BWCA Permit Lottery Deadline January 13, 2015

The BWCA Moose Lake & Fall Lake permit Lottery deadline is Jaunuary 13, 2015.

What does this mean for you? If you want to take a Day Trip and/or Overnight Motor Trip into the BWCA entry points of Moose Lake or Fall Lake you want to book now! 

These entry points only have so many permits that you can use a 25hrp or less motorboat with.  They run a permit lottery to try and make it a little more fair for those applying for a motor permit.  We will help you put in your permit lottery application by January 13, 2015.  The we wait.  A few days later the US Forest Service/Recreation.gov starts sending out confirmation emails 

What about paddle only permits for Moose Lake and Fall Lake entry points?  You can also enter the permit lottery for this type of permit.  It just gives you a bit of a jump start on booking your paddle only trip permits.  Remember you will only be looking at Moose Lake and Fall Lake entry points at this time.  All other entry point permit reservations will be available in a few weeks.

Other BWCA entry points - January 28th, 2015 we can start reserving all BWCA enter point permits.  This is when the first come first serve reservations start for the summer of 2015.  This is a really good time to reserve permits for those hard to get entry points such as Mudro, Gabbro, and Moose River North.  It is also a very good time to reserve for busy times of the summer.  The peak season is Mid-July to Mid-August.  If you want to travel then try and have us book your permit as close to January 28th as possible.

Will all the BWCA entry point permits be gone if I don't book by January 28th?  Yes and No.  Many of the day use motor and overnight motor permits will have been reserved in the lottery ending January 13th.  If you want a motor permit of either kind you need to get in on the lottery.  There are very few if any left to reserve after the lottery.  Other BWCA overnight paddle permits for most entry points will still have permits to reserve after January 28th.  If you are picky about your trip dates or want a specific entry point then book sooner then later.  If you are a bit flexible then you have some time to figure out your plans.

Do I need to know what outfitting I want when I get a permit?  No, the permit is the most important part.  Once we book your BWCA permit then we can help you determine what outfitting meets your needs.  For outfitting options please visit www.elycanoetrips.com.

Any questions or to book your BWCA permit call Spirit of the Wilderness at 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709 or email us at info@elycanetrips.com.

Sport Shows and Seminar Schedule for 2015

We welcomed in 2015 and look forward to a winter and spring full of Sport Shows and Seminars.  Here is a list of places to come visit Spirit of the Wilderness this Winter and Fall.

Do you have a group interested in taking a BWCA canoe trip this summer?  We can personally meet with you and your group near the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.  We can give a group presentation or just do a question and answer session with any group size.  Just call us at 218-365-3149 or
800-950-2709 to set up a time a place for a meeting or group presentation (all for no charge). 

2015 Sport Shows and Seminars

 

February 12-15, 2015 - LaCrosse, WI Sport Show. 

• Visit our Booth to talk about planning your upcoming BWCA o Quetico canoe trip.
• Steve's Seminars Fishing the BWCA and Unique Sights in the BWCA

 

March 7, 2015 - Quiet Waters Symposium in Lansing, MI

• Visit our booth and plan your canoe trip for 2015.  We can talk about entry points and routes
• Steve's Seminar -  Unique Sights in the BWCA You Should Visit

March 13-15, 2015 - Canoecopia Paddle Show in Madison, WI

• Visit our booth for personalized planning help and have your BWCA/Quetico canoe trip questions answered.
• Steve's Seminars - Planning your BWCA Adventure and Unique Sights in the BWCA You Should Visit

March 20-22, 2015 - Wisconsin Sport Show in Eau Claire, WI

• Visit our booth for BWCA trip planning help
• Steve's Seminars - Planning your BWCA Adventure and Unique Sights in the BWCA You Should Visit

March 25-29, 2015 - Northwest Sport Show in Minneapolis, MN at the Convention Center.

• Visit the Spirit of the Wilderness booth to pay your trip deposits and plan your canoe trips.
• Steve's Seminars will be confirmed as we get closer to the show.

 

April 24-26, 2015 - Midwest Outdoor Expo, Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, MN

• Visit our booth once again. Lets hope this is a nice warm event for our booth this year:)

 

May 9, 2015 - The Minnesota Fishing Opener. 

 

May 5-mid-October, 2015 - Come to Ely, MN to visit us and take your trip! 

 

We look forward to seeing you to help plan your 2015 BWCA & Quetico canoe trips.  Visit us at www.elycanoetrips.com for outfitting packages and options.

 

Also visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bwcaoutfitters  

 

Secret Shopper Visits Ely, October 2014

We had a secret shopper in our store today inspecting fishing rods. A very discriminate buyer. She clearly knew her fishing rods and what to look for. She liked our selection of G Loomis, Shimano, Fenwick and other name brands.  However, she commented on the great seats we provide to our customers. Our shopper is Sadie Ann, 11 months old, and our #2 granddaughter. 

Visit Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Bait Shop for all your Boundary Waters fishing needs. Located at 2030 E. Sheridan St, Ely MN.

Staff Appreciation Dinner - October 2014

This past season we had a great staff working for Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Outdoor Store. They served our guests very well. We do appreciate all the hard work and many hours they put in to make this one of our best years. Thank you to all. 

Staff Appreciation dinner at the Grand Ely Lodge.

Many smiles and a great dinner with everyone

Isabella River to Bald Eagle Lake, September 2014 trip

Great video of Dave & Naomi McTeague canoe trip from Isabella Lake to Bald Eagle Lake in September. The Mcteagues bought a Bell Northwind from us and really enjoyed it. Thank you Dave and Naomi for the business and the video.

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJM9gVGlGo

Prescribe burn update - October 7, 2014

Observers may see smoke and even flames on the interior of burn areas listed below as fire continues to smolder and consume more pockets of fuel, which is what fire managers want to have happen. Holding lines are secure. Smoldering may continue until significant snowfall.

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.
•  Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake. This unit continues to put up a fair amount of smoke.
•   Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake. About half of this unit was ignited.

·         In addition, fire crews burned some brush piles along the Mushroom Island Road (Township 62 N, Range 12 W, Section 1) just to the west of the mid-section of White Iron Lake, east of Ely, MN yesterday.

Crews continue to monitor all of the areas listed above. They watch for both weather patterns and fire behavior.

Safety message: 

Please do not walk in “the black” as burned areas are called. Root systems of trees may have been burned so that a green tree might topple over without warning. Holes may be filled with smoldering material.

Fire crews may return to these sites to perform additional prescribed burns within the next several years to continue clean-up and encourage the comeback of desired species.  For more information, contact Becca Manlove, Information Officer, Kawishiwi Ranger District, 218-365-2093. 

Ely Area Fishing report - October 1 2014

The Fall fishing is heating up with numerous big fish being caught. Walleyes have been biting from 20-29 feet of water on Lindy rigs with minnows. The walleye pictured was 29 inches long and had about a 16 inch walleye in its throat. Big fish eat little fish! 

Fishing report provided by Rob Nelson, Ely Fishing Guides

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Bait Shop, Ely MN on Sheridan Street just received an abundant supply of minnows: Rainbow Chubs, Fathead Chubs, Crappie minnows, Pike suckers, Heavy Northern Suckers. Oh do they all look nice and lively.
Hours: open daily 7 am - 5 pm