Four minutes after 9:00am CST I had my EP 55 (Saganaga) permit in hand! 15 per day on the big lake, but still happy to have mine.

Who else won today?

not taking payment info. Seems like the site is crashing

Got the key permits I needed for the Summer. Going to wait a few days now and see what lingers for a later Fall trip, because I haven't quite figured out where Im going. Probably EP 54.

wanderingfromkansas: "Four minutes after 9:00am CST I had my EP 55 permit in hand!

Who else won today?"

Success for me. Permits still going fast like they have been.

Got mine for EP 30, was looking for a nice easy paddle with just me and 2 kids going.

Got ours! Kawishiwi Lake in early August. Once I finished payment, there was only 1 permit left for our entry date, so glad I hopped on right at 9! Hoping to get a possible second trip planned for the summer, but the dates and entry for that one would be more flexible.

I got mine! I didn't think I would have too much trouble with an August Skipper entry, but it is for a Friday and there are only 2 permits.

Process was very smooth, no site crashes.

Hope everyone else has the same experience! Good Luck!!!

I got mine! I didn't think I would have too much trouble with an August Skipper entry, but it is for a Friday and there are only 2 permits.

Process was very smooth, no site crashes.

Hope everyone else has the same experience! Good Luck!!!

I got mine! I didn't think I would have too much trouble with an August Skipper entry, but it is for a Friday and there are only 2 permits.

Process was very smooth, no site crashes.

Hope everyone else has the same experience! Good Luck!!!

Got the date and EP we wanted...everything on or around our desired entry date was booked within 90 seconds.

I got mine! I didn't think I would have too much trouble with an August Skipper entry, but it is for a Friday and there are only 2 permits.

Process was very smooth, no site crashes.

Hope everyone else has the same experience! Good Luck!!!

East Bearskin in late June and Kawishiwi Lake in early September. By 9:11 am East Bearskin date was gone.
Wowy!

East Bearskin in late June and Kawishiwi Lake in early September. By 9:11 am East Bearskin date was gone.
Wowy!

Sorry for all the duplicate messages - I had trouble with this site locking up!

Got #15 on May 23rd went well at 09:07

Got my permit in 6 minutes only cuz i bought two permits. Going to clear water may 17. Its a good thing I was on right a way because the the next ten days were gone in the next two minutes. My other permit is for fall lake on June 21. I'm happy.

tony

CoachBigD: "not taking payment info. Seems like the site is crashing"

Must have been getting blocked on my work laptop. Went to home laptop and they were even in my card and took my money.

SAK via Moose 6/2
Horseshoe via Lizz 9/2

Great Success!

We have a bingo.
Wood Lake in mid June with little duckling for some fishing.

My 2 and 3 choices of EP for that Date and my 2nd choice of Date for Wood were gone by the time I finished booking so I'm glad I was on at 9:00.

Got my Lizz for July 13th, pretty excited to go in there, have read a lot of good things.

Got my 4.

Snowbank in May, East Bearskin in June, Little Gabbro in July and LIS North in August. ..burning 4 weeks of PTO paddling!!!!!!!

Three first choice permits obtained by 9:12 am.

Mid-July Farm Lake for my wife and me
July-August Mudro Lake men's trip (made sure I got this one first!)
September E Bearskin Lake for my wife and me

Noticed that 92% of permits for 23-Mudro Lake between May 15 and September 15 were gone by 9:15 am. And, 100% of permits for 33-Little Gabbro Lake for that same range of dates were taken by 9:18 am.

I wasn't going after the HOT ones this year--did that last year with both Mudro (solo) and Clearwater (family & friends).

So got the following without trouble:
* June 30 - Moose River North with friends we've tripped with (near annually) since 2008!
* August 4 - Sawbill with my wife (or solo if she bails on me!)
* September 22 - Lizz & Swamp for a late season solo for fall foliage (I've never ventured in beyond Labor Day)

Good luck!

wxce1260: "Got my 4.


Snowbank in May, East Bearskin in June, Little Gabbro in July and LIS North in August. ..burning 4 weeks of PTO paddling!!!!!!!"

I burned about that much last year pedaling (bikes).. this year I'm changing it up! So far only like 2.5 weeks burned, but planning a long solo this fall then I'll probably be closer to 4. And it don't bother me one bit.

quote>Ahahn366: "Got #15 on May 23rd went well at 09:07"
Really #14 lis north, went back in and grabbed a cross bay for Sept

Was on at 9am and was able to secure my Mudro Lake EP in mid-June. I noticed all permits (5 per day) were gone for Mudro in June by 9:15. Yikes!!

