Hi all,

Our crew is putting in June 20th at EP56 at Seagull. Question about permit:

We will be driving up from the Twin Cities, and plan on staying overnight at the bunkhouse at Seagull Outfitters. We plan on getting in late - probably 10:00 PM or later. I've cleared this with Seagull Outfitters, as they will leave a light on for us.

We already have purchased at BWCA permit, but we have always picked it up from a Ranger station before we set out. Since we will be arriving late, we won't be able to stop into the Gunflint Ranger station before we reach Seagull.

What options do we have? We would hate to wake up early, drive an hour back to the ranger station then drive back to Seagull Outfitters to get ready. Can we get it mailed?? Or I've never done it, but apparently you can leave some information at your EP?

Thanks in advance! Cant wait to get the season started. Ice out it looking good!

When I am in a similar situation coming from the Cities, I set my pick up location as the Duluth Pack Store. 365 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802. Verify hours, but they are open until 9:00 PM most summer nights. You'll probably be hitting Duluth around 7/8 o'clock.

I have had a similar situation in the past...had the permit sent to the wrong vendor. (Ouch!) It was all my fault. I would ask Debbie at Seagull Outfitters, but I am pretty sure they can log in and get your permit processed there instead. Someone will correct me if I am wrong...

Deacon: "I have had a similar situation in the past...had the permit sent to the wrong vendor. (Ouch!) It was all my fault. I would ask Debbie at Seagull Outfitters, but I am pretty sure they can log in and get your permit processed there instead. Someone will correct me if I am wrong..."

+1 I would check with Seagull, I am going in EP 25 Moose Lake and La Tourell's will have the permit there. I would bet Seagull could help you out. I don't know just guessing.

When you purchase a permit you can name a cooperator - Seagull is surely a cooperator (as are almost all outfitters). You can probably go online and change it yourself, or Seagull can probably help. I always name my outfitter, so I've never done it.

You can't get the permit mailed because you're supposed to watch the video each & every time, also the number of people or watercraft in your party could change.

The others who posted before me have good advice - you can log on to recreation.gov and change your permit issuing station as much as you want up until the day of issue. If you absolutely want to hit the water at the crack of dawn, then you'll want to pick up at the Duluth Pack Store. Otherwise, Seagull should be able to give you the permit right before you put in the following morning.

I have a similar dilemma for my trip this summer, same EP and outfitter. We'll be arriving after Seagull closes and will pick up our permit the morning of our entry right from them.

Wish we could help with these permits since we open at 5 am and close at 10 pm but you all would have to drive way out of your way (in Ely) for your trips.

Good luck!

Deacon: "I have had a similar situation in the past...had the permit sent to the wrong vendor. (Ouch!) It was all my fault. I would ask Debbie at Seagull Outfitters, but I am pretty sure they can log in and get your permit processed there instead. Someone will correct me if I am wrong..."

Yes you can. You just have to log back into the reservation website again and change your permit pick up station. The outfitter had me log in and I changed it from their computer. It should take only a few minutes.

paddlinjoe: "When I am in a similar situation coming from the Cities, I set my pick up location as the Duluth Pack Store. 365 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802. Verify hours, but they are open until 9:00 PM most summer nights. You'll probably be hitting Duluth around 7/8 o'clock.


"

We do this as well. You're allowed to pick up permits the night before entry, and there are lots of restaurant options in canal park. Traffic can be a little busy, and sometimes parking is tough, but there is a pay lot south of the store, that usually has a spot.

VoyageurNorth: "Wish we could help with these permits since we open at 5 am and close at 10 pm but you all would have to drive way out of your way (in Ely) for your trips.


Good luck!"

VoyageurNorth...Thanks for the Pro Tip! I'm changing my issuing station to you guys, as we're usually driving through Ely 8:30p or so and CBO doesn't open until 7:30a...plus I like your tackle options better...I still have the Fenwick Eagle GT I bought from you in 2000. Thanks again! See you June 6!

mirth: "You can't get the permit mailed because you're supposed to watch the video each & every time, also the number of people or watercraft in your party could change.


The others who posted before me have good advice - you can log on to recreation.gov and change your permit issuing station as much as you want up until the day of issue. If you absolutely want to hit the water at the crack of dawn, then you'll want to pick up at the Duluth Pack Store. Otherwise, Seagull should be able to give you the permit right before you put in the following morning.


I have a similar dilemma for my trip this summer, same EP and outfitter. We'll be arriving after Seagull closes and will pick up our permit the morning of our entry right from them."

My last 11 trips I picked up the permit at the ranger station in Ely, I have gone with experienced folks as well as newbies, I have never nor has anyone in my groups ever been asked to see the video.

Sounds good to me! :-)

See you then! Bringing your Fenwick up for the trip?

GickFirk22: "

VoyageurNorth: "Wish we could help with these permits since we open at 5 am and close at 10 pm but you all would have to drive way out of your way (in Ely) for your trips.



Good luck!"

VoyageurNorth...Thanks for the Pro Tip! I'm changing my issuing station to you guys, as we're usually driving through Ely 8:30p or so and CBO doesn't open until 7:30a...plus I like your tackle options better...I still have the Fenwick Eagle GT I bought from you in 2000. Thanks again! See you June 6!"

A few years ago I had the same situation. I was able to log into the permit site and change the issue site from the ranger station to an outfitter. You should see if you can do this. It was very easy at the time. Just change it to Seagull outfitters.

VoyageurNorth: "Sounds good to me! :-)


See you then! Bringing your Fenwick up for the trip?

GickFirk22: "

VoyageurNorth: "Wish we could help with these permits since we open at 5 am and close at 10 pm but you all would have to drive way out of your way (in Ely) for your trips.



Good luck!"

VoyageurNorth...Thanks for the Pro Tip! I'm changing my issuing station to you guys, as we're usually driving through Ely 8:30p or so and CBO doesn't open until 7:30a...plus I like your tackle options better...I still have the Fenwick Eagle GT I bought from you in 2000. Thanks again! See you June 6!"

"

Absolutely, though truth be had, it's now my loaner setup for my buddies to use as I've upgraded to some nicer rods. Its still a great workhorse though!

Interesting... I was going to post a similiar question as we are driving from central Mi and there is no way we would make it to a Ranger station before closing time, but we could make it too Duluth by 9pm easy.
So just too clarify (first time to BWCA), all I have to do is switch my reservation so that the permit location is the Duluth Pack store? Do I need to call or use them for any other services?
Also we typically haul our canoes/gear in a small enclosed trailer, would there happen to be parking anywhere around the store for a truck/trailer?

Not sure about the parking, but yes, you can change your permit issuing station.

Check to make sure what hours they are open. To just have a permit issued at a "cooperator", cost is a $2.00 fee.

If I'm using an outfitter I always list them as my permit pick up spot. I just take care of the paper work with them the morning of departure. Even if you have time to pick it up at a ranger station doing it at the outfitter saves an additional stop along the way.

Jasonf: "
Also we typically haul our canoes/gear in a small enclosed trailer, would there happen to be parking anywhere around the store for a truck/trailer?
"

Yes, there is public parking near the store. If there parking lot is busy, there may/may not be room to pull through and use two spots. Also, depending on time of day, there is a small length of stay parking fee.

paddlinjoe: "

Jasonf: "
Also we typically haul our canoes/gear in a small enclosed trailer, would there happen to be parking anywhere around the store for a truck/trailer?
"

Yes, there is public parking near the store. If there parking lot is busy, there may/may not be room to pull through and use two spots. Also, depending on time of day, there is a small length of stay parking fee."

Thanks everyone for the info, this definitely streamlines the trip.