peaceful, quiet, mosquito-free adventure. On this podcast, BWCA expert and author Dan Pauly shares his tips for stayi…

1
Twin Metals Leases Canceled! 1:02:55

3y ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Join the Friends of the Boundary Waters staff as they react to the HUGE news of Twin Metals' canceled mineral leases, and a halt to the mining project near the Boundary Waters. We also discuss how the lease cancellation relates to other steps by the federal government, including a 20-year moratorium on mining at the edge of the Boundary Waters. We'…

1
Children’s books of the Boundary Waters and northern Minnesota 59:08

3+ y ago59:08

59:08

The northland has inspired some incredible children’s books that can plant that seed of adventure in a young person’s heart. We talk to four Minnesota authors and illustrators for a discussion on children’s books related to the Boundary Waters and northern Minnesota. They preview what they have created for the youngest BWCA lovers, and share their …

1
Climate Change and the Future of the Boundary Waters 56:19

3+ y ago56:19

56:19

How will climate change affect northeastern Minnesota? Dr. Lee Frelich discusses how ecological changes brought on by forest succession, species migration and warming waters will drastically transform the Boundary Waters. If you want to know what climate change will do to the wildlife, trees and vegetation of the BWCA, don’t miss this special episo…

1
Climate Change and Global Public Health 56:41

3+ y ago56:41

56:41

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a public health issue. Human health and the health of the natural world are intricately linked together. Understanding these connections is increasingly important. Dr. Bill Rom, originally from Ely, Minnesota and now a research scientist at New York University’s School of Public Health, discuss…

1
The Climate Impact of Proposed PolyMet and Twin Metals Mines 56:12

3+ y ago56:12

56:12

Coinciding with the 2021 Glasgow Summit, we'll look at how climate change will affect the Boundary Waters and the broader ecosystem of northeastern Minnesota. In this episode, Dr. Steve Emerman, international expert on hydrology and geophysics digs deeply into how the two proposed copper-sulfide mines — PolyMet and Twin Metals — will exacerbate the…

1
PolyMet Back in Court: The fight for Minnesota’s clean water 54:06

3+ y ago54:06

54:06

Proposed copper-sulfide mining in northern Minnesota threatens some of the cleanest water in the country, including the Boundary Waters and Lake Superior. Over the past year, Friends of the Boundary Waters and our partners have won important legal challenges against PolyMet’s proposed toxic copper sulfide mine, which threatens to pollute Lake Super…

1
The Latest Move in the Fight for Clean Water in the BWCA 47:24

3+ y ago47:24

47:24

The Biden administration recently announced it was requesting a 20-year ban on copper-sulfide mining on 225,000 acres of federal land surrounding the Boundary Waters. How will this impact conservation movement in the area and the future of America’s most popular Wilderness Area. We’ll hear directly from our legal experts, who offer background infor…

1
Indigenous leaders Senator Mary Kunesh and Representative Heather Keeler 57:25

3+ y ago57:25

57:25

Explore the link between clean water, the Boundary Waters, and Native American issues in this timely episode. Minnesota Senator Mary Kunesh and Representative Heather Keeler join Friends Executive Director Chris Knopf to talk about Indigenous Peoples' Day, clean water, and their experiences as Native women in the Minnesota legislature. Senator Kune…

1
Winter Camping Mudro Lake - SD 18:38

10y ago18:38

18:38

With snow falling from the skies we step away from the car park and into the BWCAW. Sleds loaded down with tents, stoves, food and warm gear bite into our chest as the tow line go taunt. We are headed in for a weekend of winter camping. Five guys two tents and enough bacon to keep us warm on the frigid nights and cool days. Join us as we strap on t…

1
Knife to Ottertrack - SD 11:55

11y ago11:55

11:55

On a nice sunny day we leave our camp on Knife Lake traveling east along the boarder into Ottertrack Lake. We wind our way down this narrow lake with high cliffs on our northern flank. At our new camp we do a little swimming before cooking up some fish for dinner. What a great day in the Boundary Waters.…

1
Vera North Arm Knife - SD 12:15

11+ y ago12:15

12:15

We continue our way North East from Vera portaging our way into Knife Lake. With crystal clear waters and a fresh breeze blowing in our face we work our way to the North Arm of Knife Lake where we camp for the night.By [email protected]

1
Moose to Ensign - SD 11:22

11+ y ago11:22

11:22

After a winter of frozen lakes and trees covered in snow we find ourselves at the Moose Lake entry point for our first trip of the summer. The skies are mostly cloudy and the days are just starting to warm up. The temps are just perfect for paddling in the BWCAW. I am joined on this trip by Jesse, Jim, and Glenn who are all great guys to camp with.…

1
Little Bass Lake_Summer - SD 12:02

12+ y ago12:02

12:02

On a beautiful early April day with the ice freshly melted from the lakes Erin and I head into the BWCAW. Our destination for this trip is the easily accessible Little Bass Lake just one portage away from North Hegman Lake. The Sun shining through the trees made for a serene portage through the woods.…