Got my 2 - Seagull late July going to use Seagull Outfitters and S. Kawishiwi mid September with Piragis; so many choices; think you have everything set and then the what if's set in; Happy with what I got

Hello BWCA peeps. I've enjoyed all of the info shared on this site.
I'm a Minnesotan who has little experience in BWCA, but is an avid outdoorsman. As a kid I went to the Wilderness canoe base, which I believe is on Seagull lake. Since then I've wanted to return but just haven't had or made the time.

I jumped on the bandwagon late this year, thankfully remembering permits go on sale soon, just a couple days ago. So, my trip is really yet to be planned.

I did score a entry on #27 Snowbank for May 26, 2023. I know this is a popular route and a big lake. I'm taking my wife and am hoping for a nice trip. This will be fishing focused, as all of our vacations seem to be. Lucky me!

I'm an experienced paddler and an avid angler. My wife also enjoys fishing. I will be spending some serious time on the forums of past to find what I need. This will be my wife's first BWCA experience and my first since childhood.

Any suggestions related to fishing, camping, or Portages or routes we should consider? I'm thinking it will be a 4 to 5 day trip.
Any input or direct messages are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

Started refreshing at 9 until it said search available permits! Lol. It worked.....I was able to get little lndian river north for may 18, and get my stuart river for June 7. Both were my first choice dates and entry's. Stuart goes like lightening even with the long trip to the first campsite. Want to go in August but dosent really matter where or when so I'll try to get a permit later. Hope everyone has an awesome bwca paddle season!

Blessed to get ours for Saturday, June 3. A popular time of year and a very special time to be in the BW!

Super excited! My wife and my first BWCA trip. Moose Lake, September 18. Will be working with Piragis, excited for exceptional country and good fishing (without the bugs for my lovely wife).

Thanks for all the great information!

I booked our May 28th KIS North permit by 9:03-9:05... By 9:10 all four were gone. Truly unbelievable how fast they go. Mudro was gone, Mudro Restricted and Moose River North was gone.

Luckily I also got a LIS South for September also, but I had to change the date because the date I wanted was gone by 9:10.

I got all 3 I wanted! Cross Lake early June, Mudro early July and E.Bearskin for Labor day. I think most permits actually went slower than last year.
No evidence to back that up, just my feels. Those motor permits sure went fast though!

FishingFanatic33: "Any suggestions related to fishing, camping, or Portages or routes we should consider? I'm thinking it will be a 4 to 5 day trip.
Any input or direct messages are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!! "

Welcome to the site! You'd probably be best served starting your own post in the Trip Planning forum instead of hijacking this one. Snowbank is a big lake and the big winds on that lake have ruined many a trip. Conventional wisdom says you should try and be on the water as early in the morning as possible so you can get that big crossing in before the wind picks up.

Hey FishingFanatic33, for a first time trip since childhood (or first time for your wife) going in at Snowbank, you may want to look at a route through Disappointment, Ahsub, etc, up to Cattyman Lake and see Cattyman Falls. In late May there'll be a lot more volume there than later in the year due to snowmelt, so it's worth a visit.

The only other advice would be to get an early start on Snowbank; it's a big lake and the wind can whip it up pretty fierce, and it also allows motorcraft which adds an extra wrinkle.

Moose lake July 8, my wife, nephew, and his buddy and I. Planning to go to Jordan or Ima if the campsites on Jordan are taken. It must be near 30 years since I have been there, routing through Ensign.

Lake One July 20, just my wife and I. Planning an easy trip to Lake 3 or 5, maybe as far as Hudson. We were on Hudson last summer and the walleyes were thick and hungry.

RMinMN: "Moose lake July 8, my wife, nephew, and his buddy and I. Planning to go to Jordan or Ima if the campsites on Jordan are taken. It must be near 30 years since I have been there, routing through Ensign.
d hungry.
"

Had wolves come into our camp last September at the northern campsite on Jordan. Beautiful site.

11:15 am update -- Two (2) permits left for 23-Mudro Lake between May 15 and September 15. Both are for July 4th.

I've noticed that the week of the 4th of July is actually a good time to be up there, with so many families and groups occupied with their usual annual festivities that don't involve the BWCAW.

CoachBigD: "

CoachBigD: "not taking payment info. Seems like the site is crashing"

Must have been getting blocked on my work laptop. Went to home laptop and they were even in my card and took my money.


