News and New Stuff

Water Purification at the Touch of a Button

No more clogged filters or broken pumps! Purify your drinking water by simply pushing a button and waiting a minute. No other camp chore will ever be this easy! SteriPEN® Classic (SP-RP) purifies water using Ultraviolet (UV) light. The SteriPEN destroys viruses, bacteria and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium, in seconds. Uses 4-AA batteries. Pcik one up at LaCroix Outfitters. We are also stocking rechargable batteries.

Retail price at LaCroix Outfitters: $79.95

Fishing License

Minnesota DNR Fishing License Info and Sales Link

Check out the Minnesota DNR website for information regarding fishing licenses and current regualtion. Order on-line to eliminate a last minute situations. A license is required for all persons 16 and older while fishing in Minnesota. Non-Minnesota-residents, please check out the 7-day and 72 hour license options pending the length of your trip.

Ontario Fishing License

Check Ontario's fishing regulatioins and license requirements. You can purchase your Ontario fishing license at the Quetico Park Ranger Station at the same time you stop to pay for Quetico Park camping fees.

Lake Finder

Get the latest information on the lakes you'll be fishing and traveling through by checking out the Minnesota DNR Lake Finder page. Simply type in the lake name. All lakes in this part of the Boundary Waters are in St. Louis County. Enjoy.

Passport Info

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Check out current news regarding passports for travel between the US and Canada. A passport is only necessary to re-enter the US when traveling by air. Land and water based travelers can re-enter the US with a driver's license or a copy of birth certificate through June 2009. A passport trumps all and will be needed soon, so check out this link for information on how and where to apply:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

New BWCAW User Fees for 2008

Beginning in 2008, permit fees for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will be:

Adult per trip fee: $16.00
Youth per trip fee: $8.00
Adult Seasonal Fee Card: $64.00
Youth Seasonal Fee Card: $32.00

The fee increase was approved by the Regional Forester, acting upon the recommendation of the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. This is the first increase in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) user fees in the 10 years since fees were put into effect. The basis for the increase is an adjustment for inflation (using the Consumer Price index) over the past ten years with forward projections over the next five to ten years.

User fees generated through this program come directly back to the Forest and help to fund the wilderness management program, including staffing with wilderness rangers, and funding campsite and portage maintenance, permit issuance, and wilderness education programs.
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior/bwcaw/

New Quetico Park Fishing Regulations

The new fishing regulations are planned to go into effectl January 1, 2008. Effective 2008, barbed hooks and the use of organic bait will be prohibited in the Quetico Provincial Park. However, manufactured organic baits will be allowed. In effort to encourage park visitors to switch to "green" tackle, manufactured organic baits, barbless hooks and lead-free tackle will be sold at all Quetico entry stations. Another option is to use a pair of pliars and smash the barbs on all of your favorite fishing lures and hooks. Check out the 2008 Ontario Fishing Regulations to make sure you're in compliance.