Rapidly Changing Ice Conditions and Lake Access on the Superior National Forest

Submitted by newsherald on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 3:16pm

Due to the late spring thaw this year, many waterways on the SuperiorNational Forest, including portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), remain partially or entirely frozen at this time. However, conditions are rapidly changing.

Visitors interested in fishing or any other activities on lakes and streams need to use care in deciding where they will travel and consider changing ice conditions.  Remember that ice which was frozen along the shoreline early in the morning may thaw on a sunny day leaving several feet of open water by noon.  Even the thick ice out on a lake can begin to soften, break up, and move around in the course of a warm spring day. If, in light of the current conditions, you want to cancel a reservation for a wilderness entry permit or for a reservation at a campground on the Superior National Forest outside the wilderness, it is important to contact the national reservation center in a timely manner.   There are many options on the Forest for camping or for wilderness entry.

If you are cancelling a permit for an entry point into the BWCAW and selecting a permit for a different entry point, the original reservation fee cannot be refunded to you.  However, the deposit for an overnight permit will be refunded if reservations are cancelled two or more days prior to entry.

When changing or cancelling campground reservations, a service fee will be charged.  Additional fees may apply the reservation center is not contacted more than two days prior to the first night of a reservation.