Ensign Lake BWCA Campsite

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota residents looking to experience the unmatched wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), Ensign Lake is an essential and highly regarded destination. A designated BWCA lake and home to numerous official campsites (like the one addressed near Fall Lake Township), Ensign Lake is renowned for its relative ease of access from popular entry points like Moose Lake, making it an ideal first-time destination or a reliable basecamp for seasoned paddlers. It’s a large body of water, meaning that while it does see significant use—a testament to its beauty and convenience—it offers a variety of sites, from small, secluded spots to large, highly coveted sites with sandy beaches and ample tent pads.

The camping experience on Ensign Lake is entirely primitive and self-sufficient, following the strict Leave No Trace ethics required within the BWCA. The designated campsites, accessible only by canoe and portage, provide a fire grate and a latrine, but nothing else—the true wilderness challenge. However, the rewards are immense. Ensign is famous across Minnesota for its exceptional fishing, particularly for large numbers of "eater size" Walleye and plentiful Smallmouth Bass, making it a dream destination for anglers. It is a place where you can limit out on Walleye right from your campsite's shoreline in the evening. It offers that classic Northwoods setting: pine-covered shores, clear water, and the quiet necessary to feel truly disconnected from the modern world.

Visitors should remember that securing a quota permit is mandatory for an overnight stay during the peak season (May 1 – September 30), underscoring the lake’s popularity and protected status.

Location and Accessibility

Ensign Lake is located in the eastern section of the BWCAW, situated in Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA, northeast of the gateway community of Ely.

Primary Access Point:

The most common route is via Entry Point 25 (Moose Lake) or Entry Point 24 (Fall Lake), both near Ely. The paddle to Ensign from Moose Lake is considered relatively easy, involving only a few short, well-traveled portages (including a possible tow service option across Moose Lake to save time).

Portage System:

Reaching an Ensign Lake campsite requires the traditional BWCA method of paddling and portaging (carrying all gear and canoes over land between lakes). The portages leading into Ensign are known for being less rugged and shorter than those deep within the wilderness, making it ideal for groups with less portaging experience.

Basecamp Potential:

Due to its manageable access and large size, Ensign Lake serves as an excellent basecamp from which groups can take day trips into more remote lakes like Vera, Trader, or Ashigan, which offer even more seclusion and fishing opportunities.

Exposure Warning:

As a large lake, Ensign can become quite treacherous and windy, producing challenging waves that require respect. Paddlers must exercise caution, particularly during midday or when strong winds are forecasted.

Services Offered

All designated campsites on Ensign Lake, like all BWCA sites, offer the same basic, primitive infrastructure designed for minimum environmental impact.

Campsite Structure:

Each of the roughly three dozen campsites on Ensign Lake features a marked landing area, one or more designated, cleared tent pads, and a level area for the camp kitchen.

Sanitation:

A steel fire grate is provided at the main cooking spot. All firewood must be dead and down and gathered in the immediate area. A simple, off-site latrine is also included for proper human waste disposal.

Water and Waste:

Water must be drawn from the lake and treated (filtered/boiled) before drinking. There are no trash facilities; all garbage, including food scraps and wrappers, must be packed out of the wilderness.

Permit Requirement:

An overnight quota permit is required from May through September, limiting the number of groups entering the wilderness each day and ensuring campsite availability remains manageable, although the lake is notoriously busy.

Features / Highlights

Ensign Lake’s reputation as a top-tier destination is built on its natural features, particularly its angling potential.

Premier Walleye & Bass Fishing:

The lake is famous for its numerous Walleye (typically eater size, 14–18 inches) and Smallmouth Bass (often 16–20 inches). Fishing is excellent, with success reported using jigs and leeches from rocky shorelines and slip bobbers from camp after dark.

Varied Campsites:

Ensign hosts some of the highest-rated campsites in the entire BWCA, with a few spots boasting large, beautiful sand/gravel beaches ideal for swimming, canoe landings, and enjoying the sunset.

Gateway to Interior Lakes:

The lake provides easy access and portages to smaller, more remote lakes like Vera, Ashigan, and Trader Lake, perfect for day trips seeking different scenery or more solitary angling.

Wildlife Encounters:

Being deep in the boreal forest, the area offers excellent chances for viewing wildlife, including Moose, Loons, and even Wolf packs, contributing to the authentic wilderness immersion.

Contact Information

The Ensign Lake BWCA Campsite is managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Superior National Forest). Direct contact to a specific campsite is not possible, as it is a wilderness area.

Address (General Area): Fall Lake Township, MN 55731, USA

Permit Reservations: Must be made through Recreation.gov for overnight entry between May and September.

U.S. Forest Service Contact (Kawishiwi Ranger District, Ely, MN): For rules, maps, and current conditions, contact the district office. The general phone number for the Superior National Forest is the best source for authoritative information.

What is worth choosing

Ensign Lake is indisputably worth choosing for the Minnesotan adventurer who is seeking a dedicated fishing basecamp in a true wilderness setting. Its significant advantages—easy access via a popular route (often including the option for a tow service across Moose Lake), minimal portaging difficulty, and its concentration of high-quality campsites—make it particularly appealing for first-timers, families, and groups where fishing is the primary focus.

While the lake’s popularity means you won't experience complete solitude, you will benefit from its vibrant fishing ecosystem and the security of a well-traveled route. You can set up on a beautiful, large site, enjoy world-class Smallmouth Bass action, and easily take day trips for more secluded exploration. Ensign Lake truly offers the perfect blend of accessibility, convenience, and genuine BWCA experience without requiring a grueling multi-day paddle just to reach a beautiful shore.