Fishing Report - Saturday, July 18th

Walleye are being caught between 10-25 ft. You will want to drift along structures working from shallow to deep. The best result has been with leeches on Lindy rigs.

You will want to look for deep weed lines to bring in pike. Most are being caught when trolling shad raps or casting spinners and spoons.

Small mouth bass can be netted when using top water lures in the weeds, or if you are reef fishing use jigs and crawlers.

Crappies are the hardest to catch right now. They are traveling in smaller schools dispersed throughout the lakes. Most anglers are using crappie minnows at depths from 15-25 ft.

Disappointment Lake Island Fire - July 2, 2014

On June 30, 2014, a fire was reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) east of Ely on an island in Disappointment Lake (Township 64N Range, 8W Section 33).

Size: On the island the fire is estimated at twelve to thirteen acres; the spot fire on the mainland
was held to one tenth of an acre. The mainland portion of the fire is contained. The rest of the fire
is confined to the island.

Personnel: 8 crew members are on site now. Personnel will be reduced, but crews will continue
to monitor and take appropriate actions for the next few days.

Visitor Impacts: Visitors may see and smell smoke on the eastern portion of Disappointment
Lake during the next few days. One campsite (#10—the eastern most site) on Disappointment
Lake is closed at this time. All BWCAW entry points, portages, travel routes, and hiking trails
remain open.

USFS photos of affected area.

            

Lake trout are hitting on Knife Lake this week. BWCA travelers reported using silver/blue spoons with an egg sinker ahead of the spoon going down 30-40 feet while trolling. Early morning and evening hours were best times.

Leeches and night crawlers are picking up as the bait of choice for walleyes and bass. Bass are just beginning to move into their summer feeding habits and hitting on top water while on some lakes the bass are still on their nests. Be prepared to change your fishing tactics to try both 6-8 feet down and on top water.

Lake trout caught on Burntside lake, Ely MN

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Bait Shop, Ely MN has a wide choice of minnows, leeches, night crawlers and wax worms. Open 6am-9pm daily for your one-stop shop for fishing, canoe rental, outfitting, maps, live bait, tackle, Columbia Sportswear and footwear, Teva sandals, camping gear and more.

US Customs and Border Protection

Ely, MN

Hours of Operation

8:30am to 4:30pm Daily

After Hours:

If you have a NEXUS or I-68, you may report by phone by calling 1-800-505-8131

Please note this number is only for remote crossers with NEXUS cards or Form I-68

If you are not in possession of one of the above documents, 

you must report in person to an open port of entry

• Crane Lake                7:00am - 6:00pm CST Daily
• Grand Marais             8:00am - 4:00pm CST Daily
• International Falls       Open 24 hours/Day
• Duluth                        8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday

If you have any questions regarding your arrival, 

please contact CBP at International Fall, MN

218-283-2541

Ely MN Press Release Follow up

Press Release

Ely,MN – April 3, 2013

 In the wake of support from around the nation, the small town of Ely, Minnesota is considering extending its ban of social media to include the use of all electronic devices in and around the area.

 Local officials are urging all residents and visitors to this popular town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to put their phones, tablets and notebook computers down.

 “You don’t need Twitter,” one official said. “You can find a hundred forty characters on any street during a typical summer day in Ely. They’re quite friendly.” He added there are over one million acres of wilderness, and hundreds of lakes surrounding Ely, which are better experienced when you’re not looking down at a small screen.

 City officials are not saying what will happen with the hundreds of devices overzealous residents could confiscate over the next several months.

 To learn more about this strange town in the most beautiful part of Minnesota, visit us at Spirit of the Wilderness www.elycanoetrips.com

ELY, MINN. ANNOUNCES A BAN ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY

      Measure aims to get people outdoors, where the air is clean — and only the birds tweet

ELY, MINN. — April 1, 2013 — Today, the Northern Minnesota town at the end of the road, Ely, Minnesota, has cut off access to social media within its borders. Ely city officials made the decision to ban social media in all its forms — including Friendster, MySpace and Google+ — to encourage visitors to look up from their handheld screens and enjoy the real outdoors.

Unnamed local officials hint the ban may be extended to all electronic devices in and around Ely — the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The area boasts pristine wilderness, crystal clear lakes and small-town charms that one must see to believe, and not just in a YouTube video.

