Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) - Entry Points
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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has specified entry points for entry by watercraft or hiking. The entry points surround the
1,000,000+ acres of land which makes up the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Certainly BWCA entry points allow motor boat entry, but
most are designated for non-motor access and require a portage of watercraft and gear from the parking area to the landing. Permits are required
to enter the BWCA and are overnight permits reserved for a specific entry day and entry point. Overnight camping and day use motor permits
are restricted by entry point to only so many reservations per calendar day. This reduces impact to the environment and attempts to manage the availability
camp sites and privacy in the Boundary Waters.
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Click on the Boundary Waters entry point name below to view details
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Entry Name
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Entry #
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Permits Per Day
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Nearest FS Office
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Miles to Office
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Overnight Paddle Only
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Crab Lake and Cummings from Burntside Lake
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4
|
3
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Ely
|
23
|
|
Slim Lake
|
6
|
2
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Ely
|
23
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Big Lake
|
7
|
2
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Ely
|
28
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Moose River (south)
|
8
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1 permit every other day
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Ely
|
39
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Little Indian Sioux River (south)
|
9
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1 permit every other day
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Ely
|
44
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Little Indian Sioux River (north)
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14
|
6
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Ely
|
32
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Moose/Portage River (north)
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16
|
5
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Ely
|
27
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Stuart River
|
19
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1
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Ely
|
28
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Angleworm Lake
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20
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2
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Ely
|
18
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Mudro Lake (restricted--no camping on Horse Lake)
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22
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2
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Ely
|
19
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Mudro Lake
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23
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5
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Ely
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19
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Wood Lake
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26
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2
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Ely
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13
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Snowbank Lake Only
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28
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1
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Ely
|
24
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North Kawishiwi River
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29
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1
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Ely
|
15
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Lake One
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30
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13
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Ely
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21
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South Kawishiwi River
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32
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2
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Ely
|
21
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Little Gabbro Lake
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33
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1.5
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Ely
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23
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Island River
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34
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2
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Grand Marais
|
19
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Isabella Lake
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35
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2
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Isabella
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21
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Hog Creek
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36
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4
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Isabella; Tofte
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30
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Kawishiwi Lake
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37
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7
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Isabella; Tofte
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33
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Sawbill Lake
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38
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11
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Tofte
|
25
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Baker Lake
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39
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2
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Tofte
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26
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Homer Lake
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40
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2
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Tofte
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33
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Brule Lake
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41
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7
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Tofte
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35
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Bower Trout Lake
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43
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1
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Grand Marais
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25
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Ram Lake
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44
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1
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Grand Marais
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26
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Morgan Lake
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45
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1
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Grand Marais
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26
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Lizz and Swamp Lakes
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47
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3
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Grand Marais
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34
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Meeds Lake
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48
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2
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Grand Marais
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28
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Skipper and Portage Lakes
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49
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2
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Grand Marais
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28
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Cross Bay Lake
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50
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3
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Grand Marais
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45
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Missing Link Lake
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51
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5
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Grand Marais
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45
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Brant Lake
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52
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4
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Grand Marais
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45
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Seagull Lake Only
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54A
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0 (No permits)
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Grand Marais
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50
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Saganaga Lake Only
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55A
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0 (No permits)
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Grand Marais
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55
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Magnetic Lake
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57
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3
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Grand Marais
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47
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South Lake
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58
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2
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Grand Marais
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47
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Duncan Lake
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60
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2
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Grand Marais
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30
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Daniels Lake
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61
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1
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Grand Marais
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33
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Crocodile River
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66
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1
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Grand Marais
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26
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Bog Lake
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67
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1
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Isabella
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28
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Pine Lake
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68
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1
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Grand Marais
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60
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John Lake
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69
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1
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Grand Marais
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69
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North Fowl Lake
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70
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2
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Grand Marais
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60
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From CANADA
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71
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3
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All offices
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0
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Little Isabella River
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75
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1
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Isabella
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30
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South Hegman Lake
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77
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1.5 (varies by day)
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Ely
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16
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Larch Creek
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80
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1
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Grand Marais
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53
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Snake River
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84
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1
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Isabella
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30
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Overnight Paddle Or Motor
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Trout Lake
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1
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12
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Cook
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30
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Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake)
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12
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6
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Cook
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45
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Lac LaCroix Only
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12A
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6
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Cook
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45
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Fall Lake
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24
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14
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Ely
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7
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Moose Lake
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25
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27
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Ely
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21
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Snowbank Lake
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27
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8
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Ely
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24
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Farm Lake
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31
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3
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Ely
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7
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Seagull Lake
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54
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8
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Grand Marais
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50
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Saganaga Lake
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55
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15
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Grand Marais
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55
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Clearwater Lake
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62
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2
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Grand Marais
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33
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East Bearskin Lake
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64
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3
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Grand Marais
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26
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Day-use Motor
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Trout Lake
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A
|
2
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Cook
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30
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Fall Lake Only
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C
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Varies by week
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Ely
|
7
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Fall Lake and Beyond
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D
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Varies by week
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Ely
|
7
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Moose Lake Chain Only
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F
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Varies by week
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Ely
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7
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Moose Lake to Prairie Portage
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G
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Varies by week
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Ely
|
21
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Snowbank Lake
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H
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2
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Ely
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24
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South Farm Lake
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I
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2
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Ely
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7
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Saganaga Lake
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J
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2
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Grand Marais
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55
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Seagull Lake
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K
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2
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Grand Marais
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50
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Clearwater Lake
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L
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Varies by week
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Grand Marais
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33
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East Bearskin Lake
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M
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Varies by week
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Grand Marais
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33
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