Join us for an inspiring conversation with JD Fratzke, a celebrated chef and author who served as a judge and mentor on Bravo's Top Chef and brings a unique perspective to Boundary waters cooking. JD finds profound inspiration in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where he combines his fine dining expertise with camp cooking over open fires. From Professional Kitchens to Campfire Cuisine Wilderness cooking plays a big role as JD's meditative reset from high-pressur...

Proper food storage and bear-aware camping practices aren't just recommendations—they're life-saving skills that every Boundary Waters visitor needs to master. Alex Messenger learned this lesson the hard way when a 600-pound grizzly bear nearly killed him during a remote Canadian wilderness expedition, an experience that transformed him into one of the region's most passionate advocates for bear safety and wilderness preparedness. On this episode of the Big Red Canoe Podcast, Alex channels h...

The Boundary Waters faces one of its greatest threats in decades. Hidden in the latest reconciliation bill is a dangerous provision that would hand hundreds of thousands of acres near the BWCA to toxic copper-sulfide mining companies—while blocking any legal challenges. This reckless giveaway threatens to bring industrial mining right to the doorstep of America’s most pristine wilderness, risking irreversible damage to our clean water and wild places. Senator Tina Smith is fighting back...

Author Frank Bures joins us on the podcast to discuss his compelling 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 that changed modern canoeing forever. The conversation takes a personal turn as Frank recounts his own harrowing rescue on the Mississippi an...

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 Milky Way, aurora, and other celestial wonders. Marc also describes the growing challenge of light pollution and how photographers can ...

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 wilderness, starting with backyard adventures and working their way up to dog sledding expeditions and hot tent camping near the Boundary Waters. Then w...

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 particular focus on proposed legislation that could affect mining restrictions near this pristine area. While acknowledging the challenges a...

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 go as planned. And before the trip was over, Mike found himself swapping out his bike for a canoe to cover some of the middle-Canada miles on the Ot...

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 Waters Journal publisher and BWCA and Quetico fishing guide, Stu Osthoff will share his vast knowledge and insider tips for catching the “Grand ...

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 Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters in Ely to discuss how these conditions have affected outfitters and Boundary Waters visitors. Ginny shares her e...

"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 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Through his years of writing, exploring, and researching this iconic region, Friedrichs reminds us that e...

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 trip planned for 2024 is driven by a dream over a decade in the making - to find healing and connection for self, and to connect with African Americ...

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, North Dakota, and damaging land as it crossed the Minnesota border. Author Cary Griffith joins us to talk about his book Gunf...

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 insights and personal experiences that led to this important step for the BWCA Wilderness, and founding of the Friends of the Boundary Waters. T...

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 through the options and give us some answers to what makes for the best BWCA canoes, what features to look for in canoes, paddles and PFD's ...

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 move faster, be more comfortable or just have a richer experience in the BWCA. Visit https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast for more i...

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 and is part Irish and part Ojibwe. In his books, Krueger explores the tensions within these cultures and examines important social topics that ref...

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 Dakota, all the way to the Appalachian trail in Vermont. On this episode, we're joined by Matthew Davis NCTA regional trail coordinator, who gives ...

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 Service sled dog musher, who has been using the ice and snow of the harsh winter to help get things ready for summer travelers to America’s most visit...

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 and become immortalized on cans of Lake Monster beer. The response was outstanding, with a tremendous lineup of chilling, humorous and supernatural...