“The only thing online here is a fish. And why would anyone need Pinterest?” says Ross Petersen, Ely’s mayor. “We have a big bulletin board over at the grocery store for that sort of thing. Or the Twitter?  We have at least a hundred forty characters right here, living in Ely. And don’t even get me started on the kids listening to their Zunes.”

Tweeters, posters, pinners, fans and hashtaggers have responded to the news swiftly, posting their reactions to the measure on the internet. However, no one in Ely is countering  — or frankly, even cares. “We’ve got a million acres of exclusive content, and hundreds of sites you can visit — in person,” adds Petersen.

Sales of ink pens and real paper tablets have reportedly spiked in area stores. 

There’s plenty of non-electronic fun in and around the water this summer when you travel to Ely to visit in person. For more information on Ely, named “Coolest Small Town in America” by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel; and to book a vacation that’s less than four hours from the Twin Cities, please drop by the city, or call Spirit of the Wilderness at 800-950-2709 or 218-365-3149.

Pagami Creek Fire Restoration Work

The USFS has accomplished a lot of work after the Pagami Creek Fire: restoring campsites, portages, and portions of the Pow Wow Trail.  

• Currently, there are 26 campsites closed on the Kawishiwi District. 
• By June, 2013 an additional 8 sites will be re-opened.  19 sites will remain closed.   
• An environmental analysis will be completed to add two new sites on the north end of Lake One. 
• Due to the reduction in the number of sites available to campers, the Lake One Entry Point (#30) quota will be adjusted to a total of 14 per day:  7 quota will be entry point 30 with no camping restrictions and 7 will be entry point 30F restricting travelers from camping on the Kawishiwi River.  (30F will NOT include last season’s restriction for camping beyond Lake Three.)  This adjustment aims to spread the overnight use out and alleviate last year’s tremendous use on the Kawishiwi River.

Superior National Forest Fire Report - Sept 15, 2012

Special Notifications:  Various closures are in effect due to the Parley Fire, the Hoist Bay Fire, and the Canadian Emerald Fire near Knife Lake. Please see the details below. 

• Public Safety crews are posting these areas. 
• Fire restrictions remain in effect in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Campfires are allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight.

NOTE:  There was very little change, overall, with the small wildfires on the Superior National Forest.  Public safety crews are notifying people in the Wilderness.  Wind direction is expected to shift to northwest Sunday and push smoke from these fires towards populated areas.

Current Fire Activity: 

Parley Lake Fire, Currently 35acres, within the BWCAW, T66 R12 S18, east of the Beartrap River, north of Sunday Lake, west of Sunday Bay of Crooked Lake, discovered Sept 12.

• Aircraft are continuing water drops. Ground crews are on scene. Containment – 40%.   
• Closures:  Campsites on Sunday and Saturday Bays of Crooked Lake, the Beartrap River, and Zones 1, 2, and 5 of the Sundial Primitive Management Area are closed.
• Travel through Sunday and Saturday Bays is still being allowed.

Hoist Bay Fire:  Remains at  2 1/2 acres, T64 R10 S17, between Hoist and Back Bay of Basswood Lake. This fire was detected on 9/12/12.

• Aircraft water drops continue.  Fire crews are on scene.  100% containment today.

Closures:

• Four Mile Portage, Ella Hall, Muskeg, Slumber, and Mud Lakes (out of Fall Lake) plus Back Bay and Hoist Bay of Basswood. 
• Additional portage closures include Pipestone to Back Bay, Back Bay toward Half Dog Island/Basswood (a.k.a. Frog Portage), and from Hoist Bay to Good Lake. 
• Public Safety crews are notifying visitors in the area. 

Fort Frances #53, also known as the Norway Point Fire, 52 acres, remains on Canadian soil and is being monitored by Quetico and U.S. personnel.

Fort Frances #59/Emerald Lake Fire, between Knife Lake and Emerald Lake, approximately 500 acres, and continues to be very active.

• The fire remains on the Quetico side and a Canadian fire crew is on scene. 
• Forest Service crews are monitoring this fire and are prepared to actively support Canadian fire crews as needed.
• Tomorrow the winds are predicted to be out of the northwest.  Areas along the Gunflint trail will likely experience smoke. 
• A closure has been put in place on the U.S. side to ensure visitor safety. 

Closure:  From the US/Canadian border heading south along the section lines of T65N, R7 W, sections 21 and 28, including all campsites on islands and peninsulas on adjacent lands.

