The few times I have taken an overnight trip I've paddled , but my father-in-law wants to plan an overnight motor trip for the summer of 2018. He seems to be leaning towards Moose Lake which will require us to enter the lottery. I realize the lottery for next year is a long ways off, but wanted to know how it works. When we apply for the permit, do we enter specific entry dates or do we just apply for the entry point and if we get picked they give us any entry date they want?

I think ya got a better chance at that 450 mil the other night. Those permits are like gold. Don't know when your looking for but I think ya might have a better chance with the fall into basswood. Not sure but option.
No, you have to pick an entry date. They run from Sat to sat.
If you want to go out on tue. It's still THE SAT QUOTA the computer draws from.
There are a lot of variables they don't print....
They also say the outfitters get most of the permits. They are vieing for the same permits that anyone else is. They just have more names in the lottery.....
It's tough, I'm still trying to figure out all the ins and outs and been doing it for years.....

I'll tell ya. I like fishing the Jack fish and pipestone side compared to the prairie portage back and wind bay side.

I have to fish the prairie side with the boat tow cause I can't do the fall lake side by my self...
All I can say is put in for the permit, if you get one you can stand out on the edge of the rocks and tell at the top of your lungs..... I STRUCK GOLD.

I had heard it was a tough permit to get but didn't realize it was that tough. Time to start trying to steer him another direction. Thanks for the info!