Lakes ice is almost gone on a number of Ely area lakes. Moose lake has open water around the edges with dark ice in deeper water. Fall Lake is open. Shagawa still has ice.

Click on the attached files and see conditions at Moose Lake and Fall Lake landings.

January 19 at 5 pm (CST) is the last time to submit a lottery application for day-use and overnight motor permits.  This is the first release of these permits. The lottery will take place on January 20.

Give Spirit of the Wilderness a call and we will submit your application and do all the follow-up with notification of results to you.

January 25 is the first date all permits can be reserved on a first-served basis. Have you settled ona date to enter the BWCA this season? Give us a call and we will reserve your permit and you can relax and plan the details of your adventure.

Permit Lottery

A 2012 permit lottery will only be held for Fall Lake entry points D (motor Fall Lake & Beyond)  and 24 (overnight motor or paddle), and Moose Lake entry points F (day-use motor Moose-NewFND-Sucker only),G (day-use Moose-Basswood via Prairie Portage), and 25 (overnight motor or paddle). The USFS indicates a focused lottery will ensure a smooth initial reservation process.

Submission of lottery applications will occur December 19, 2011 to January 19, 2012. The lottery will run on January 20, 2012.

Overnight Paddle Permits

The USFS has released news of how and when 2012 permits will be reserved. Permits will continue to be issued at USFS Ranger Stations or by Cooperators such as Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, Ely MN.

Permit Lottery

A 2012 permit lottery will only be held for Fall Lake entry points D (motor Fall Lake & Beyond)  and 24 (overnight motor or paddle), and Moose Lake entry points F (day-use motor Moose-NewFND-Sucker only),G (day-use Moose-Basswood via Prairie Portage), and 25 (overnight motor or paddle). The USFS indicates a focused lottery will ensure a smooth initial reservation process.