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Artwork for Paddle and Portage Podcast

Paddle and Portage Podcast

Paddle and Portage Podcast
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Boundary Waters
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Quetico Provincial Park
Canoeing
Lake Superior
Forest Service
Fishing
Minnesota
Hudson Bay
Outdoor Recreation
Superior National Forest
Gunflint Trail
Paddling
Ice Fishing
Friends Of the Boundary Waters
Winter Camping Symposium
Winter Camping
Granite River
Cache Bay

This podcast is produced by people who live near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park. It is the source for storytelling, news, and information about the canoe-country wilderness and other paddling destinations across North America.

All music on this podcast, unless credited otherwise, comes from Ian Tamblyn and the Blue Dot Sessions.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes113Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
WildernessSports

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Artwork for Paddle and Portage Podcast

Latest Episodes

A mine in the BWCA...The mere mention of such a thing in 2026 sends fear up the spine of many paddlers.

That being the case, there is an old mine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In this episode, Duluth writer Ryan Rodgers and the podca... more

After weeks of disruption and uncertainty, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is in the process of reopening.

Large swaths of the BWCA, including the entire Gunflint and significant portions of the wilderness on the Ely side, will be reopenin... more

YouTube

Paddlers from Northern Tier High Adventure, a Scout organization with strong ties to the Ely area, were among those evacuated from the Boundary Waters in July 2026.

In this episode, we hear their firsthand accounts of getting out from deep in the BW... more

YouTube

Smoky skies, closures, evacuations, and displacement of people have dominated conversations across the Boundary Waters region during recent days.

The BWCA Wilderness shut down July 14 amid a series of wildfires and excessive heat. The length of the ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast
WTIP Boundary Waters PodcastWTIP North Shore Community Radio
Big Red Canoe - Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast
Big Red Canoe - Friends of the Boundary Waters podcastFriends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
American Power
American PowerChad Scott, Nat Towsen, Mr. Global

Recent Guests

Bailey Shin
Guest, resident who was evacuated from Pipestone Falls area
Texas family evacuated from Boundary Waters
Episode: The Reopening of the Boundary Waters
Bria Sherky
Tow operator contact, Vosburg Resort on Moose Lake
Vosburg Resort
Episode: Northern Tier Scouts Evacuated From BWCA and Quetico During Wildfires
Jake Hway
Individual who opened his home to coordinators and contributed to evacuation logistics
Unspecified
Episode: Northern Tier Scouts Evacuated From BWCA and Quetico During Wildfires
Mark Zimmer
Barefoot Paddler, BWCA expert
Independent paddler
Episode: Summer BWCA Stories and Updates From Ely
Kathleen Floberg
Executive Director, Listening Point Foundation
Listening Point Foundation
Episode: Summer BWCA Stories and Updates From Ely
Nancy (artist)
Local Ely mural artist overseeing Sig Olson mural project
Self-employed artist
Episode: Summer BWCA Stories and Updates From Ely
Blayne Hall
Co-owner of Williams & Hall Outfitters
Williams & Hall Outfitters
Episode: Quetico Park Revisited: Paddling in From the South
Bonnie Schuette
Campus director at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center
Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center
Episode: Quetico Park Revisited: Paddling in From the South
Ginny Nelson
Co-owner, Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters
Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters
Episode: The Rising Cost to Cancel a BWCA Permit

Host

Joe Fredericks
Host of Paddle and Portage Podcast; long-running presence in the paddling community.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Forever changed

    PFD?

    Genius.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leif D'Wulfsloane
    United Statesa year ago
  • Too many adds

    Corny background music distracts from the speakers.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Finster1010
    Canadaa year ago
  • Great hosts/Story telling

    I wondered where you disappeared to when the new WTIP podcasts came out. Glad to have found the dynamic duo and their informative/entertaining content. Look forward to more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RyJ77
    United States2 years ago
  • Enjoyed

    I’ve enjoyed Paddle & Portage podcast. The explore the topic fairly deep. Listen closely and you just might learn something 🛶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hueyav8r
    United States2 years ago
  • Just Dandy

    This podcast is a continuation of WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast. The first episodes so far are great. Keep up the great work you guys do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    millerjose13
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some episodes feel overproduced with music, potentially distracting from guests.
Hosts are consistently knowledgeable and keep the conversation informative and entertaining.
Listeners appreciate the hands-on, community-driven feel and local wilderness focus.
Very engaging storytellers who balance practical gear talk with deep wilderness culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Reopening of the Boundary Waters
Q: Can you walk us through the moment you were contacted by a Forest Ranger and how your gear was recovered?
Bailey Shin explains that a ranger named Carl reached out after seeing her on the Paddle and Portage Podcast, coordinating a plan to meet at the Ranger Station and recover their bags, with rangers explaining how they inventory campsites and salvage gear, which brought a surprising sense of relief and practical help after the evacuation.
The Ties of a Hybrid Fish to the BWCA
Q: What's a little bit about you?
Ryan describes his background growing up in central Wisconsin, education in fisheries, and how he ended up at the Peterson Fish Hatchery, highlighting a passion for fieldwork and the sedentary thrill of working with fish daily.
Forest Service to Utah Update & Talking BWCA and Books with a Duluth Writer
Q: What does relocating the Forest Service headquarters to Salt Lake City mean for the Boundary Waters region?
For paddlers, it likely does not bring immediate, visible changes in policy or operations, but it could affect where communications and strategic planning take place, potentially altering timelines and the flow of information.
BWCA News Track: Politics and Mining in an Election Year
Q: What is Aaron Kania's stance on Twin Metals and copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters?
He emphasizes a policy-driven approach, avoiding a binary yes/no stance, and stresses the importance of listening to all stakeholders, evaluating proposals on their merits, and protecting the ecosystem through thoughtful policy changes.
Ryan Rodgers - Where the Green Light Shines
Q: What makes the far north trips different or more challenging than other paddling journeys?
Rodgers notes the combination of ice, isolation, and extreme weather, plus the lack of early information or guidebooks, which made these journeys both dangerous and historically significant.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Paddle and Portage Podcast

What is Paddle and Portage Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Stories from paddling and wilderness adventures, near-disaster rescues, and deep dives into Boundary Waters culture and logistics. Episodes blend first-person survival moments, remote aviation, hatchery and fishery management, environmental policy, and craft-focused outdoor entrepreneurship. The show leans into place-based storytelling, practical gear discussion, environmental advocacy, and community voices, often tying local Gunflint Trail perspectives to wider North American paddling culture. It's likely to appeal to serious paddlers, outdoor educators, gear enthusiasts, and listeners who enjoy accessible but thoughtful storytelling about risk, resilience, and the outdoors.

A notable throughline is the strong emphasis on real-life paddli... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Paddle and Portage Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Paddle and Portage Podcast:

1. WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast
2. Tumblehome: A Boundary Waters Podcast
3. Big Red Canoe - Friends of the Boundary Waters podcast
4. Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.
5. American Power

How many episodes of Paddle and Portage Podcast are there?

Paddle and Portage Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Paddle and Portage Podcast?

Recent guests on Paddle and Portage Podcast include:

1. Bailey Shin
2. Bria Sherky
3. Jake Hway
4. Mark Zimmer
5. Kathleen Floberg
6. Nancy (artist)
7. Blayne Hall
8. Bonnie Schuette

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