We're kicking around a 2021 plan to play some golf at the Wilderness, then stay at the Fortune Bay casino the night before our trip. Then get a tow across Vermillion up to EP 1, where we would start our canoe trip and bee-line through Trout over to Pine Lake for a few nights of base camping.

We'll need to rent three canoes (group of six), and get the aforementioned tow. Are there any outfitters in that area that do this, or would we have to contact one of the Ely ones? If we do need to do that, any recommendations which of them might be most equipped/amenable to doing this for a reasonable price?

Where is the boat launch that we might use near the casino area?

Would love to hear anyone's experience that has gotten a tow with canoes up through Vermillion. Thanks!

I’ve NEVER seen a tow boat on Vermillion. 99% of the traffic on Trout is in boats with outboards as well. There may be a resort willing to accommodate you, maybe even Fortune Bay, but I don’t know of anyone off hand that offers that service on Vermillion.

Anderson Outfitters on Crane Lake would be your best bet. They have 22’+ tow boats with 250’s for trucking across the Canadian side of LLC. You might be able to get them to run you across Vermillion and into Trout.

Vermillion and Trout are both very big water. I’d rent a 16’ boat or two and just stay on Trout Lake if I were you.

There’s a public access across Everett Bay from Fortune Bay’s marina and they have their own landing as well.

Dang, so how do people typically get to Pine? I guess I figured Vermillion was a common tow route like Burntside, Moose, Sag, etc.

*edit* - I did some research and it looks like Moccasin point is a common jumping off spot, and there is a marina there that rents canoes. Not sure about tows, but at least I have a better sense of where to enter Vermillion rather than way on the south end by the casino.

For the tow, contact Lonnie @ 218.780.3610 - He can arrange the tow across Vermillion and on across the mechanical portage if you do not want to carry the short portage into Trout. Most of the outfitters up there can rent canoes. Another option, call Lynn from Voyager North out of Ely, they can probably provide the canoes and tow (I think). But you might want to check other outfitters for canoes that are closer to Tower. Maybe just start with a call to Lonnie.
Thanks

I forgot about the Kladivo's at Shamrock Marina. They're just west of Moccasin point in Greenwood bay. I bet they'd be willing to accommodate you with a tow but I don't know if they rent canoes. If you can get an outfitter to drop canoes at MP it's only a few mile paddle to TLP across one of the narrower sections of the lake. That's how I usually see canoes going in and probably why I've never seen a tow boat.

I know people come off the Echo, down the 200 rd and bushwhack into Oriniack, but that's probably a little too much adventure for you. I don't believe it's legal either....

In September, I paddled from Moccasin point where I parked my car. Went from vermilion to trout and portaged to pine. Going out on a Tuesday wasn't too busy and the water was pretty flat. Coming out on Saturday was fairly busy with a little chop. Not uncomfortable though. Following the shoreline was the way to go.

I did speak with a couple of guys that rented a boat to shuttle their canoe and gear to the postage into pine. They were able to beach it there for the weekend while they were out. They said they were to old to paddle the bigger water.

treehorn - call shamrock marina and ask him for his guy's number that does tows - i forget the guys name, but him and his son towed us to trout lake portage for $150 round trip. it's an older guy and his kid. sorry i dont have more info... we rented canoes from duanes outfitters and he met us a MP with them