Seagull Canoe Outfitters

07/29/2026

Seagull Outfitters has been honored to outfit a crew of Smoke Jumpers and a crew of Hot Shots that are out working on the Little Knife Fire. We are grateful for their effort and the efforts of many to work to bring the fires under control. The forest does not need our protection, but sometimes to coexist with nature we need to take protective measures for the good of people, their houses, and their livelihoods.

The wilderness will always be just that - wild. That’s what is so loved about it in the first place. It will never ask us what we want. But with thoughtfulness and respect we believe that some amount of “cooperation” can be established. We’re grateful for the opportunity to play a part in supporting those actively working to get back to that place where the wilderness can be ready for your return.

07/27/2026

🛶 BWCAW Reopening News🛶 Day Use Motor will be opening back up for Seagull and Saganaga Lakes on Thursday, July 30th. We are hopeful that conditions continue to improve and allow for Over Night Paddle Permits to open for these lakes soon.

Thank you Andy from Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters for filming the update.

07/25/2026

There has been some positive news the last two days concerning some partial reopening of the Boundary Waters - see our prior posts for more details on that. Unfortunately Sea Gull and the end of the Trail entry points were not included yet, but we are optimistic that things are headed in the right direction.

You can continue to support us through our online shop. We have continued to update and get things listed there. We have some great finds - pottery mugs, hats, sweatshirts, sun shirts, and more! Check it out at the link below. For those that are looking for a little excitement in their shopping experience, check out our listing for a Mystery Nalgene Bundle!

https://seagulloutfitters.square.site/s/shop

07/24/2026

Proposed BWCAW Overnight Reopenings!!

The USFS is proposing to open the entry points in green on July 30.

The final decision will be on July 27.

We will keep sharing updates as we know more!

07/23/2026

Official Release from the USFS on some limited reopening of the BWCAW. Day use only for entry points along the first approximately half of the Gunflint Trail. This is a promising sign for what the days ahead could hold. Overnight permits remain cancelled for all entry points, now through July 29. We will share accurate updates as they come and will be in contact with guests whose trips are directly impacted by the closure to overnight entry. Stay tuned for more.

Thanks in advance for your continued support and understanding as we work through this closure together.

NOTICE: BWCAW Day Use permits open at Cook County Entry Points on Monday July 27, and overnight permits are cancelled through July 29, 2026

In an effort to re-open select areas of the BWCAW (as fire activity, weather and resources allows) the Forest Service continues to evaluate BWCAW quota permit points daily. The following areas, as depicted in detail in the Forest Order Exhibits A & B, are updated:

• Day Use Access - Permits for select points of entry in Cook County starting Monday, July 27 are open for visitor use. All other BWCAW entry points are currently closed for day use.
• Overnight Access – Permits for all points of entry for overnight use are cancelled through Wednesday July 29; no overnight camping is currently allowed.
• Visitor Advisory – Due to the varied wildfire activity and weather, the Forest Service advises visitors to be diligent in planning trips into the area. Ensure a travel plan is in place and it’s shared with family or friends, know weather and fire conditions before you go, and understand you are entering a Wilderness area with associated risks due to weather, access and wildfire activity. See tips on planning a Wilderness trip.

Always remember to leave a trip itinerary with family or friends prior to departure. See the BWCAW trip planner web page for rules regulations, and an example planner with safety tips.

07/18/2026

Shop here: https://seagulloutfitters.square.site/

07/13/2026

Good Morning, late last night we received notice that "a closure of all BWCAW entry points will go into effect at 12:01AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026". While this is tough news it is important for the safety of paddlers and the wilderness at this very dry and dangerous time.

There will be a lot of questions. We will be working on reaching everyone who has booked a trip with us during this closure to talk through options. If you have questions please reach out.

Here is the notice we received from U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest.

Due to extreme weather conditions and numerous wildfires burning within the Superior National Forest and BWCAW, to protect the health and safety of visitors and firefighters, a closure of all BWCAW entry points will go into effect at 12:01AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as follows:

1. Overnight Paddle, Overnight Motor, and Overnight Hiking:
Reservations with entry dates of Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17, 2026, will be cancelled.
2. Day Use Motor: Reservations with entry dates of Tuesday, July 14 through Friday, July 17, 2026, will be cancelled. Visitors with Day Use Motor reservations for Monday, July 13, 2026, may proceed as planned.

Beginning Tuesday, July 14, 2026, no visitors will be allowed to enter the BWCAW, including for day use. Additionally,
1. Crews will begin moving visitors out of the BWCAW on Tuesday with priority on areas most vulnerable to wildfire activity.
2. An updated closure order and associated map will be available later on Monday.
3. Full refunds will be processed automatically. Permit holders will receive a cancellation notification email from Recreation.gov.

07/05/2026

No better way to end a day! 🌅 🎣 🔥
We have some select openings remaining for our cabin rentals! Snag a reservation now and this could be your new favorite summer memory!

Ogish (Lakeside; Sleeps 2) - July 6-9, 14-19; August 17-20, 28-30
Alpine (Lake view; Sleeps 4) - August 24-26
Maraboeuf (Lakeside; Sleeps 6) - July 7-12, 16-18
Red House (Lakeside; Sleeps 6) - July 12-15, 25-31; August 16-18, 22-26

All of our cabins have dock access to Sea Gull Lake. Motorboat and canoe rentals available. Bait for purchase on site. All you need is a pole and your favorite fishing partner (or someone to enjoy eating fish with you). We hope to see you soon!

06/30/2026

Summer time is here and the fish are biting! 🎣 Seagull Lake has been producing some fish of every size and species the last few weeks. The Walleye bite remains consistent, we have been finding fish in intermediate depths along wind blown reefs and shorelines. They have been most easily targeted by slip bobbers or by trolling live bait rigs.

06/24/2026

Here at Seagull Outfitters, we are proud and excited to announce a big accomplishment by three of our staffers that took place last Thursday. We had a team successfully complete the Ely Challenge. This feat demands paddling and portaging 80 miles round trip from Saganaga Lake to the Moose Lake on the western end of the BWCAW near Ely. Oh, and it must be completed in under 24 hours. Let’s hear about it from some of the participants.
We left the landing on Lake Saganaga at 12:01 am on Thursday morning and began our paddle through Sag in the dark. We finally got some sunrise by the time we were crossing Otter Track, and the headwinds came for us once we entered Knife. We wound our way through Birch, Sucker and Newfound lakes before finally landing at the Moose public access. Just to keep us on our toes, the wind persisted throughout. Once hitting the shores, we found a friendly hitch hike to the city of Ely to mail a post card and enjoy the best that dairy queen has to offer. After catching a ride back to the Moose Landing, we retraced our path and paddled all the way back to the same landing we started from on Lake Saganaga. Along our way back we battled strong winds and had to seek some shelter under our canoe while we waited out lightning and thunder. But after the storm moved through, we were greeted by a fantastic rainbow leading us home. Even with a few delays we still completed the 80 Mile trip in 23 hours and 26 minutes and arrived back to where we started at 11:27 pm. We were tired, sore, and exhausted but to be one of the few teams to havr completed the Ely challenge is well worth it. Highly recommend if you can navigate in the dark, paddle continuously for an entire day, and love to torture yourself, give it a go!