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In This Issue
THE FISHING CORNER
ENOUGH ALREADY
AROUND THE BASE
IMPORTANT LINKS AND UPDATES
THE FISHING CORNER 
The Other Fish

While sometimes tough and uncomfortable to get out and fish in the winter, this time of the year gives us an opportunity to target some of the other fish in the area.

The State of Minnesota manages (stocks) many lakes (including a few inside the Boundary Waters) for trout fishing. The species, mainly brook trout, rainbow trout and splake (lake/brook hybrid), are a fun, hard fightin' change of pace, when the pike & walleyes aren't cooperating. For those willing to ski, snowshoe or hike in, most Boundary Waters trout lakes are reachable for a day of fishing. Otherwise, there are many easily accessed trout lakes outside the BW. The "stocked" trout fishing season also lasts through March while pike, bass and walleyes close near the end of February.  Boundary Waters rules apply when ice fishing inside the BW...that means hand augers only!

If you find yourself "up north" this winter, try some trout, for a change of pace.



Dave


We'd love to share your pictures through our newsletter...fishing or otherwise. Just e-mail in a small format.

Thanks!



Upcoming
Dates
and helpful links


Minnesota Fishing License Update!

At this point, we do not anticipate any changes to the Minnesota fishing regulations for 2014, so we will leave the current link posted. License pricing did change in 2013. Interestingly enough, while the cost of a non-resident license went up, the State of Minnesota now offers a non-resident license for youth (age 16 & 17) that entitles them their own limit and exempts them from a trout stamp, for just $6.
regs 2013
Follow this link for all the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and License pricing. We'll post 2014 regulations as soon as they become available but again, we're not anticipating any changes for 2014 that would affect the Boundary Waters.
 
Ontario Fishing Licenses

The Prairie Portage Ranger Station will continue to sell fishing licenses this year. In order to save time at the Ranger Station, we would still highly recommend buying your Ontario Fishing Licenses on-line. Follow the appropriate link to the right of this section.

We'll keep you posted of any regulation changes when and if they occur.


PERMIT TIME

Don't forget, it's that time of the year again!
Remember that Quetico Park permits are available 5 months...to the day in advance of your preferred starting date.

Boundary Waters permits are now available at all entry points on a first come first serve basis.

Weekends (Sundays & Mondays) and mid summer starts (July 15th- August 15th) are prime times, so reserve your permits early for prime time dates. There are still many permit openings on both sides of the border. Remember, we're happy to reserve permits or check availability for our guest.

Dave















Williams and Hall Newsletter
What's Going On in the North Woods.  
    This news letter is designed to help keep you current on the issues of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park, to give you information on Williams and Hall Outfitters, and to share some of our knowledge and love of the outdoors and the wilderness around us.  We hope you enjoy these articles and share them with your friends.

 

 
Enough Already!

There is winter...and then there is this! For anyone who lives anywhere in the central U.S., Mid-west, Northeast or in some cases, even the deep south, winter has been, shall we say, a bit obnoxious! Even the dog mushers haven't ventured out nearly as much this winter. It's times like these that can cause one to think the buzz of a mosquito isn't so bad...if it was accompanied by a 70 degree day! Up in these parts, we've seen 40 below on several occasions and have been in record territory on consecutive below zero days. Enough Already!   

When there's nothing you can do to change the weather, you have to change the frame of mind. In the computer savvy world we live in, there are lots of ways to break the grip of winter. One of my favorite ways to pass time is with maps... more specifically, satellite imagery. I can spend hours pouring over this stuff. At first, I was apprehensive about people being able to count the shingle on my roof. Now however, with technology what it is, being able to almost count the rocks on a newly discovered reef on your favorite lake is worth the view! Though all parts of the Canoe Country aren't crystal clear just yet, imaging keeps getting better. One of the areas I've had particular interest in has been the Pagami Creek fire area. Checking out the progression of regrowth has been fascinating. Needless to say, satellite imagery websites are a neat tool in planning future canoe trips as well as a fun way to pass the chilly time this winter.
Notice the Outline of the Pagami Creek Fire area in this Image 

Two of my favorite sites for satellite imagery are ArcGis and Google Maps.  Another great site is the Minnesota DNR site...more specifically, Lakefinder. This site should be of particular interest to the fishermen in your group. Besides giving lots of details (including fish types) about many lakes in the Boundary Waters, you can also download lake maps! Try pulling up a lake map and compare it with the satellite image opened in a different tab. Unfortunately, Lakefinder doesn't cover Quetico lakes.

Check these sites out to beat the winter blues... but don't get too sucked in and forget shovel the driveway!            

Dave

 

 

Around the Base
Ebbs and Flows  
 
Every season brings a different look at the natural scene in the Northwoods. More specifically, wildlife in the Canoe Country fluctuates with the changing conditions pretty much on a regular basis. For example, in some years we've had high numbers of Great Grey owls that came down from north of us, due to certain weather and food conditions. Due to a variety of reasons, our moose population is currently at a low, while other areas have good numbers. Basically all wildlife will naturally go through ebbs and flows with their numbers and the Canoe Country is a prime area to see this happening. 
More snowshoe hare means more lynx

During the last several years the snowshoe hare population has become very high in and around our area. Because of this there has been an increase in the number of lynx around Ely...including around our base at Williams and Hall. We have had at least one hanging around here for a good part of the winter. Some folks have been lucky enough to get pictures but so far, this one has eluded my camera. Lynx not only do well with high numbers of snowshoe hare but also thrive in deep snow as their proportionally large feet can keep them on top of the snow during pursuit of prey. 
    
Dave 

                                                                  
Important
Links and Updates

Quetico Park- The Ontario MNR has now made fishing licenses available on-line! To purchase Ontario fishing licenses you can click on the following link: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_091032.html/

Purchasing Ontario fishing licenses on-line proved to be an easy alternative to attempting a purchase at Prairie Portage last summer. We'll continue to advise Quetico fishermen and women to purchase on-line for this year.

Ontario Parks permits (including Quetico Park) will continue to be available on-line for the 2013 season: https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Quetico/Backcountry?Map

Boundary Waters- While Minnesota fishing licenses are still available here at Williams and Hall, they can also be purchased on-line at: https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/mn_customer/app/goHome.do

As in the past few years, Boundary Waters permits are also available on-line at: http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchResults.do?topTabIndex=Search


Copy and paste any of the links above to your browser if the link doesn't work.

Remember...We're happy to secure your camping permits at no extra charge!

        
BW Q

Canadian trips...don't forget your CanPass (Remote Area Border Crossing Pass) http://www.williamsandhall.com/ftpgetfile.php?id=19

To Make Your Reservation On-Line:


Looking forward to another season of canoeing adventures!



Sincerely,  
Blayne, Charlene & Dave
 

PO Box 358 Ely, MN 55731
(800) 322-5837
[email protected]

Canoe Trip Specialists
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness / Quetico Park Outfitter
Williams and Hall Wilderness Guides and Outfitters
Located on Moose Lake in Ely, Minnesota