SAK via Moose 6/2
Horseshoe via Lizz 9/2


Great Success!"

Sorry about your computer problem, but those sound like two great trips! SAK in early June sounds like an angler's dream!

AlexanderSupertramp: "Got my Lizz for July 13th, pretty excited to go in there, have read a lot of good things."

Entered there shortly after ice-out last year. We were surpised that Caribou was empty, but Gaskin was busy.

Tony: "Got my permit in 6 minutes only cuz i bought two permits. Going to clear water may 17. Its a good thing I was on right a way because the the next ten days were gone in the next two minutes. My other permit is for fall lake on June 21. I'm happy.


tony"

Great spot! I hope the water is open by then for you.

I feel like the Tumblehome podcast has had a profound and lasting impact on the popularity of this entry.

Got Clearwater Lake for May 21 and Wood Lake for July 9...had them both by 9:05.

Mike

Had mine by 9:03. Sawbill July 3 until August 7. This is my "Choose your own adventure" summer.

wanderingfromkansas: "

Tony: "Got my permit in 6 minutes only cuz i bought two permits. Going to clear water may 17. Its a good thing I was on right a way because the the next ten days were gone in the next two minutes. My other permit is for fall lake on June 21. I'm happy.



tony"

Great spot! I hope the water is open by then for you.


I feel like the Tumblehome podcast has had a profound and lasting impact on the popularity of this entry."

I have not heard of the Tumblehome pod cast. It is a popular entry point though. I just checked Rec.gov and all the permits are gone from fishing opener till Sept 27. I go in May because that is the best time for Lakers. It has been quit a few years since I have been in this area, i'm looking forward to my solo.

tony

Three on the books - Baker (Frost River) solo in mid-May; Lizz in August for a few days and a September trip from Moose Lake to Knife and down through Frasier planned. No issues with the site, smooth and easy. See you on the water!

Got mine for Sawbill. Took all of 4 minutes.

Got my Duncan for August, Kawishiwi Lake for July and Hog Creek for June...did them in that order since the 1st was likely to be harder to get and was the only start date and EP that group can do. Glad I did it 1st because all were gone faster than lightning! The others were more flexible but also didn't disappear very fast. Counting the days!

I got the Brule Lake permit I wanted for a getaway with lots of options! I was stuck in a meeting at work, but there were still permits available for my first choice date when I got back to my office.

Got everything I wanted (including moose>basswood motor permits) and was done by 9:07. In my experience if you know how to use the site and have everything ready, it's pretty tough to not get what you want if you are on at 9 sharp. But if you're not on til 9:02 you will have issues with certain popular EPs at especially at peak times.

Looking forward to another year of tripping in my favorite place one earth :)

I feel like I won the lottery with a July Clearwater Lake! This will be my family’s first trip to the BWCA! I picked up a Lake one in August for a short solo trip as well.

LIS 14 late May. Only trip this year and likely a solo. First time booking myself and pleasantly surprised how smoothly it went. Less than five minutes…

Kendis: "

RMinMN: "Moose lake July 8, my wife, nephew, and his buddy and I. Planning to go to Jordan or Ima if the campsites on Jordan are taken. It must be near 30 years since I have been there, routing through Ensign.
d hungry.
"

Had wolves come into our camp last September at the northern campsite on Jordan. Beautiful site."

I've had wolves come into my yard. One followed my wife in from the garden, 20 feet behind her just like a pet dog.
One day she was in the garden picking beans and looked over to see a wolf standing only one row away. Yes, we have seen numerous wolves.

I missed Moose River south on July 1 but somehow got a Little Gabbro for May 26.

Going to Lake One on July 1!

CoachBigD: "not taking payment info. Seems like the site is crashing"

Hope you got through in the end!

KawnipiKid: "

CoachBigD: "not taking payment info. Seems like the site is crashing"

Hope you got through in the end!
"

This year I had the outfitter pull the permits for our three groups. I relaxed and went to the chinese buffett! Permit reservations showed up in my email this afternoon. Should have had them pull the permits every year

Crashdavis: "Had mine by 9:03. Sawbill July 3 until August 7. This is my "Choose your own adventure" summer."

You can't possibly be just staying on Sawbill that whole time, so what is your planned route? If you have one yet? Can cover a lot of ground with that kind of time! Jealous.

My company would burn to the ground if I was gone that long straight. Sadly :(

Lerbken: "I feel like I won the lottery with a July Clearwater Lake! This will be my family’s first trip to the BWCA!"

