Trying to get a head start on planning this year! Ensign has always been on my bucket list and this year is the year. Have spent many hours reading everyone's past posts trying to answer my own questions.

The trip will be just my wife and I, and my goal is to make it as easy and relaxing as possible. Entry date should be within the first two weeks of June. Planning on spending 5-6 days in BW and then a good day in Ely before staying in Duluth for a couple days. I've done many trips over the last 12-15yrs mostly EP37 Kawishawi and Sawbill entry points. Wife has been on a few of those including a couple trips to and past Malberg, so she's not new to the passion.

Looking for advice and just need to get some ideas off my plate as we plan:
1) Trying to keep the trip budget friendly, so entertaining the idea of staying at a bunk house night before and when we get out. Any advice to those that have this service and possible tow to portage. I've found VNO and Latourells sites only at this time as the most frequent used or recommended.
2) We are trying to plan way ahead to keep dates in our favor. I know from last year when we planed a last minute 10 day trip that the Moose entry pt. permits go fast. Thinking out loud about what entry/exit day of the week will be best to see the least traffic or more favorable conditions for paddling?
3) From searches it appears that from entry pt. to first portage (Splash?) is only 2 hr paddle? I know the wind can be a factor, but seems there is always a debate on getting the tow. Wife thinks I'm nuts about even considering it, but kinda feeling lazy all snowed in at the moment LOL.

Help me get my thoughts out so I can get some dates set!
Regards,
LGD

On our windy June entry day (10-15mph, occasionally sustained 20mph) we estimated the tow saved us 5 hours of paddling. We would have had that headwind the entire way. We ended up stopping early on Knife because of it. It was a bit windy for the exit day, and my Sept trip exit day was very windy and it likely saved us 5-6 hours of paddling and any risk of capsizing. I highly recommend the tow service. You can be on Birch or Ensign and away from big water and motors pretty early with it! I don't know what time their earliest tow is, but you could probably be paddling on Ensign by 8 or 8:30. That gives you basically the entire day to settle in and fish and relax.

It was pretty busy when I was there in early June so you will probably have to check a few sites. I recommend binoculars! Even cheap ones will do the trick.

I put in on Friday morning (June 1) and exited on Saturday afternoon (June 9). The spot I stayed on Knife was decent, and a group showed up about 45 minutes later hoping to find it empty. When we moved to Kekekabic the next day, it was quite windy and the lake was quite choppy, but we got a nice site a bit west of the portage from Pickle. So, we got 2 decent sites on both Friday and Saturday. I don't know if most people were exiting around Fri/Sat, and on Sat we were far enough in to beat anyone who had entered that day. Maybe.

We arrived at Ensign on Thursday afternoon and found it very busy, checking and passing I think 6 or 8 sites on our way from the Ashigan portage up to the northwest corner next to a small bay, which is where we ended up staying. Nice site, a bit overused and had some trash, and no firewood to be found anywhere near the site, but easily found across the bay. We did see a group or two entering Ensign around 11am maybe? We had a few people come out as we were at the Splash portage waiting for our tow (1.5h early), but we also saw 1 or 2 groups enter during that time as well. If your wife agrees to the tow, you can be on Ensign early enough to beat most people any day. The only question is, which sites will be open, based on when other people are leaving. I think a lot of people leave on Sat and Sun, so that is probably your best bet? Just guessing.

Ensign is a beautiful lake with lots of structure, sunken islands, so the walleye fishing is great. Some nice looking topwater areas around the edges as well. Bring a crayfish trap if you want to have a boil... they are EVERYWHERE. Enjoy!!

Couple of bits of advice. Pay the tow and get the earliest one out of LaTourells, about 6 :30 AM. This will put you at the portage to Splash at about 7:00. You can be in camp easily by 10:00 and have the whole day. It’s like getting a bonus day on your vacation. The tow also gets you to the campsites early so you might get the first pick.

For fishing be sure to bring topwater lures for the Bass, plenty of them in the 19-20” size. Walleyes are on the Far East side of the lake. Well they are everywhere but better numbers on the east side. Bring Leeches and slip bobbers. Most campsites you can limit out right in camp from shore. Not kidding, been there about a dozen fishing trips.

Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car.....

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

If it saves me an entire travel day in and out, it's worth it. I don't have 2 days to spend paddling big water with motor traffic and more time around busy lakes. Even if the tow only saves me 1 day, that's 1 more day in the wilderness. 5 days of PTO means 9 days if you go Sat thru the following Sun, but I want a full recovery/catch-up day so that means 8 days. I live close enough to drive up the night before, and drive home on the exit day. Taking a tow is me maximizing the use of my free time. I like being on the water and paddling but a long paddle up Moose, Newfound, and Sucker on the first day on anything but completely flat water (very unlikely) is not my idea of a good time, having taken the tow 4 times total last year. It saves so much time, it's a no-brainer for someone whose time is limited. There is no right or wrong way to do it but I know how much I appreciate the service and it's not because I can't do the paddle.

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

+1

I know the tow service is often debated and have read enough threads to still not make up my mind, not as important to me as being able to find a decent site for one tent and two hammocks this year. Of course with that being said one can argue even more to take the tow....the only thing I can think of is being on Ensign to early in the morning that people have not broken camp, but then I have thought as soon as where on the lake we can start fishing sooner, as I never seem to get enough of that.

Looks like LaTourells is right near the entry point? I just noticed they appear to have private bunk rooms also, even better. Just by looking at my calendar it looks like I may have to push the week back into 3rd week in June OR go 3rd week (week before Memorial Day) in May. A lot of my trips are done Memorial Day week only to take advantage of the extra day for our group. I did a solo trip, once, the week before and needless to say it snowed and I ended the trip short. I know earlier May mean better walleye, but mid June should be warmer and more comfortable / relaxing for my wife.
I guess my biggest fear is getting a site later June with this busy of a lake.

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

+2

I like paddling. It is my vacation, not transit to it.

Budget friendly - head up first day and skip lodging/bunkhouse. Yes, you might have to move camp once. That's how I add an extra day to my vacation.

While not for years, I did not have trouble scheduling a tow at last minute when wearher was really bad.

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

I am assuming you have done more trips than your profile indicates, but for those of us who live a 12+ hour drive away, saving four to six hours of paddling at both ends of a trip makes a big difference. We normally drive over one day spend the night then off with a tow early am. On the way home it’s a tow out,then into Ely a quick shower and meal then drive straight home. This means up at 5:30am try to have about a three hour paddle out to the tow, even with that we are lucky to be in Ely by noon. Get a shower something to eat and your on the road by two or three, home by four am if your lucky, If you add a four to six hour paddle, you have another night in a motel meaning one less night in camp.

mutz: "

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

I am assuming you have done more trips than your profile indicates, but for those of us who live a 12+ hour drive away, saving four to six hours of paddling at both ends of a trip makes a big difference. We normally drive over one day spend the night then off with a tow early am. On the way home it’s a tow out,then into Ely a quick shower and meal then drive straight home. This means up at 5:30am try to have about a three hour paddle out to the tow, even with that we are lucky to be in Ely by noon. Get a shower something to eat and your on the road by two or three, home by four am if your lucky, If you add a four to six hour paddle, you have another night in a motel meaning one less night in camp."

Probably a personal preference we're never going to resolve, which is probably a good thing. We agree on trying to get another night in camp - which is why I like to enter the afternoon I arrive rather than lodge overnight and enter next morning - when everyone else is. I like to travel, not base or fish. Get two hours in and you can go that much further what might have been the first day. Probably why I see little motor traffic - which seems concentrated in mornings. This thread was about basing on Ensign - a 2 1/2 to 3 hr paddle from middle of Ensign to Moose entry, and tow would cut maybe 1 1/2 hours from the trip. Plus I really enjoy that 2 hour "last" paddle down Moose - fair or foul. And putting off the 500 or so business emails which await.

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

True enough, but isn't driving to the Ely/Grand Marais area instead of walking comparable to taking a tow instead of paddling?
I agree with those suggesting the tow and getting a campsite early in the day, then do your exploratory paddling at your own pace.

