Ely hosts the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a world renowned backwoods recreation area bordering Canada. There are black bear, moose, wolf, and other wildlife, as well as the best freshwater fishing life has to offer. There are hundreds of lakes to fish for northern pike, bass, trout and walleye. Winter is full of snow and sunshine here in Ely. There are plenty of things to do such as snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, winter camping, snowmobiling, ice-fishing or just sitting in our cozy living room in front of a warm fire.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Known as the "Canoe Capital of the World," the BWCAW has more than one million acres of wilderness, including lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. With more than 1,500 miles of water trails, the BWCAW invites you to explore the largest wilderness preserve east of the Rocky Mountains. Whether for day trips or multiple-day trips, to limit the number of people entering into the BWCAW, the U.S. Forest Service requires permits which may be obtained from resorts, outfitters, or by contacting one of our area Ranger Stations. Because of this system, you might share a whole lake with no one but our state bird - the loon.
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| Local Area Information |
Ely Chamber of Commerce Information Center
(218) 365-6123 or (800) 777-7281
Trezona Trail
Hike, bike or ski the four-mile trail around Miner's Lake which is located within the Ely city limits. The trail is open to the public for year-round use and is connected to the International Wolf Center and the Grand Ely Lodge.
Ely-Winton History Museum
1900 East Camp St., Ely, MN 55731, (218) 365-3226
Taconite Trail
The Taconite Trail is a state-operated, multipurpose trail system stretching approximately 170 miles from Ely to Grand Rapids. While the trail is used for hiking and horseback riding through much of the year, it is best known for snowmobiling. In the winter, it becomes the center of thousands of miles of groomed trails in northeastern Minnesota. It features many parking areas, wayside rests, scenic vistas and well-marked trails.
Golf Courses
Ely has a 9-hole, 3,245 yard, par 36 course that is open to the public. Located on the south side of the city, it is just 9 blocks south of Sheridan Street on Central Avenue. The course is open (weather permitting) from late April until late October. The Babbitt Golf Course is also open to the public and is located on Highway 21. The course features 9 holes, 3,316 yards with a par of 35. (218)365-5932
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| Fishing Information |
Minnesota Fishing Regulations
The most sought after prize in Ely area lakes is the golden sided, glass-eyed walleye. Many veteran anglers prefer to pursue the walleye at night. There is no question that the big ones - trophy sized 8 to 10 pounders, will swim into the shallows at night to feed. Sandbars, in the currents between lakes or where streams enter quieter waters are all likely spots to hook a lunker with rapalas, rebels and other minnow-like crank baits.
| Boating Information |
www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating.html
A DNR public waters work permit (application available under DNR Waters Forms) is not required for privately owned ramps if the following conditions are satisfied:
The site can support a ramp without pilings, dredging, or other special site preparations.
The ramp is constructed only of gravel, natural rock, concrete, steel matting, or other durable inorganic material.
The ramp is no more than 6 inches thick; 12 feet wide along shore; and 10 feet waterward of the ordinary high water level (OHW) or into water depth of 4 feet, whichever is less.
No more than 5 cubic yards of excavation and 5 cubic yards of fill is allowed for a stable base.
The site is not a posted fish spawning area.
The same conditions apply for publicly owned ramps as those for privately owned ramps, except the ramp can be up to 24 feet wide and 20 feet waterward of the shoreline or into water depth of 4 feet, whichever is less. Up to 30 cubic yards of fill and 60 cubic yards of excavation is allowed.
| Camping Information |
Grand
Ely Lodge
www.grandelylodge.com
400 North Pioneer Road · Ely, Minnesota 55731
800-365-5070 · 218-365-6565
Trezona House Bed & Breakfast
www.trezona.com
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