Clearwater was also our first trip to the BWCA. You will not be disappointed!! If time permits, a trip to Johnson Falls is worth the effort. Also, do not stop your journey at first falls - keep going as you will find more falls and the headwaters!

Mid-June, EP43 (Bower Trout). Come on summer!

Got what I wanted and done by 9:09. LIS # 14 for late May(seen a few of those, hope we don't all have the same idea) and Kawishiwi for day after Labor Day There was already one permit gone on Kawishiwi for that day so I guess I wont be alone.

Process worked great, feel bad for those who were blocked out after 10 minutes or so on the popular entries. But happy to have what we got.

But the reality is that if I hadn't got the choices I wanted I would still find a way to get up there at an interesting spot with some date flexibility. Been there, done that.

Successfully pulled the following permits:
1) Late May solo to Kawishiwi. Would like to loop around the Humpback PMA.
2) Early June with two young daughters to Baker. Hoping for some fishing success together.
3) Late July with my two daughters who will be home from college to Saganaga/Ottertrack/Little Sag/Round.
4) September solo to LISN. Would like to loop around the Weeny Lake PMA but possibly exit at a different spot depending on available time.

Looking forward to canoe country therapy to fuel my soul.

Got a Memorial Day weekend permit for Sawbill and an early July permit for Little Gabbro.

Whew. That was close. both were booked up within minutes.

May 24 - in at Little Indian Sioux, out at Moose R/Portage R with guys from work. I love this area and our group hasn't done a lot of river travel.

June 25 - in at Stuart, out at Hegman. Week-long (maybe more) solo. Long portage route, but I like hiking. Stuart was my very first EP and I've been longing to get back there.

July 9 - in at Duncan. Introducing 3 other guys to the wilderness with a short 2-nighter. Never been to Rose and need to remedy that.

August 6 - Sawbill, Fire Chain. Family trip (6 of us and a dog). Original plan was Mudro-Crooked, but those permits were snagged even though I tried to book this one 2nd (after LIS).

Probably do a trip with my adult son in September and another grouse hunting trip in October.

Slim Lake 21 to 26 August. Another solo. Keanu and back.

: "Slim Lake 21 to 26 August. Another solo. Keanu and back."

Lol. I haven't posted for a while and forgot to sign in.

June 3 on Mudro, going to Crooked. Love that trip.

Made a September plan for a church trip out of Lake One, hoping to roll down N. Kawishiwi River.

Our church is planning some fun stuff around canoeing and adventure.

Last year I was able to secure an opening day permit for mudro, but as you remember our trip was almost cancelled due to crazy iceout conditions, we ended up just barley being able to put in. the water was so high we put in at the parking lot, we made it to fourtown and were not able to go onto the crooked as was the plan. we caught a lot of walleye on fourtown battling the whitecaps and wind all week and ate like kings.
This year however we decided to go in a week after opener and its Crooked Lake or Bust! I was able to nab a permit for EP 23 on May 20th for our group of yearly gents from the BRD lakes area.
I was also able to grab an entry point permit for EP 64 East Bearskin 8/12. I've never been that far east.
I also nabbed a permit for ol' tried and true EP 16 Moose river north on Sep 14, I finally talked a few coworkers into the trip after seeing years of pictures and stories from Agnes and Lac LaCroix.
From permit reservation day till put in, the excitement I get from the preparation and planning is almost as fun as the actual trip.

pastorjsackett: "June 3 on Mudro, going to Crooked. Love that trip.


Made a September plan for a church trip out of Lake One, hoping to roll down N. Kawishiwi River.


Our church is planning some fun stuff around canoeing and adventure.


"

I put together the trips for our church as well. 15 years ago we did the route you are looking at. . . Lake one to Kawishiwi River. Really nice and easy portages.

The reason we remember this trip is that we set up camp on a peninsula with guys setting up their hammocks around the camp. We kept noticing canoes coming by the peninsula, stopping, taking pictures, pointing and laughing. I went to the other side of the camp to check it out. One of the guys had brought one of those Coleman picnic tables that fold up. He had set it up on a cliff, with a UT Volunteers upbrella in the middle of it. It looked like a lemonade stand. I'd like to say he has got better on bringing ridiculous stuff over the 15 years he has been coming, but he hasnt!

That's hilarious! We are doing a old man trip and one of the guys has never been up and another has pretty bad foot issues so we decided on N Kawishiwi. I've been wanting to do that trip and see that part of the river for a few years. Should be fun.

pastorjsackett: "That's hilarious! We are doing a old man trip and one of the guys has never been up and another has pretty bad foot issues so we decided on N Kawishiwi. I've been wanting to do that trip and see that part of the river for a few years. Should be fun."

