I am planning a trip into Pagami Lake, off Lake One. I've been told
that this area was at one time a Wilderness Maintenance Area, and that
if it still is I may need a second permit besides my entry permit.
If anybody knows anything about this and could advise me I'd appreciate it.
Thanks for your help,
R Heinzer

If you are just "passing through" then you do not need an additional permit.
The Pagami lake area is in a "PMA" or Primitive Management Area.
Region 6 Weasel Lake PMA.

To camp in a PMA You must obtain a permit at the ranger station. They are free but they only allow one permit per PMA per night/day.
They don't "officially" take reservations for PMA but you may contact the ranger station in Ely and let then know you want it so they may "set it aside" for you. We didn't have any trouble reserving them. You pick them up when you pick up your permit... there's a few additional rules they go over but it's painless.

My party went through there last year. From Lake One to Pagami is a breeze then from Pagami to Clearwater get's a little hairy, not too bad (As far as PMA travel is concerned)

Hex

Hexnymph has it right. PMA camping is easy to secure the permit, the portaging, paddling and the bushwacking to get there can be the tough part. For Pagami Lake and the Weasel Lake PMA you need to call the Kawashiwi Ranger district office in Ely. This area is still in the PMA. There are actually a couple zones to the Region 6 Weasel Lake PMA-make sure you get the zone with Pagami Lake. The other zone contains Rock Island Lake and also is a great area to go through on the way to Clearwater.

As soon as you have your entry permit reserved for Lake One, or whichever entry you are using, then call the district office. They have a three ring binder they can "set aside" the PMA permit for you for one or more days assuming no one else has it "set aside" for them yet. I also have had no problem getting a PMA designation "set aside" by calling. You need the entry permit reservation before you can take this step.

The only problem you may run into with Pagami Creek is if water levels are low. There usually are beaver dams on the way to Pagami Lake from numbered lakes and then some lining and bushwacking on the way from Pagami to Clearwater. The route to Pagami from numbered is definitely easier-both are about a 2 mile paddle and bushwack. There is very little current and what is there you are going against.

Enjoy and have a nice quiet night or two on Pagami Lake

I should add one thing.

In order to get your PMA designation on your permit you need to pick up the permit at the correct district office-not at an outfitter or an office that does not manage that PMA.

I have been told outfitters can not write PMA designations on permits. Can an outfitter (Lynn-VNO?) confirm this please?

When you pick up your permit make sure to tell them you have the PMA reserved. They will pull out the binder, confirm you have the reservation and write the designation on the permit for the day(s) you have set aside. At that time they will review the special rules for the PMA.

As you probably know there are no "official" campsites and you can camp where ever you want. Pagami Lake has some places that usuaully get used as sites as to most lakes in PMA's. Because there is no official site they have no fire grates or fire rings and they have no latrine. Make sure you bring your shovel to dig a hole when you go like in Quetico and a grate to place on rocks if you cook over wood. When you leave the site you are to return the site to its original condition-do not leave a fire ring or kitchen set up. Make sure your latrine is covered and duff placed over its top so it is not seen etc. Clean up any remaining coals or marks on rocks from your fire.

Hope all of this helps you and enjoy your trip.

You are right, an outfitter can not issue a PMA permit. But you can ask the Ranger Station to drop it off at our place (its been done before) so you can pick it up at times when the station is not open (like between 5 am and 7 am and between 7 pm and 10 pm)

Thanks Lynn-that is good to know. I might have to use that service as I have always wanted to get the early start and waiting for the ranger office to open in the morning or getting up to Ely early enough the night before was always tough.

Looking forward to seeing you at canoecopia.