Putting in at Mudro and am planning on renting a kevlar. We wouldn't get into Ely until late (between 7:00 - 9:00 pm), but would ideally like to get on the water at first light. We are planning on camping at one of the dispersed forest camping locations the night before.

Does anyone know or have any experience/recommendations with outfitters who would have the flexibility to allow us to scoop a canoe that late or work something else out?

Voyageur North Outfitters is open from 5am-10pm in the summer. We started using them for this exact reason when tripping on the Ely side. They've been great to work with.

I picked up a permit awfully late from Piragis a couple of years ago, I'm sure they will work with you as well.

Curious how you’re going to secure your permit? If you use Piragis, for example, to get your canoe, you also need to have them issue your permit at the same time. So where are you picking up your permit?

egknuti: "Curious how your going to secure your permit? If you use Piragis, for example, to get your canoe, you also need to have them issue your permit at the same time. So where are you picking up your permit? "

Means they'd be in Duluth around 5pm? Could pick up there....

As for the canoe I'll second VNO. They've got new owners now but they used to be open late, especially if they knew you were coming.

When you reserved your permit for Mudro, what location did you put down for picking up your permit? That might be your limiting factor.

+1 on the permit being the limiting factor. Outfitters are usually able to work something out.

AirPrex: "Voyageur North Outfitters is open from 5am-10pm in the summer. We started using them for this exact reason when tripping on the Ely side. They've been great to work with."

My experience as well. One trip with them we arrived at midnight and were out the door at 5:15. Super accommodating.

straighthairedcurly: "When you reserved your permit for Mudro, what location did you put down for picking up your permit? That might be your limiting factor."

You can change your pickup location at any time after making the permit. You are not locked into the ranger station or outfitter you chose at the time you made the permit reservation. I have personally changed my permit pickup location on multiple occasions over the last several years.

Kendis: "

straighthairedcurly: "When you reserved your permit for Mudro, what location did you put down for picking up your permit? That might be your limiting factor."

You can change your pickup location at any time after making the permit. You are not locked into the ranger station or outfitter you chose at the time you made the permit reservation. I have personally changed my permit pickup location on multiple occasions over the last several years."

I used to do that also...However, last year they made it more difficult. You used to be able to just change it on the recreation.gov website. Last year, you could only change it if you called a ranger station and that same warning was on the website this year and the option too modify your pickup location has been grayed out.

RatherbeDuffing: "Putting in at Mudro and am planning on renting a kevlar. We wouldn't get into Ely until late (between 7:00 - 9:00 pm), but would ideally like to get on the water at first light. We are planning on camping at one of the dispersed forest camping locations the night before.

Does anyone know or have any experience/recommendations with outfitters who would have the flexibility to allow us to scoop a canoe that late or work something else out?

"

What date? Sun up can be pretty early so you might not end up camping very long.

I'd second (3rd or 4th) using VNO. I'd also recommend using their bunkhouse to save setting up and tearing down camp in the dark for very little benefit.

Make sure you're looking for rocks as they were pretty shallow at the start of that EP in recent years.

Piragis' summer outfitter hours are daily 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. We've had great service with Piragis.

TZ

Personally, I pay for the extra day and have them put the canoe out for me. Never had a problem. I make and print my own reservations, have my fishing license, etc.

mike2019: "Personally, I pay for the extra day and have them put the canoe out for me. Never had a problem. I make and print my own reservations, have my fishing license, etc.


"

The only time you could print your own permit was during the height of the pandemic when the ranger stations were closed. Printing your reservation off recreation.gov does not qualify as your official permit.

Has the OP disappeared?

mike2019: "Personally, I pay for the extra day and have them put the canoe out for me. Never had a problem. I make and print my own reservations, have my fishing license, etc.


"

The only time you could do this was during the heart of the pandemic.

I've rented solo boats in the past and asked that they just be left out for me. They have my credit card info and name and address...shouldn't be a problem.

Mike

Last year I had no problem transferring my permit over the net to what ever outfitter I was using.

straighthairedcurly: "

mike2019: "Personally, I pay for the extra day and have them put the canoe out for me. Never had a problem. I make and print my own reservations, have my fishing license, etc.



"

The only time you could print your own permit was during the height of the pandemic when the ranger stations were closed. Printing your reservation off recreation.gov does not qualify as your official permit.

Has the OP disappeared?"

Busy at work the last few weeks. Totally forgot that you can't print your own permit like last year. That certainly adds another layer of complexity. Maybe I can still work something out with an outfitter for a late night permit/canoe pickup.

Thanks for the VNO recommendation. I will give them a call and see if there is anything they can do for me. If not, it is what it is and we will just have to deal with it in the morning.

Do check your permit issuing station, see where it is being sent for issuance. I suggest you find out with plenty of time and change it to the outfitters/business you plan on picking up a canoe rental sort of "after hours".