A warning to those expecting to pick up a permit at Beaverhouse ranger station - it was not staffed last Saturday and doesn’t appear to have been at all this year. My own and another group made this mistake on that day. Others had left their reservations under a rock as a sort of calling card to show that they had been there.

I talked to the Atikokan Station two days ago and they told me Beaverhouse is staffed now and open at 8am. I have had two out of fours trips were we had trouble with wind on Beaverhouse and that was being on the water by 7am. Bad ju ju so I'd rather plan to pick up my permit the day before by 4:15pm in Atikokan or drive down to Dawson trial which is open till 7:30pm. That way I can cut through Cirrus and avoid the open expanse of Beaverhouse if needed.

I would still call to confirm but that is what I was told.

Good to know. I'm going in there next week. Thanks for the update

I’ve had both good luck and bad luck getting to the ranger station with the weather. We once were unable to paddle across the lake due to the swells/wind and we never picked up our permit, instead we veered into Cirrus.

Also know that you can pick up your permit at any ranger station for any entry. If you are going into Beaverhouse on a windy day just pick it up in Atikokan or if coming from the east, French Lake.

French Lake usually has several staff behind the counter and waiting for others in front of you to finish the process is not an issue. The last time I picked up my permit at French Lake, there were four young ladies there that got me back on the road in no time.
Tom