Ely MN

[RichA$1970]

Wondering if anyone can recommend a resort in Ely for the May opener. Would need to rent a small boat with an outboard. Really not needing a fancy resort, just a bed n shower will work.

[Mojo1269]

I can get you to a lake (Shagawa) that has resorts on it. Good population of Walleye and Bronze backs. Worth fishing....

[UKBDM]

https://www.latourells.com/

Great people and beautiful up there!

[RichA$1970]

Originally Posted by UKBDM

https://www.latourells.com/

Great people and beautiful up there!

. How far and can you get to Basswood Lake from Latourell’s? Thanks

[Ltrain]

Never fished up there but always wanted to. Do the may flies hit it hard up there later in the year? Looking for a summer spot maybe next year but i will try to avoid a heavy hatch if I can.

[UKBDM]

Originally Posted by RichA$1970

. How far and can you get to Basswood Lake from Latourell’s? Thanks

Sorry for delayed reply.

Yes ... Latourells (last time I was there) ran and maintained a carryover into Basswood. Basically a truck pulling a trailer that carried your boat across a short portage. 50 yards.

Here might be your deal breaker ... 25hp limit on Moose and maybe on Basswood. Can't remember.

Went back and read your OP. They have rental boats and I think its only a 20-30 min run up there.

[seaotter]

A bit off the subject of lodging. If you do go to the Eley area do not miss a tour of the iron mine. We drove a ways from another area to do that on a day we were not fishing on Sand Lake.
Have a great day.
Jim

[wh500special]

Latourell's is a great place and they are great people.

I'd be surprised if they have any openings since they generally have guests who come back the same week year after year, but it's worth checking.

The BWCA is permit-access only, and the day use motor access permit reservation process has already come and gone. It's possible that you'll be able to tag along on somebody else's permit as Bob (Latourell) tries to match up permit holders with those who are without, but it's not a guarantee and would be based on how lucky individual guests were when they reserved their own permits when they were made available by the gov't.

Portions of Moose require no permits for general access. I think all of Moose Lake is open for motor access w/o a permit (I think) if you're booked at one of the resorts on that lake, but anything further than than Moose (Newfound, Sucker, Basswood...) requires a permit.

This isn't unique to Latourell's. The BWCA is pretty locked down, especially if you want to access the few lakes were motors are allowed (Moose, Newfound, Sucker, Basswood, Snowbank) or want to stay out overnight. I believe day use canoe permits are basically free for the taking on a daily basis.

The spring fishing is phenomenal, so it's worth a call but be advised that access is very limited.

Steve