Looking for any and all advice regarding the who, what, when, where, and why of a dogsledding trip into the bwca? Also interested in fishing opportunities. Please help and thanks in advance.

I hear the folks at Wintergreen (on White Iron) are good people.

I've had fun (and caught fish) when using Basswood Bob's North Country Guide Service.

All depends on what kind of experience your looking for. Wintergreen provides a good service if your interested in a trip that is easy. They do not do any fishing and their dogs are slooooow. There is a list of mushers on www.ely.org. If you are looking for a lake trout trip/camping they hands down contact Kelly Murphy. Basswood Bob is good, but much less experienced. Day trips are a bit different...lots of opportunities and options.

I will have three guys total and we are looking for a somewhat intense 4-5 day trip. I have looked into Wintergreen and requested more info.
We are looking to be as active as possible - and by that I mean we would like to be trained (seems posssible, we are all new to dogsledding) to run our own small teams while outfitters run theirs alongside of us. Would also like to move from camp to camp within the bwca (I think I am seeing "yerts" of "hot tents" as options). These two things are the biggest priorities.
A nice side benefit would be some good ice-fishing, but is not as necessary as pure travel behind our own sleds. Two of us have been on one winter-camping trip in the bwca, one has never done the winter thing.
Before the trip I will send a prayer to the Gods asking for Northern Lights and wolf howls - any ideas on when to ask for these?!! I am understanding that wolves are most active (as breeding) during January??
Sorry so vague on first message, thanks again.

This is the man to see. Bill Slaughter

I have used Wintergreen as well as another Ely musher. Wintergreen is outstanding. You will learn to drive your own sled and the lodge and food is outstanding. I really have liked both Wintergreen trips I was on and they did a great job with my young son. First class operation from top to bottom but you do pay for it.

Who ever you pick you will have fun! It is a great experience to get out there in the winter.

Just returned from a trip up to the Arrowhead Trail north of Grand Marais where we used Black Magic Kennels for a dogsled experience. Had a great time with Mark and Mary Black. Mark won the Beargrease with his team a few years ago. I'm not sure they would do a trip since they seem to be mainly training dogs for racing, but they provide a variety of adventures for someone who wants to spend a day or weekend learning about dogsledding.