I can agree with everyone on the tow debate either way, but this years trip will be a different experience for us. We will have a 12+hr drive to get to Ely and I also will have the many emails to attend to when I get home. It's possible the one reason I look forward to this trip every spring, to stay away from the electronics and clear my head. Best part for the second year is my wife going. It may not be her first choice, but makes every minute pleasurable and even likes fishing just doesn't like doing it as long as I do; her theory is 1-3 on the stringer is enough for a meal and ready to head back to camp. She has fallen hard with the hammock community and may even attempt to sleep in it at night this year. Going to say I'm getting the tow, that way we she will have more energy to paddle and fish hard.

Lets get back to advice on camp sites and fishing spots :)
I would hate to take a site that could take 3 tents when we only require one tent spot and good enough trees to hang the hammocks. Sounds like there are a few spots that are "bushy".

Going to try and see as much as Ely as possible the half day we get out and good part of next day, so any advice on shops or places of interests are welcome. It's been many years but we use to rent a cabin many years ago when are kids where younger and have visited the Wolf center and Dorthy Molters in the past. Now no kids so are open to window shopping and a little wine tasting.

I fall into the "I go to paddle" camp, and like starting and ending under my own power. I usually plan on about 2 hours from entry to Splash portage paddling solo. I especially do not like the idea of getting a tow back, as I would hate waking up and already feeling I had to meet some schedule for the day. That's my preference.

A couple things to consider; getting an early tow would get you to Ensign faster, but doesn't guarantee pick of sites. It's not like it will be empty waiting for whomever is first. There will likely be other campers there in many sites - some base camped and some who will be packing up that day. Everyone varies, but I find most groups break camp and vacate sites somewhere between 9 and 11 am. Being a short paddle to the entry, some may not leave camp until early afternoon. Getting to Ensign first would give you first pick of any unoccupied sites (if any are available), and it would give you a chance to ask people at desired sites if they are leaving that day (some people do this, don't like to).

If concern about wind is key in your decision, you could consider waiting until about a week before your trip to decide on a tow. A week or so out, you should have a fairly reliable idea if it's likely to be calm, breezy, or windy. You might not get the first two, but you could probably still get one.

Lastly, I'm not sure, I suspect June might be a busy time for Moose entry permits because of the Boy Scout base there? Maybe someone else can clarify, but I thought June was a pretty busy month for them.

loongoingdeep: "I can agree with everyone on the tow debate either way, but this years trip will be a different experience for us. We will have a 12+hr drive to get to Ely and I also will have the many emails to attend to when I get home. It's possible the one reason I look forward to this trip every spring, to stay away from the electronics and clear my head. Best part for the second year is my wife going. It may not be her first choice, but makes every minute pleasurable and even likes fishing just doesn't like doing it as long as I do; her theory is 1-3 on the stringer is enough for a meal and ready to head back to camp. She has fallen hard with the hammock community and may even attempt to sleep in it at night this year. Going to say I'm getting the tow, that way we she will have more energy to paddle and fish hard.


Lets get back to advice on camp sites and fishing spots :)
I would hate to take a site that could take 3 tents when we only require one tent spot and good enough trees to hang the hammocks. Sounds like there are a few spots that are "bushy".


Going to try and see as much as Ely as possible the half day we get out and good part of next day, so any advice on shops or places of interests are welcome. It's been many years but we use to rent a cabin many years ago when are kids where younger and have visited the Wolf center and Dorthy Molters in the past. Now no kids so are open to window shopping and a little wine tasting.



"

I'd agree that you're focus on this EP and destination lake is securing a good campsite. In any event, a Wednesday entry will give you probably the best chance of getting a site to the eastern end of the lake. There are good sites throughout the lake as well, particularly in the narrows between east and west sections of Ensign but some of the better sites my family and I visited that last time we were there in 2017 were on the eastern end. Day trips into Vera and south via Agamok are possible (although Ensign is manageable that we did Vera from the western end).

You'll have lots of options on that lake. Enjoy.

Bushy? Not sure if that's good or bad, as in ah wilderness or overgrown, but we stayed at 1227 - just west of portage from Boot - and at first it seemed not great but quickly grew on us. Short steep climb from shore but that also meant some nice views. Also does not seem to be much used - so more firewood closer.

