Frequently asked questions about the BWCAW, Quetico, entry permits, fishing, Tuscarora and more –
- What are your hours?
- What if we are going to arrive after hours?
- How many people are in the bunkhouses?
- Do you charge for parking?
- Can we rent a cabin the night before we go on a canoe trip?
- Do you have permits available at Tuscarora?
- Do we have to watch the video?
- Is my team required to enter the BWCA or Quetico Park on the date and at the entry point specified on our permit?
- Can our groups travel together?
- Do you sell fishing licenses?
- What kinds of fish are in the lakes around you?
- What kind of bait/tackle should I bring?
- Do you sell live bait?
- How far is a rod?
- Can we get meals in your dining room?
- I’m planning to travel to Quetico. What is an I-68?
1. What are your hours?
The canoe season starts May 1st and runs through mid-October. Our office is open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily including Sundays and holidays during the summer. The dining hall is open Fishing Opener date until mid September for breakfast. Advance meal reservations are requested. Tuscarora cabins are available for rent in the winter as well.
2. What if we are going to arrive after hours?
Often our guests arrive late at night. This is no problem, as long as we know that you are coming. We leave signs out and lights on in your bunkhouse or cabin, we just ask that you come in quietly as a courtesy to anyone sleeping nearby.
3. How many people are in the bunkhouses?
Your group will have a private bunkhouse. If you have more than 9 people, or if you need more than one bunkhouse, we can usually accommodate you.
4. Do you charge for parking?
Vehicle parking is complimentary for our outfitting guests. Non-outfitting guests are welcome to ask about parking availability ($5.00/day/vehicle).
5. Can we rent a cabin the night before we go on a canoe trip?
We have private bunkhouses available for the night before your trip. Our cabins are typically booked from Sat-Sat during the summer months. We do require a 3 night minimum for cabin stays. Please inquire regarding availability.
6. Do you have permits available at Tuscarora?
Yes, we are a Forest Service issuing station. We will gladly reserve permits for our outfitting guests. If you choose to reserve your own permit from www.recreation.gov, please list Tuscarora as your issuing station, and your permit will be sent directly to us.
7. Do we have to watch the video?
As a certified U.S. Forest Service Cooperator, we have a commitment to providing education along with the permit. All members of your party are required to watch the video and participate in a brief orientation before entering the BWCA. You can be assured that the others that you encounter will have been given the same information that you have.
8. Is my team required to enter the BWCAW or Quetico Park on the date and at the entry point specified on our permit?
Yes you are. There are limits to the quantity of permits for each specified entry point.
9. Can our groups travel together?
Forest Service regulations allow a maximum of nine people in any one place in the BWCA: on portages, campsites, or in the water. Larger groups often find it easier to take entirely different routes; often choosing the same route in reverse.
10. Do you sell fishing licenses?
We do not sell fishing licenses in our office. Plan to purchase yours MN fishing license online before arrival. Please see our fishing page for more information.
11. What kinds of fish are in the lakes around you?
Depending upon which lakes you choose to visit, you can find smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and northern pike. Although there are other species available (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html), most people fish predominately for these types of fish.
12. What kind of bait/tackle should I bring?
For fishing tackle, you can keep it pretty basic; a medium action rod and reel with 8-10 lb test line will be adequate.
We have a full line of fishing tackle available in our Trading Post.
Small mouth bass will bite on top water spinning bait (i.e. Mister Twister), plugs and live bait.
Walleyes will hit on sinking Rapalas, crank baits, and live bait (crawlers and leeches on floating jig heads).
Pike bite on most anything, but save your hardware for these sharped-tooth predators. We recommend Daredevils, heavy spoons, Mepps and sinking hardware with steel leaders. You should include a needle nosed pliers in your base tackle for pike.
Lake Trout are typically caught with shiny spoons tipped with minnows and weighted down with torpedo sinkers for trolling. Sinking Rapalas can also work for lake trout.
13. Do you sell live bait?
We sell leeches by the dozen at Tuscarora. In the late summer, it is best to call for availability of leeches. If your party wants more than 4 dozen of any type of live bait, it is best to pick it up in Grand Marais at the Holiday Store or Buck’s Hardware. We can put your bait in the cooler over night so that it will be fresh in the morning.
14. How far is a rod?
16.5 feet. There are approximately 320 rods in a mile. A portage mile feels different from any other mile traveled, so you will find yourself getting the “feel” for what a 50 rod portage is like.
15. Can we get meals in your dining room?
We serve breakfast with advanced reservation in our dining room promptly at 7am. Picnics are available for large groups upon request. We are not open for evening meals, but can recommend some restaurant choices near our resort.
16. I’m Planning to travel to Quetico. What is I-68?
Download our PDF I68 Information sheet for for a full explanation.
