Canoe Country Outfitters, Boundary Waters Outfitter,Ely and Western BWCA, BWCA, BWCAW

Canoe Country Outfitters

Ely and Western BWCA

Canoe Country Outfitters

629 East Sheridan Street
P.O. Box 30
Ely, MN   55731

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Contact Information:

Proprietors: The Olsons
Direct Phone: (218) 365-4046
Fax: (218) 365-4046
Email: cco@frontiernet.net

Overview:

Canoe Country Outfitters, founded by Bill and Barbara Rom in
1946, is one of the largest and most successful outfitters
in the North Country.

You will be fascinated by its smooth operation as you deal
with friendly, competent, and experienced personnel who are
well-versed in the ways of the canoe country and its trip
routes.

As a full-service outfitter we are dedicated to providing
personal service and the very best in food supplies, canoes,
and camping equipment rentals. Providing camping and fishing
trips is our only business so our entire attention is
directed towards assuring you a safe, exciting, and
memorable time.

Canoe Country Outfitters is conveniently located in downtown
Ely, plus we maintain a private canoe base on Moose Lake (20
miles east of Ely). From these two locations we are able to
quickly service all area trip starting points. We have
outfitted more people and have been under the same family
management longer than any other outfitter, so no one can
match our experience and knowledge of the area.

We will help you plan a route that best suits your needs,
whether it be one requiring travel each day or a relaxing
base camp arrangement reachable in 1-2 days. Orientation
also includes instructions on use of our equipment, fishing
and camping techniques, safety, and more.

Main Offerings:

  • Full Outfitting - Provide complete outfitting needs - canoe, gear, food
  • Gear Rental - Tents, sleeping bags, packs, etc - all partial outfitting needs
  • Trip/Route Planning Assistance - Help plan your trip & route - This service always free of charge!
  • Entry Point Shuttles - Shuttles to and from entry points.
  • Guide Service - Not a requirement but can be arranged if requested
  • BWCA Permits - Reserve Permits for your group
  • Canoe Rental - Choose from five brands - kevlar or aluminum
  • Meal Planning - Plan and Provide fresh and freeze dried meals for groups.
  • Store - Shopping - Store providing gear, fishing gear, maps, food
  • Bunkhouse - Lodging choice of bunkhouse, motel or our campground
  • Cabins - Cabins for rent
  • Quetico Outfitting - Easy access to Quetico from our private Moose Lake Base

Additional Offerings 1:

  • Kevlar Canoe Rental - Solo, tandem, 3-seat and 4-seat models available
  • Maps - We stock both Fisher and McKenzie detailed maps
  • Solo Canoe Rental - Rental of Wenonah and Souris River kevlar canoes
  • Minnesota Fishing Licenses - Fishing Licenses Available On-Site
  • Hot Showers - Hot Showers for post trip cleanup

Additional Offerings 2:

  • Northstar Canoes - Rental of Northstar Canoes
  • Northstar Canoes - Rental of Northstar Canoes
  • Wenonah Canoes - Rental of Wenonah Canoes
  • Souris River Canoes - Rental of Souris River Canoes
  • Kayak Rental - Rental of Kayaks
  • Gear Sales - Providing Sales of gear
  • Food Sales - Providing Sales of dry goods for your trip
  • Fishing Tackle - BWCA fishing gear for sale
  • Fish Finder Rental - Rental of Fish Finders
  • Satellite Phones - Rental of Satellite Phones for emergency contact

Boundary Waters Entry Points Supported

  • Crab Lake and Cummings from Burntside Lake - 4
  • Slim Lake - 6
  • Big Lake - 7
  • Moose River (south) - 8
  • Little Indian Sioux River (south) - 9
  • Little Indian Sioux River (north) - 14
  • Moose/Portage River (north) - 16
  • Stuart River - 19
  • Angleworm Lake - 20
  • Mudro Lake (restricted--no camping on Horse Lake) - 22
  • Mudro Lake - 23
  • Wood Lake - 26
  • Snowbank Lake Only - 28
  • Ojibway Lake/North Kawishiwi River - 29
  • Lake One - 30
  • South Kawishiwi River - 32
  • Little Gabbro Lake - 33
  • Island River - 34
  • Isabella Lake - 35
  • Hog Creek - 36
  • Kawishiwi Lake - 37
  • Bog Lake - 67
  • From CANADA - 71
  • Little Isabella River - 75
  • South Hegman Lake - 77
  • Snake River - 84
  • Trout Lake - 1
  • Fall Lake - 24
  • Moose Lake - 25
  • Snowbank Lake - 27
  • Farm Lake - 31
  • Trout Lake - A
  • Fall Lake Only - C
  • Fall Lake and Beyond - D
  • Moose Lake Chain Only - F
  • Moose Lake to Prairie Portage - G
  • Snowbank Lake - H
  • South Farm Lake - I

Quetico Entry Points Supported

  • Maligne River - 42
  • McAree Lake - 43
  • Bottle River - 44
  • Basswood River - Reachable from our Moose Lake Base through Prairie Portage
  • Sarah Lake - Reachable from our Moose Lake Base through Prairie Portage
  • Kahshahapiwi Lake - Reachable from our Moose Lake Base through Prairie Portage
  • Agnes Lake - Reachable from our Moose Lake Base through Prairie Portage
  • Carp Lake - Reachable from our Moose Lake Base through Prairie Portage


Now hiring for the summer season. Housekeeping and outfitting positions at our downtown Ely location. Also, a campground assistant position is available that includes free housing at our Moose Lake campground.

Enjoy living and working for the summer on the edge of the famous BWCA wilderness. Our employees may use our watercraft and camping gear free of charge on their days off. For further details and a job application contact us at:

Canoe Country Outfitters
PO Box 30
Ely MN 55731

Phone: 218-365-4046
E-Mail: cco@frontiernet.net