I would like you opinions on who you think is the best outfitter in Ely and why.

Planning a late May/early June trip to the BWCA (possibly solo).

Trip criteria in order of importance (subject to change): 1. Base camp with minimal or no portages. 2. Quality of fishing (fish of choice: walleye). 3. Scenery. 4. Solitude.

Advice, opinions and suggestion most welcome.

My opinion and experience for the best Outfitter in Ely is Voyageur North with John and Lynn. I have worked with them for gear rental, permit pick-ups, and route suggestions numerous times in past years with my family, my Church guys, and my canoe buddy and me.

Very knowledgeable. Very helpful. Very accommodating. Fair prices.

You'll get a lot of varying opinions on this and I theorize that unless one got poor treatment, they probably will swear by the first outfitter they used for the most part. Location could have an impact for some of course. That disclaimer stated....

I swear by Canoe Country Outfitters. A long time family business, they have always provided me with very good service, from my first trip 10 years ago that was "full outfitting" through this year, where I finally bought a used canoe from them. I like their facilities - a base in Ely and a Moose Lake base where I park and sometimes camp for first night. They have inexpensive rooms at their Ely base for that last night before trip home. They all trek themselves and have been a great source of tips and tricks. I think they are in the middle as far as price. I couldn't be more pleased.

Let the other testimonials begin.

Just a point of reference......I hope you are not depending on the best outfitter to guarantee your 4 points are met. I think more of that will depend on your research and legwork to find THAT place. An outfitter can help some with advice. The weather will also play more of a role than the outfitter. You can probably get more advice in here on reaching your 4 points. I have used CCO many times also with nothing but praise, but I don't think they had all that much to do with the success of my trip. (I self outfit though and mostly just use them for a room and some route advice.)

Thanks, wood, bill and cow.

Canoe Country 2, Voyageours North 1

The first question you need to determine where you are going and oick an outfitter close or that has resonable shuttle costs.


I used Canadian Border Outfitters when we when to Quetico last year. We used them because we had a Prairie Portage Entry and they are based on Moose Lake. They did an outstanding job.

Next year we will be going through Lac La Croix and selected Voyager North Outfitters, I have already booked and coordinated my trip and my experience with them thus far has been excellent.

Cowdoc had very valid points. Contact several, let them pitch an idea of routes and the associated costs.

Your 4 points are probably mutually exclusive. You could get good fishing with minimal portages and basecamp (think Basswood L), but you will not get solitude there. It's all a matter of tradeoffs. Do your own research. There are many good outfitters in Ely (the others are no longer in business), but, as others have indicated, your expectations will be more realistic if you put your 'skin' in the planning.

Thanks old salt. Solitude is my least important criteria. Come to think of it, as it would be my first solo trip, it might not be a bad idea to have some people around in case of trouble,

Basswood Lake sounds interesting. What can you me about it in terms of base camp possibilities w/out portaging? How is the walleye fishing there?

quote NDpaddler: "I would like you opinions on who you think is the best outfitter in Ely and why.

Planning a late May/early June trip to the BWCA (possibly solo).

Trip criteria in order of importance (subject to change): 1. Base camp with minimal or no portages. 2. Quality of fishing (fish of choice: walleye). 3. Scenery. 4. Solitude.

Advice, opinions and suggestion most welcome."

I've only tripped out of Ely, but Voyageur North has been excellent to work with on all five trips.

As for your criteria:
1. The numbered Lakes (enter at EP30, Lake One) offer a lot of coverage for only a couple of portages.
2. No idea.
3. Numbered Lakes fill that bill, too.
4. Your idea of wanting to have some people around "just in case" mirrors my own. I've done three solo trips in the BW and I've always found it reassuring to know I'm not totally alone in case I get into trouble.

We have used a number of outfitters over the years, and Jordan's Outfitters is our favorite. Reasons:
1. Top notch equipment at reasonable rates.
2. They only outfit 1 party per day, you get thier full attention.
3. Great service, good people.

Kinda like asking which color M&M tastes the best?

CLEARLY the red ones! ;-)

Seriously though. Perhaps you would be better served by coming at the question from another angle.

"Which outfitters would people NOT do business with again & why?"

TB

Basswood is big water and prone to wind. I would camp anywhere from Washington Is north to US Point. Fish the reefs and structure for waldos & bass.

quote fishguts: "We have used a number of outfitters over the years, and Jordan's Outfitters is our favorite. Reasons:
1. Top notch equipment at reasonable rates.
2. They only outfit 1 party per day, you get thier full attention.
3. Great service, good people.
"

I agree .. I also like the fact that jordans is out of town a tiny ways so you can kick back next to a campfire and relax the night before..