That entry portage can get a bit long, but it's not bad at all. And, the roller portage between Ojibway and Triangle Lakes is cool to see.

Got my three.....Homer, Brandt, and Slim.

ockycamper: "Just out of curiosity. . . .are those pulling permits at multiple entry points really doing separate trips to each entry point and different dates? Or is this pulling multiple permits, then deciding, and turning the rest back in?"

My four permits are separate and distinct trips and I intend to go on all four of them plus one in October.

YetiJedi: "

ockycamper: "Just out of curiosity. . . .are those pulling permits at multiple entry points really doing separate trips to each entry point and different dates? Or is this pulling multiple permits, then deciding, and turning the rest back in?"

My four permits are separate and distinct trips and I intend to go on all four of them plus one in October."

Would love to make that many trips. Last year I saw a lot of permits pulled by the same individuals who were pulling different permits to lock in a route, then deciding on which one to take, turning the rest back in.

Got my mid-August Mudro by 9:04. So happy, because we missed it last year.

ockycamper: "

YetiJedi: "

ockycamper: "Just out of curiosity. . . .are those pulling permits at multiple entry points really doing separate trips to each entry point and different dates? Or is this pulling multiple permits, then deciding, and turning the rest back in?"

My four permits are separate and distinct trips and I intend to go on all four of them plus one in October."

Would love to make that many trips. Last year I saw a lot of permits pulled by the same individuals who were pulling different permits to lock in a route, then deciding on which one to take, turning the rest back in."

Well, Ocky, that's too bad that is occurring. I'm not sure I would know how to tell if it happens or not but I wish it didn't. It looks like your outfitter got you the permits you wanted this year, so hopefully your trips go well for you.

Looking forward to this coming trip (September) as I had to pull out of last September's trip for the first time in 15 years due to health issues. So far it looks like we will be bringing up 20 men this fall. (we split into 3 groups). It all starts with Walleye dinner at Trail Center Lodge so we can tell our wives we ate walleye.

ockycamper: "It all starts with Walleye dinner at Trail Center Lodge so we can tell our wives we ate walleye."

Too funny! That's what I'm doing wrong when I go without a fish fry on my trips!!!

YetiJedi: "

ockycamper: "Just out of curiosity. . . .are those pulling permits at multiple entry points really doing separate trips to each entry point and different dates? Or is this pulling multiple permits, then deciding, and turning the rest back in?"

My four permits are separate and distinct trips and I intend to go on all four of them plus one in October."

Same here...3 different trips

I was able to get all but one of my first choices. The June entry had to be pushed back a day.

It will not really shorten the trip, just changes some coordination with other events.

YetiJedi: "

ockycamper: "

YetiJedi: "

ockycamper: "Just out of curiosity. . . .are those pulling permits at multiple entry points really doing separate trips to each entry point and different dates? Or is this pulling multiple permits, then deciding, and turning the rest back in?"

My four permits are separate and distinct trips and I intend to go on all four of them plus one in October."

Would love to make that many trips. Last year I saw a lot of permits pulled by the same individuals who were pulling different permits to lock in a route, then deciding on which one to take, turning the rest back in."

Well, Ocky, that's too bad that is occurring. I'm not sure I would know how to tell if it happens or not but I wish it didn't. It looks like your outfitter got you the permits you wanted this year, so hopefully your trips go well for you."

Ocky, where do you see this information tied to names? just curious how its accessed unless you work for the forest service. And to answer your question, I have never let a permit go unused or canceled. happy paddling!

Tony: "Got my permit in 6 minutes only cuz i bought two permits. Going to clear water may 17. Its a good thing I was on right a way because the the next ten days were gone in the next two minutes. My other permit is for fall lake on June 21. I'm happy.


tony"

got 2 permits, May 15th Brower Trout to South Kishiwi.

Managed to get this summer's wish list. While you do need your ducks in a row to get some entries, I do enjoy having trips to look forward to each January.

June - Little Gabbro (bringing four first timers in!)
July - Snowbank
August - Sawbill (annual guys trip)
October - TBD

Bring on the paddling season!

tony" got 2 permits, May 15th Brower Trout to South Kishiwi."

Seems like we keep messing each other on our trips in May. I haven't been to either of those entry points you'll have to tell me what they're like

Tony