Looking for an outfitter in Ely, Bunk house, 2 man Kevlar canoe, and a tow to upper west side, Basswood Lake. We come up BWCA almost every year, Moose/knife area. Wanted to try Basswood River and a bit of crooked Lake. Just wanted to find the outfitter that a little closer for that tow.

West side,Basswood lake

Williams and Hall is one of the outfitters who can provide the tow and other services you want. I've used them on two trips to or from Basswood. They have given us a tow to/from Back Bay and Lincoln Island. You'll start from their base on Moose Lake and go through Prairie Portage (US side).

Getting dropped off at the Back Bay portage will get you closer to the Basswood River.

The outfitter that's right for you depends on your entry point. If you can get in at Fall Lake there are outfitters that will take you toward the north end of the motorized zone on Pipestone/Jackfish Bays.

If you have to enter at Moose Lake, then W&H is a quality open. A tow from Moose to Back Bay will be expensive.

That's why I was asking, a tow from Moose is a long trip. Just wondering if..Any outfitters in Ely offer tow to the northwestern part of Moose lake Via Fall Lake ep. 24. Thanks

Canoe Country Outfitters offers tow to Washington Island - $95/person - or Back Bay - $200/person - $250 minimum.

https://canoecountryoutfitters.com/other/

Check other outfitter web sites.

It's one of my favorite paddles. Start at Moose EP and make Basswood Falls by evening. Just Prairie Portage.

ps: they have a Moose Lake base with camp sites, bunk house, and cabins.

lean: "That's why I was asking, a tow from Moose is a long trip. Just wondering if..Any outfitters in Ely offer tow to the northwestern part of Moose lake Via Fall Lake ep. 24. Thanks"

If you put in from EP24, you could arguably paddle to the Basswood River region faster than a tow will get you from Moose Lake to Back Bay or Lincoln Island. Easy route. Leave EP24 at 6am and you will be at the Horse Portage by lunch.

I know of no one that offers regular tows to Pipestone or Jackfish. It would involve portage wheels. However, money talks.

I'd second Canoe Country Outfitters, they are great to work with & reasonably priced :)

soundguy0918: "
If you put in from EP24, you could arguably paddle to the Basswood River region faster than a tow will get you from Moose Lake to Back Bay or Lincoln Island. Easy route. Leave EP24 at 6am and you will be at the Horse Portage by lunch."

I agree, however, on a pleasant traveling day you risk not being able to find a nice or even mid-tier quality campsite if you arrive in the Horse Portage area midday. There are a lot of fisherman basecampers in the nice sites on upper Basswood, and the same is true for the area downstream of Horse Portage to Lower Basswood Falls.

It creates a campsite desert for people traveling through the area.

Try Packsack outfitters. I know they use to do tows from Fall Lake to the north end of Jackfish Bay. Not sure if they still do.

eelpout89: "Try Packsack outfitters. I know they use to do tows from Fall Lake to the north end of Jackfish Bay. Not sure if they still do."

How did packsack do this. Back Bay portage? Newton? Did they motor past Washinton Island and around U.S. Point?

Kendis: "

soundguy0918: "
If you put in from EP24, you could arguably paddle to the Basswood River region faster than a tow will get you from Moose Lake to Back Bay or Lincoln Island. Easy route. Leave EP24 at 6am and you will be at the Horse Portage by lunch."

I agree, however, on a pleasant traveling day you risk not being able to find a nice or even mid-tier quality campsite if you arrive in the Horse Portage area midday. There are a lot of fisherman basecampers in the nice sites on upper Basswood, and the same is true for the area downstream of Horse Portage to Lower Basswood Falls.

It creates a campsite desert for people traveling through the area."

I won't argue that point, just stating that ETA via the long tow from Moose Lake to Back Bay, plus the portage, plus the paddle time from there to the Horse Portage...probably a wash.

Findian: "

eelpout89: "Try Packsack outfitters. I know they use to do tows from Fall Lake to the north end of Jackfish Bay. Not sure if they still do."

How did packsack do this. Back Bay portage? Newton? Did they motor past Washinton Island and around U.S. Point?"

Portage wheels on tow boat via Newton, Pipestone

eelpout89: "

Findian: "

eelpout89: "Try Packsack outfitters. I know they use to do tows from Fall Lake to the north end of Jackfish Bay. Not sure if they still do."

How did packsack do this. Back Bay portage? Newton? Did they motor past Washinton Island and around U.S. Point?"

Portage wheels on tow boat via Newton, Pipestone "

That's what the OP was looking for.

Findian: "

eelpout89: "

Findian: "

eelpout89: "Try Packsack outfitters. I know they use to do tows from Fall Lake to the north end of Jackfish Bay. Not sure if they still do."

How did packsack do this. Back Bay portage? Newton? Did they motor past Washinton Island and around U.S. Point?"

Portage wheels on tow boat via Newton, Pipestone "

That's what the OP was looking for."

I've camped on Pipestone Bay several times and have seen those tow boats, but not for a couple of years. I don't know if tht means I've just been there at the wrong time, or if they are not dong that anymore.

Thanks for all the info guys, I think we are just going to paddle our way in.