1
Vermilion Sunrise - SD 2:07

13y ago2:07

2:07

If you venture out around 5:00 AM near the end of April on Lake Vermilion you will find some exquisite sunrises. Here is one from April 27, 2012.By [email protected]

1
Spring Snowset - SD 4:39

13y ago4:39

4:39

After a foot of snow pounced on us out of nowhere we found ourselves on a calm lake with the sun setting in a winter wonderland. The mirror like lake made breathtaking views of the lake shore. Jim and I go for an evening paddle amidst our spring snowset.By [email protected]

1
Skirting the Ice - A Spring Paddle - SD 6:27

13y ago6:27

6:27

March showed up with extremely warm temperatures for the season which quickly removed what little snow we had accumulated over the short winter. In the last couple of days the ice has begun to pull away from the shoreline opening up the opportunity for an early paddle. The first paddle of the spring is always a favorite time even if its only for 10…

1
Geb-e-on-e-quet to Lynx Lake - SD 21:38

13y ago21:38

21:38

Our loop out of the Little Indian Sioux entry point is coming to an end. After a heavy rain throughout the night we woke to sunny skies and calm waters. Looking at the maps we find a day filled with portaging ahead of us. With over 800 rods of portaging we knew our shoulders would be ready for some relaxation on Lynx lake which would be our destina…

1
Thin Ice Preparation with Glen Hooper - SD 16:16

13+ y ago16:16

16:16

Winter is a great time to get out and enjoy a host of winter sports. Everything from ice fishing to winter camping get you out of the house and into the crisp fresh air. Many of these winter activities involve frozen bodies of water. It doesn't matter if your riding on a snowmobile, gliding along on skies, or crunching by on snowshoes, crossing ice…

1
Thumb Lake to Ge-be-on-e-quet Lake - SD 15:21

13+ y ago15:21

15:21

After leaving behind the dead moose carcasse in Thumb Lake we paddle through fresh air under sunny skies. The wind always seems to follow us with a gental push from behind helping ease the day of paddling. We encounter a couple of beaver dams and a few mergansers as we paddle our way to Ge-be-on-e-quet Lake.…

1
Steep Lake to Thumb Lake - SD 21:57

13+ y ago21:57

21:57

After a beautiful night camped out on Steep Lake we awake to sunny skies and a light breeze. Continuing our loop out of the Little Indian Sioux River we head North East working our way through Little Bear Track Lake, Bear Track Lake, and into Thumb Lake. Along the way we bump into a snake, a turtle, and what remained of a dead moose.…

1
Little Loon to Steep Lake - SD 17:52

13+ y ago17:52

17:52

We continue our journey north out of Little Loon Lake with the clouds flying by overhead. The warmth of the sun soaks into our bodies as we paddle across open waters. The portages have been both adventurous and serene. We are nearing the end of a full day of paddling and portaging and our bodies are ready for a break. With this being our first trip…

1
Lower Pauness to Little Loon Lake - SD 18:52

13+ y ago18:52

18:52

Continuing our trip we leave the Devils Cascade and Lower Pauness and work our way North West towards Loon Lake. We have a gentle tail wind pushing us across the lakes while the warm sun shined down upon us. The fresh air and clean water engulfed our senses. A great time in the Boundary Water Canoe Area.…

1
Little Indain Sioux Pauness - SD 17:27

14y ago17:27

17:27

Our first paddling trip of 2011 we head into the Little Indian Sioux entry point on a 5 day trip. There is a steady wind blowing and the clouds are zipping by overhead. We paddle North along the river taking a beautiful portage along a small rapids. We catch a glimpse of a couple of mallard ducks and a bald eagle. The episode comes to a close as we…

1
Johnson Falls - SD 10:42

14y ago10:42

10:42

The eastern edge of the Boundary Waters is an amazing area. With high cliffs and deep lakes this rugged terrain offers up some amazing scenery. Camped on the western end of Pine lake we wake up to a beautiful blue sky day with a stiff breeze. We had heard of a waterfall located at the western end of Pine lake and we set out to find it. In his episo…

1
Mountain Lake to Pine Lake - SD 18:57

14y ago18:57

18:57

On a stormy morning we paddle West out of Mountain lake to a steep portage heading south. We encounter some heavy rain and lightening as thunder rolls across the the lakes. We hunker down at a campsite waiting for the storm to subside and then continue on our way to Pine Lake. Just North of Pine Lake we come across a cow moose and her calf. The two…

1
HowTo - Campsite Selection 2 - SD 2:18

14y ago2:18

2:18

Campsites come in every shape size and location in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Some have stunning views over calm waters, some are tucked away beneath swaying pines. Selecting the perfect campsite can mean the difference between a restful night and one where you can't wait to find a new place to call home.…

1
North Fowl to Mountain Lake-SD 20:10

14y ago20:10

20:10

With a nice tail wind we continue our way along the Voyagers Highway. Leaving North Fowl Lake we portage through thick vegetation and a few mosquitoes. Back on the water we come across a couple of loons swimming on the horizon. One puts on a bit of a show as it takes a bath. We finish up the day in Mountain lake enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and w…

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Bwcaw Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen