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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: They are filling up quick!
 
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AJ2008
01/28/2015 11:03AM
 
Holy smokes! I had some dates in mind for some less popular EP's and there are already 3 permits taken since this morning for that area, WOW! Just out of curiosity, for those of you that Spring trip, do you wait until the last possible minute (ice out) before reserving permits. This will be my first Spring (and solo) trip and I would like to avoid having my boat be an icebreaker. As always, thanks for all the great info everyone!
 
BobberRob
01/28/2015 11:36AM
 
I'm taking my first spring trip this year. I went ahead and reserved the EP for the dates I wanted. If it is a late ice out, I'll have a contingency plan. I'd rather have the permit and not be able to use it than be stuck in the office while others grabbed the permits before me!
 
housty9
01/28/2015 12:19PM
 
I order early and if I have to move back, it only cost you 6 bucks to cancel, sometimes I will get 2 and cancel 1.
 
PortageKeeper
01/28/2015 01:43PM
 
I believe that I have reserved only one time out of fifty, and I usually always get my permit. That being said, there are probably more permits being sought these days.
 
Pinetree
02/02/2015 01:55PM
 
quote butthead: "Always have been flexible in dates, preferring to get a permit then plan around it. That avoids the "sky is falling" feeling. Never had a problem getting May dates (may have been more flexible on EP location).
Now that I have the time I just get what's available when I'm up in the area."




That is just about what I do. Build a lot of flexibility in my schedule and even look at weather forcasts before going. That is one good thing about retirement and going solo or with one other person. No big group planning.
 
luft
01/31/2015 07:52PM
 
I pulled my permit early last year and it was touch and go as to whether the ice would be out on Moose Lake by my date. About a week or so before I ending up pulling a second permit for 5 days later just to cover myself. It was close but I was able to use my first permit and canceling the second.


This year I have pulled one permit for May because the EP I was looking at was already out of permits for the day I wanted so I pulled one for the day before. The rest of my trips are more open to spontaneity so I will wait to see what is open when I am closer to knowing when I can go.
 
HighnDry
01/29/2015 05:33PM
 
quote AJ2008: "Holy smokes! I had some dates in mind for some less popular EP's and there are already 3 permits taken since this morning for that area, WOW! Just out of curiosity, for those of you that Spring trip, do you wait until the last possible minute (ice out) before reserving permits. This will be my first Spring (and solo) trip and I would like to avoid having my boat be an icebreaker. As always, thanks for all the great info everyone!"


I have usually done it only a week or so prior and then take whatever EP I can get and paddle north! But then again, that's a risky strategy and not for everyone. Reserving in advance is far more prudent and you can adjust for a small fee according to ice out conditions. Just my two cents.
 
Pinetree
01/29/2015 05:51PM
 
Usually after fish opener you have a lag or time period when permits are readily available,except for a couple of areas with only a couple of permits daily.
 
wetcanoedog
01/30/2015 01:23AM
 
i jumped on it today because this post made it sound like a land rush but for what and when i wanted it was wide open.
anyone every try to get a Q permit in the early 90's when you had to call it in on the first day or loose out?
i hit the redial for hours getting messages that the call was going thru Quebec because all the rest of the lines to Ontario were jammed.

 
nctry
01/30/2015 07:10AM
 
A person wonders sometimes how many of those permits reserved are just contingency plans and will be cancelled down the road.


better get on it I guess.
 
housty9
01/30/2015 08:04AM
 
The way this winters going I don't think will have to worry about late ice out, but things could change.
 
butthead
02/02/2015 12:00PM
 
Always have been flexible in dates, preferring to get a permit then plan around it. That avoids the "sky is falling" feeling. Never had a problem getting May dates (may have been more flexible on EP location).
Now that I have the time I just get what's available when I'm up in the area.