what is this lottery deal? is this the only chance/way to get BWCA permits?

No it's not the only way.

However, It is the best way to get a date and entry point if you know when and where you want to go this early.

Many popular entry point permits will be completely given out through the lottery if the dates are between Memorial Day and Labor day. If you want to go in say EP 16 Moose River North the day before Memorial Day or over July 4th weekend you better enter the lottery-chances are they will all get eaten up through the process.

If you can't enter the lottery because you do not yet know when you can go don't worry-there usually are permits avaialble for some EP's after the lottery-although the popular EP's may be gone. If you can enter the BWCAW early to mid week or go into a less popular EP-one with a long portage shortly after entering-then you will find some availability. You just have to be a bit more flexible with entry dates and entry points, but you should find something.

What happens is once the lottery is done, all the remaining permits are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. I believe this begins January 20th and goes through the end of the season, September 30.

The list of available permits will be posted online or you can call on the phone or check with an outfitter. You can see what is available by either date or entry point. So, for example, you can look to see what entry points are available on June 20th, or see what dates are available for the Sawbill Entry point.

Back about 15 years ago I think relatively few folks made a reservation. They'd just drive up to the ranger station and ask what was availilble for either today or tomorrow and then choose one. Now-a-days popularity of the BW makes that method less desirable.

However many people, including me, don't do the lottery and wait for later. It is just too hard for my group to get vacations firmed up with employers this early in the year. Still, we try to reserve a permit a couple of months in advance.

Last year Jim/WI and I decided to do a trip less than 2 weeks before it was to happen. We wanted Sawbill entry but none were available for the date we wanted, but there was a Baker Lake permit (one entry point east). Great trip.

So don't worry too much, but you may need some flexibility.