• The following lakes, portages, and campsites are closed:  from the US/Canadian border on Knife Lake to the east end of Swamp Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake, Little Knife Lake, Amoeber Lake, Topaz Lake, Cherry Lake, Hanson Lake, Clam Lake, Lunar Lake, Lake of the Clouds, Rivalry Lake,  Gijikiki Lake, Ester Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Rabbit Lake, Ashdick Lake, and Swamp Lake. 
• Portages from South Arm of Knife Lake to Bonnie Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Sema Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Eddy Lake, Swamp Lake to Saganaga Lake are closed.  Northbound travel from Bonnie Lake, across the Bonnie Lake to South Arm Knife Lake portage, and west bound transit through the South Arm Knife Lake to Knife Lake and out of the closure area is allowed.  Closure signs will be posted.

A new small fire was detected yesterday on the east side of Windy Lake on the Tofte Ranger District.  Crews immediately responded and controlled the fire at 1/10 acres.  Full containment is anticipated today.

Peterson Lake Fireon the east side of the forest near Horn Lake: T 62 R4 S14, SW of the NW, detected 9/12.  Size is one quarter acre. This fire is 100% contained and a ground crew is on the fire this morning.   Monitoring will continue by aircraft.

Mora Lake Fire on the east side of the forest, detected on 9/12, size revised to 3 acres.  The fire is 100% contained.  Fire crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire.

Resources Available:A total of 44   personnel.  Forest Service and contract fire engines,  Service Beaver float planes, Type 2 and Type 3 helicopters are assigned to the fire operations.  CL215s and more helicopters are available if needed.

Controlled Fires:

Cummings Lake Fire: T64 R14 Section 28, BWCAW; declared ‘controlled’ on 9/12/12. The fire line is holding well but the fire will not be out without significant rain or snowfall. This fire will be monitored by both ground and air crews.

Colby Lake Fire: a half acre near Hoyt Lakes; discovered 9/13/12. It is being patrolled daily by an engine crew.    

Fires Suppressed and Declared Out:

The Batista Fire near Batista Lake, Township 66, Range 13, the northeast corner of Section 9—east of (U.S.) Agnes and west of Iron Lake, was declared out. Wooden Leg Fire (T64 R9 Section 13: -91 25.43, 48 01.42) out.

• The lake, portage, and trail closures associated with this fire are lifted.
• Fire restrictions (fires only between 7 p.m. and midnight) are still in effect in this area as well as within the entire BWCAW.

Birch Lake #2 Fire was fought by Forest Service, Morse/Fall Lake, and Babbitt Fire Departments. The fire is declared ‘out’ at one tenth of an acre.

Camp Lake Fire is one tenth of an acre. Declared out on 9/12/12.

8 other fires were declared out between September 6th and 10^th.

Small Fire on Polly, Windy, Peterson, Mora, Little Devil, near Rosendal Lake

Special Notifications:  Various closures are in effect due to the Parley Fire, the Hoist Bay Fire, and the Canadian Emerald Lake Fire near Knife Lake. Please see the details below. 

• Public Safety crews are posting these areas. 
• Fire restrictions remain in effect in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
• Campfires are allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight.

NOTE:  Conditions are very dry and fire danger is very high across the Forest.   There have been several small fire starts over the past few days which fire crews have quickly suppressed.  Public safety crews are notifying people in the Wilderness about closures and restrictions. 

Wind direction is expected to shift to northwest today and push smoke from these fires towards populated areas increasing the potential for a noticeable smell of smoke.  Temperatures will be cooler with some change of precipitation but conditions are expected to remain dry.

Current Fire Activity: 

Parley Lake Fire, is 35acres within the BWCAW, T66 R12 S18, east of the Beartrap River, north of Sunday Lake, west of Sunday Bay of Crooked Lake, was discovered Sept 12. 

• Ground crews will continue mop-up and line construction. 
• Fire crews are working towards reaching 100% containment by end of today.   

Closures:  Campsites on Sunday and Saturday Bays of Crooked Lake, the Beartrap River, and Zones 1, 2, and 5 of the Sundial Primitive Management Area are closed.

• Travel through Sunday and Saturday Bays is still being allowed.

Hoist Bay Fire remains at 2 1/2 acres within the BWCAW, T64 R10 S17, between Hoist and Back Bay of Basswood Lake.  This fire was detected on 9/12/12.  