We found a number of sites that were very unappealing and with a lot of trash - including beer cans and bottles. We checked and moved on from all in the group around the two west islands - sites 1263-1271 - which seem to be floating on maps here.

If you could take the short portage (54r) from Ensign to Ashigan, I really like all 4 of the sites there . I stayed last at far westerly site - maybe lesser of the 4 but nice.

Just avoid Ensign on holiday weekends - party city. Hit it by accident on Memorial Day once - from Snowbank entry - just kept going.

billconner, thanks for the advice. I used the term bushy as a few searches posted by members used the term describing some sites. I would think they may have been attempting to describe sites as not having any trees, could only think of the 99 blowdown.

Highndry, have been trying to decide what day will be best to enter to obtain the best chance at getting a good site, I realize it's all a gamble. We seem to be good with vacation time, so could leave and enter any day of week, but for my work obligations, just easier if I don't split up two weeks. Wondering if the gamble is best to enter on a Saturday or Sunday.

I have a reason to stay on Ensign, and this will be our first choice unless no camp sites are available.

flynn: "

nooneuno: "Taking a tow has always made me think of the guy running a marathon, who jumps in a cab and gets dropped off at mile 25, then crosses the finish line like he can't go another step. I go to the Bdub to canoe, good, bad,or ugly it's pull and reach, pull and reach. Ensign from Moose is an easy trip for a base camp and perfect for an inexperienced crew wanting to get their feet wet, but save the tow for when you breakdown on the way home in the car....."

If it saves me an entire travel day in and out, it's worth it. I don't have 2 days to spend paddling big water with motor traffic and more time around busy lakes. Even if the tow only saves me 1 day, that's 1 more day in the wilderness. 5 days of PTO means 9 days if you go Sat thru the following Sun, but I want a full recovery/catch-up day so that means 8 days. I live close enough to drive up the night before, and drive home on the exit day. Taking a tow is me maximizing the use of my free time. I like being on the water and paddling but a long paddle up Moose, Newfound, and Sucker on the first day on anything but completely flat water (very unlikely) is not my idea of a good time, having taken the tow 4 times total last year. It saves so much time, it's a no-brainer for someone whose time is limited. There is no right or wrong way to do it but I know how much I appreciate the service and it's not because I can't do the paddle."

The OP was speaking to Ensign as his destination lake, a tow to Splash leaves a pretty short paddle to Ensign.

I've done that paddle a few times, and 2 hours is correct! Through Splash is correct also.

I've been up in that area leading groups, and I always used the tow. However, when I did solos, I paddled.

We like the tow. It's fun!

Savage Voyageur said it best.
Yes I like the paddle and have paddled back to Moose every time, but wind and boats can get the best of anyone.
Scream up to splash with the early tow and enjoy the day.

If you are going to Ensign and have an option to go in May, take it. Increases your chances of less people. Ensign has many sites on it so I can't imagine it would be close to full in May. Still busy by some of our standards but you will find a site. Still travel early

If getting a camp site was my biggest priority I would skip the tow and get there before the tow services start.

I've done Ensign twice - with the tow there both times and both times paddled back. LaTourells is fantastic, bunkhouse there is great. The last time we did it I took my youngest for the first time, she was 3, and the rest of our group save my wife and son were newby's. It was great to get to the lake quickly and without dealing with all that motor traffic. On our way out we had a stiff wind in our face the whole way...and I think any of us would have gladly paid the money for a tow back, especially with young paddlers in the boat...it was a challenge. I was glad all our greenhorns had a week of paddling under their belts before we made the paddle back down Moose. The lake was pretty full both times. The first time before my wife and I were married we spent a few nights on an island on the western side - it was nice. Second trip we had to really scout and finally found a decent side on the far east/south bay. We did an Ogish trip two summers ago, and took the Seagull tow as far as we could. On our way back, it was incredibly hot with zero wind, and we were happy to see that tow boat waiting for us after 9 hrs of paddling out. I think our tow days are behind us now, but with new folks it was definitely helpful and appreciated, I don't think you'll regret it if you have the funds to do so.