"Late summer/early fall is a great time to go canoeing and kayaking because there are fewer bugs — or no bugs! The water is still warm. There's beautiful lighting for photos. There are lots of free campsites on the water trails and fewer people because we see a decline in paddling post-Labor Day. It's a great way to see fall colors and migrating birds. We had a very wet start to the paddling season this year, and many of the rivers were running pretty high. Right now, water levels are better than normal for this time of year. It's time to get out paddling!"

Erik Wrede, DNR water trails coordinator

For more information on fall paddling: www.mndnr.gov/watertrails.