I have used both Voyageur North and Piragis - both were good. There are differences in the canoes and equipment they rent, so one may be better than the other for what you need this time. Voyageur North has a bunkhouse, Piragis does not. I'd compare their equipment and services, as well as others, online and go from there. There are probably no bad outfitters in business there.

My favorite is Piragis for information. Talk to Bert Heep. The bunkhouse at Voyager North is a really good deal. I like the people at both places and at Spirit of the Wilderness. Those are the places I've done business with. I've never rented anything but a Spot Locator device, which was at VNO, and I bought canoes from Piragis.

Those three are the only outfitters I've done business with, but they're all good.

You can talk to people at any of the places and get good information without renting from them. E-mail or call them and tell them what you're looking for.

quote NDpaddler: "I would like you opinions on who you think is the best outfitter in Ely and why.

Planning a late May/early June trip to the BWCA (possibly solo).

Trip criteria in order of importance (subject to change): 1. Base camp with minimal or no portages. 2. Quality of fishing (fish of choice: walleye). 3. Scenery. 4. Solitude.

Advice, opinions and suggestion most welcome."

I have used Latourell's on Moose Lake for many years. They are wonderful and when doing any route in that area I will continue to use them. They are very friendly, inexpensive, have great towing service, have lodging if there is a need, have a great shop, and will take care of any details you need help with. They are very willing to offer any advice you might need. I really enjoy their family-run business.

I think it's a very competitive industry and frankly all three outfitters I've used in the Ely area have been very good.

I'd ask that you use one of the outfitters that supports this website however.

Thanks -

In Ely I have used Voyager North and Canadian Waters....Both Super.

I swear by Canoe Country Outfitters. A long time family business, they have always provided me with very good service, from my first trip 10 years ago that was "full outfitting" through this year, where I finally bought a used canoe from them. I like their facilities - a base in Ely and a Moose Lake base where I park and sometimes camp for first night. They have inexpensive rooms at their Ely base for that last night before trip home. They all trek themselves and have been a great source of tips and tricks. I think they are in the middle as far as price. I couldn't be more pleased.


Let the other testimonials begin."

I agree on CCO, but ive never used anyone else. Great service from my first Ely visit and every year since!

I have not had a bad outfitter in Ely. I would like to suggest LaTourells, good people and nice bunkhouses. Tow to Ensign was also cheap. Nice canoes.

I forgot to mention in the 'guest post' above that we also used CBO-Canadian Border Outfitters on Moose Lake this past year. Carl and Lori were super as was all the help there.

I would find an outfitter near my EP, not a "preferred" outfitter for all trips. If I were going in on Seagull, I would NOT want an outfitter off the Echo Trail. Find a decent one near your EP. An outfitter can help you meet your 4 criteria, but only YOU can make them all happen :)

Voyageur North with John & Lynn. Actually everyone that works for them too! All super nice people, very willing to help and offer advice! Free pop or beer when ya get back from your trip, and last time we even got cookies. We have stayed in the bunkhouses, which makes heading out early a bit easier. They treat you like family;)

quote luv2pack: "Voyageur North with John & Lynn. Actually everyone that works for them too! All super nice people, very willing to help and offer advice! Free pop or beer when ya get back from your trip, and last time we even got cookies. We have stayed in the bunkhouses, which makes heading out early a bit easier. They treat you like family;) "

Ditto on the bunkhouse. Makes it LOT easier plus very reasonable cost. I never got free pop or beer though.

No free pop or beer?????
Kevin must have drank it before you got there!!!!! :)

I'd have to cast another vote for Piragis. They have been outstanding each time I have dealt with them. I tend to do a lot of research on the web as I plan a trip, and Bert, Drew and Steve have NEVER minded tons of questions about the potential routes we're considering. They have opinions too, which I appreciate. Their service and equipment is top notch, especially the ultralight Wenohnah paddles they supply with their rental canoes. I also have never felt that they are trying to get me to rent things I don't need, etc.

I wanted to throw out a route suggestion for you, based on your original 4 requirements. Moose River North, through Agnes Lake to Tiger Bay of Lac LaCroix. Easy/few portages, because much of the way in is river. Good fishing, a fair level of solitude, when you consider the ease of the portaging -- nothing really long or especially steep. There's a lot to see on day trips once you get there too, Warrior Hill, pictographs, Curtain Falls, Rebecca Falls.