Hello all, I am planning a trip into Basswood from Moose Lake entry point on the US side in June. I have done this trip the last three years and have been thinking about attempting to fish the Quetico side of Basswood this year. I have an overnight motor permit for Basswood. My dad is getting up there in years and paddling just isn't possible for him anymore. I understand there are different regs in Quetico like no live bait. I assume I will need an additional license and a permit for Quetico also?? Also assume I will need to go through customs at Prarie Portage?? Is the extra effort worth it? Primarily intend to focus on Walleye. We have done ok on the US side thus far but always hear the Canadian side is better. Thanks in advance for any advice or insight on this.

You will need a Remote Border Crossing Permit..(there is no Customs at Prairie Portage) also a Quetico Day permit & Canadian fishing licence.....Motors are not allowed on the Quetico side of Basswood so you'll have to paddle, and no live bate(or dead bait) and no barbed hooks.......and yes the fishing is better in Quetico......if it's worth it to you ....I can't say, we go into the interior and it is worth it to us.

Thank you! MN & Ontario license, BW OM permit,RABC, Quetico day permit / yearly Ontario parks pass - and I am legal to basecamp US side and paddle day trip into Canadian waters.? We have a 16' Alumacraft but take in a canoe along with us. Can't portage the Alumacraft. Used the canoe last year to portage over to Pipestone from Back Bay. Basecamped out of Hoist bay summer 2009 and Wind bay summer 2007. Caught tons of great pike, a few walleye, plenty of bass and a few nice crappie in those watters, but looking to target walleye this summer and see some new territory. Don't believe we have been in the proper parts of Basswood to focus on walleye thus far. Is the paddle only area above Washington Island better walleye fishing than the main portion of the lake that is permitted for motor use? Any chance Burke Lake, Sunday Lake, Poacher Lake or North Bay are particularly good for Walleye? Assume they are less crowded than the US side of Basswood? We catch and release so no worries on giving us advice. Neither of us even eat fish. My family and friends all think I am crazy to go all that way in the middle of no where for a vacation but I love it. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Tough to paddle all that way myself though on those Canadian day trips. Day trips into Jackfish and Pipestone with a motor on the canoe may be the best option. Or am I underestimating how much better the fishing is Canadian side?

You will need to pick a side & camp on that side. Continual border crossing is illegal. FWIW, my opinion is that the waldo fishing is good on both sides of Basswood. Save the extra expense and camp & fish on US side. While you will need to paddle some, go north of Washington Is, and fish the points & reefs up to US Point. Lot's of good waldos & bass. Talk to your outfitter for specific spots to try.

continual border crossing is not illegal if you have the right permits, etc. if you have a BW permit and a Q permit, and an RABC you can zigzag you ass all over the place...if so inclined.

Thanks for the advice. The extra cash and effort are not so important to me as is the fishing quality. So you think the paddle only area above Washington Island area is the best area to hit for eyes on teh motorized portion of Basswood? Better than Jackfish and Pipestone? Kanoes - how close to the Canadian border can I fish from my boat w/motor on Basswood? Can I motor in Merriam Bay and the Canadian side of Bayley Bay? Anyone have advice on Burke Lake, Sunday Lake, or Ranger Bay??

You can not have a motorized boat in Quetico, at all. you can not take a motorized boat above Washington Ise, only to it. As for the walleye fishing I can not say. I am but a lowly bass fisherman. Now that is good. I was told that the narrows between Lincoln/Washington Ises and the Canadian side hold walleyes. I am not sure I would push my luck on the border you can not see in the water. Tie your big boat up to the Isle and paddle the canoe for 5 min and be in good fishing waters. Just be aware that many people take tow to and from Lincoln Isle.

no motoring whatsoever in Canadian side of Basswood, period. If you have the right permits, go full speed right up to the border line, cut motor around percieved border, enjoy the coast into Canada, begin paddling, lol. Make sure you have proper permits, don't tempt fate, you can lose your gear, and major hassle/fines. You are fine to use your boat with motor on it in Canada, just don't fire it up, again given you have the right permits.

I will def get the proper permits. I have no interest in risking anything illegal - I just needed a little clarification. Are you sure you are allowed to have a motor in your possession on the canadian side as long as it is not operational? Different from the paddle only area above Wash Isle? That would be really helpful if allowed. What's your preferred method of slaying bass? The pike and bass seem to attack any crank I toss up there. No one seems to want to offer up advice on Burke and Sunday... must be good fishing there and no one wants to volunteer any hot spots, or no one spends considerable time there.?.? I suspect the former.

quote PA Fisherman: "I will def get the proper permits. I have no interest in risking anything illegal - I just needed a little clarification. Are you sure you are allowed to have a motor in your possession on the canadian side as long as it is not operational? Different from the paddle only area above Wash Isle? That would be really helpful if allowed. What's your preferred method of slaying bass? The pike and bass seem to attack any crank I toss up there. No one seems to want to offer up advice on Burke and Sunday... must be good fishing there and no one wants to volunteer any hot spots, or no one spends considerable time there.?.? I suspect the former. "

The smallmouth fishing is good on those lakes. I haven't heard much of anyone doing good with walleye on Sunday or Burke. Maybe some one will chime in and let you know.

Day trippers do it all the time in Merriam and Bailey bays, motor wise. As long as u are legal, permit wise, and not using the motor in Canada, it can be on your boat, no problem.