A friend of mine put in for an overnight motor permt, entering mid june, for Moose Lake entry point to go to Basswood Lake. He approached me and asked if I wanted to go with. I have never put in for a motor permit before and have not been to the basswood lake aera so there are several questions I have.

1. Are the overnight motor permits part of the regular quota system? I looked on the bwcaw.org website and did not find much info on overnight motor permits.

2. Is there a mechanical portage system at Prairie Portage that hauls boats over to basswood Lake?

3. Are motor boats restricted to certain parts of the lake, like on Lake Saganaga?

4. Is a permit needed for each boat, or does it have the same requirements as a paddle permit (Four boats and nine people)?

5. Any suggestions on camping and fishing areas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help the boad members can give.

tony

#2- yes,there is a truck portage at Prairie portage

#3- yes,motors are restricted to the southern part of the lake.Basically from P.P down to Ottawa Island along the US shoreline,then everything south of Washington and Ottawa island,also Jackfish and Pipestone Bays are motorized but no way to get to them from PP,you would have to come from Fall lake to get to those 2 bays by wheeled portaging,no mechanical from Fall.

kevheads,

You can get to Pipestone Bay from the PP side by taking the portage from the end of Back Bay.

You come out just before Lewis Narrows.

I just assumed that portage was only wide enough for canoers,can you get a motorboat through there?

Tony,
You apply for a lottery "overnight motor permit." They limit the number of permits both nightly and weekly. For instance, they might allow 5 overnight motor permits a day, but only 25 for a week. To get an overnight permit, there must be availability for both the day and the week you want.
I believe the system is the same 4 boat/ 9 people per permit as the the paddle permits. I put in for one for Basswood this year, and I was asked the same questions as a paddle permit.
The Back Bay portage is wide enough to get a motor boat across, but I don't think there's any motorized assistance available there. You can use portage wheels, but you'll need something to carry your boat on. The Prairie Portage costs around $24 per boat. This covers the round trip.
The motorized portion of Basswood accessible from Prairie Portage offers many miles of shoreline. You'll have access to some great fishing.
Have fun! I might be up there w/ my boat on the opener for a quick fishing trip.

kevheads

Yes you can take boats through there.

The portage used to be non mechanical (no portage wheels) until they changed the boundary line to exclude the U.S. Point motor route.

The portage wheel was then allowed.

quote The Great Outdoors: "kevheads,



You can get to Pipestone Bay from the PP side by taking the portage from the end of Back Bay.



You come out just before Lewis Narrows."

To confirm, Motoring around US point is prohibited and the only way to get into Pipestone with a motor from the PP side is to portage through Back Bay?

Thanks,

You are correct - no motors around US Point. Too bad you are not going in Fall with a motor permit.