• The fire was 100% contained yesterday. 
• Fire crews are working towards reaching control of the fire by the end of today’s shift.    

Closures:  Four Mile Portage, Ella Hall, Muskeg, Slumber, and Mud Lakes (out of Fall Lake) plus Back Bay and Hoist Bay of Basswood. 

Additional portage closures include Pipestone to Back Bay, Back Bay toward Half Dog Island/Basswood (a.k.a. Frog Portage), and from Hoist Bay to Good Lake. 

Public Safety crews are notifying visitors in the area. 

Fort Frances #53, also known as the Norway Point Fire, 52 acres, remains on Canadian soil and is being monitored by Quetico and U.S. personnel.

Fort Frances #59/Emerald Lake Fire, between Knife Lake and Emerald Lake, is estimated at 525 acres, and continues to be active. The fire remains on the Quetico side and a Canadian fire crew is on scene. 

• Forest Service crews are monitoring this fire and are prepared to actively support Canadian fire crews as needed.
• Today winds are predicted to be out of the northwest and will likely push smoke into the Gunflint Trail area.
• A closure has been put in place on the U.S. side to ensure visitor safety. 

Closure:  From the US/Canadian border heading south along the section lines of T65N, R7 W, sections 21 and 28, including all campsites on islands and peninsulas on adjacent lands.

The following lakes, portages, and campsites are closed: 

• From the US/Canadian border on Knife Lake to the east end of Swamp Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake, Little Knife Lake, Amoeber Lake, Topaz Lake, Cherry Lake, Hanson Lake, Clam Lake, Lunar Lake, Lake of the Clouds, Rivalry Lake,  Gijikiki Lake, Ester Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Rabbit Lake, Ashdick Lake, and Swamp Lake. 
• Portages from South Arm of Knife Lake to Bonnie Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Sema Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Eddy Lake, Swamp Lake to Saganaga Lake are closed.  Northbound travel from Bonnie Lake, across the Bonnie Lake to South Arm Knife Lake portage, and west bound transit through the South Arm Knife Lake to Knife Lake and out of the closure area is allowed. 
• Closure signs will be posted.

Windy Lake Fire, was a new fire detected yesterday on the east side of Windy Lake. T61N, R6W, S26. 

Crews immediately responded and controlled the fire at 1/10 acres. 

Full containment is anticipated today.

248A Fire, T61N R18W S22, was a new small fire in a gravel pit southwest of Big Rosendal Lake.  The fire was small, easily extinguished, and declared out. 

This fire started as an unattended campfire and serves as an important reminder to extinguish all campfires before leaving.

Polly Lake Fire, T63N R6E S34 on the East Zone, estimated at one to two tenths of an acre is a new fire detected yesterday. 

• Forest Service Beavers and a Type 2 Helicopter dropped water.
• In patrol status today.

Peterson Lake Fireon the east side of the forest near Horn Lake: T 62 R4 S14, SW of the NW, detected 9/12.  Size is one quarter acre. This fire is contained and controlled.  

• Monitoring will continue by aircraft.

Mora Lake Fire on the east side of the forest, detected on 9/12, size revised to 3 acres.  The fire is 100% contained. 

• Aircraft will continue to patrol and monitor the fire.

Resources Available:A total of 180 people are assigned or available on stand-by.  Forest Service and contract fire engines, Forest Service Beaver float planes, one Type 2 and two Type 3 helicopters are assigned to fire operations.  CL215s and more helicopters are available if needed.

Controlled Fires:

Cummings Lake Fire,  located at T64 R14 Section 28, BWCAW, was declared ‘controlled’ on 9/12/12. 

• The fire line is holding well but the fire will not be out without significant rain or snowfall. 
• Monitoring by both ground and air crews has not detected further smoke but the fire will remain patrolled until out. 

Colby Lake Fire, a half-acre fire near Hoyt Lakes, discovered 9/13/12, is being patrolled daily by an engine crew.  

Little Devil Fire, at T61N R1E S12, a 1/10 acre fire outside the BWCAW near Grand Marais, was detected yesterday, quickly controlled, contained, and remains in patrol status.

Season Summary:

In addition to the active fires listed above, crews have put out 10 fires since the beginning of September. Of a total of 54 fires during 2012, 32 were human caused and 22 were caused by lightning. The total acreage burned by wildfire to date is 315.