Having enjoyed the BWCA for years I’ve considered trying a trip to the Wabakimi. Has anyone here ever visited? If so was it worthwhile? I know this is not BW or Quietco related but there’s very little actual first person information on it online.

There is a Wabakimi sub-forum you can join on here where you can read lots of info and then post any remaining questions.

I also highly recommend joining Friends of Wabakimi. They have planning materials and a wealth of information to share. Friends of Wabakimi

I traveled in the area back in the '80s but have been using resources from FOW to possibly plan a fresh visit.

A lot of people on this site have been there and there is a lot on the inter web about it. I’ve been just across the highway from Wabakimi. St. Raphael PP is just west of there which is where I went. There is sooo much water and woods north of the border.
-T

After some 25-30 BWCA trips I finally got myself organized and took a 20 day trip to Wabakimi, just me and my dog. It was amazing, and a whole different level. Maps can be more confused, less detailed, and even less accurate. There are far fewer people there. I did see people on a few lakes fishing or moose hunting boats, but overall I saw 4 canoes - one near an exit and two near a popular float plane pick up spot. In 20 days, I never once passed an occupied camp site. I count myself as a sub-mediocre fisherman, but I caught walleye pretty much every other cast. And I was not even on the more remote edges of Wabakimi - I was on the Lake 1-2-3-4 version. There are a lot of even more remote areas and a LOT of big, moving water.

A word of warning: going to Wabakimi ruined the BWCA for me in a small way. But it also opened the door to more canoe adventure than I've considered in a long time. I can not wait to go back, but hopefully for something longer than 20 days.

Join the Wabakim subgroup, and definitely check out the Friends of Wabakimi material - they also have a bunch of material on YouTube.

I can second straighthaircurley and tumblehome. Join FOW - lots of info and paddlers with much experience in the greater Wabakimi area. Tripping there is definitely a big step up from the BWCA - much more remote but much more rewarding if you value solitude, great fishing, etc. It is also more pricey due to it being Canada but I never regretted spending the $, to me the solitude and utter lack of other paddlers is worth it. I traveled there and other areas in Canada every year since 2007 (missing only the Covid border closure years). I am in my upper 70’s now and intend to continue going to Canada as long as I can.

You should be able to find video trip reports of Wabakimi online. Go, you won’t regret it.

I also agree with Jaywalker - Wabakimi ruined the BWCA for me also. I think I was last in the BW in October 2018. If I go back to the BW it would only be in the spring or late fall, too many people otherwise.

I’m in total agreement with deerfoot. Definitely recommend Wabakimi! Ask some questions on the Wabakimi forum and a bunch of us will jump in with information.

Personally I’d say get a trip in Quetico if you haven’t yet. Then Wabakimi and work from that point. Entrance or exit is a little more challenging in Wabakimi with a tendency to need a train or a flight in or out. It’s huge though from a perspective of size and with the parks that surround it.

Ryan

John, it sounds like you're doing better now after your scare of last year. If you're interested in another trip Amy and Cary and I are planning an early August trip in the Caribou Forest, 7 days, starting off the logging road #704, at Harris lake and heading north up Savant lake, then down the Savant River to the falls, hang a west at Velos Lake, then through McCrea Lake to Paskokogan then south to Fitchie Lake and out at Km 42. A shuttle at both ends.Keep us in mind. Loved paddling with you. Might do a 4 person, maybe 6.

We went to Wabakimi last summer. Great walleye and northern fishing. Very few people. Very big area. Few drive in entry point options which could be reduced to even less with the woodland Caribou initiative happening. ( was told by indigenous folks the non indigenous wealthy people were trying to shut down a bridge on a bush road to stop local motor traffic between a couple small towns. Expensive permits compared to bw but you are not fighting over reserving entry points. Fly in options are very expensive. Train options seem inconvenient and limit routes. Portages are marked with real blazes cut into tree bark. Campsites are hard to come by on less traveled routes. There are a bunch of fishing and hunting camps that have motorized boats running out of them. We saw more motorized boats than canoes. Even though there are motorized vehicles this area seems much more isolated than the bw. We plan on going back.

It’s a bit odd from the perspective of big lakes will probably have a fly in camp with small motorboats. Once you get past a rapid or waterfall into a narrower area you’ll be by yourself with only other canoes. Back into a main big lake and you might see motorboats occasionally. It’s kind of weird since so few people go up here compared to the other parks like even Quetico. Positive thing is if you have an issue and need to get flown out you just have to get to a decent sized lake and they can come get you.

I’d say somewhat fewer campsites although not on big lakes. Fewer in the the narrow river areas. Wood was everywhere in each camp so having a fire was not an issue. Never used the saw just broke stuff and put on the fire. Really nice campsites though so that wasn’t an issue. I always do my research though and went through Wabakimi outfitters and he labels good campsites on the maps he sends you. Down side with them though is you pay a daily charge with them per each day on trip. Adds up if you are on a longer trip. The other option is Mattice Lake Outfitters. They are right beside each other on the same lake.

Ryan

Gaidin53: "...Positive thing is if you have an issue and need to get flown out you just have to get to a decent sized lake and they can come get you.

Ryan"

How do you notify them of a problem??

Gaidin53: "...Down side with them though is you pay a daily charge with them per each day on trip...
Ryan"

Is this right? We went with Wabakimi Outfitters in 2019. I don't remember this being the case.

After 35+ years of BWCA and Quetico trips, I made the Wabakimi plunge a few years ago. My wife and I did an 8 day trip. We flew into one lake and then we flew out of another lake after a 50 mile paddle journey. We were hoping to get to the most remote center of the park. It was an AMAZING trip. I'll agree with what others said that it is wild and remote and beautiful. As others have said, there are fly-in outpost fishing camps on many of the large lakes. Those outpost camps cache boats on neighboring lakes also. Don't worry, you'll find plenty of solitude and amazing fishing, but you will likely see motorboats and fishing boats on various parts of your trip.

bobbernumber3: "

Gaidin53: "...Positive thing is if you have an issue and need to get flown out you just have to get to a decent sized lake and they can come get you.

Ryan"

How do you notify them of a problem??

Gaidin53: "...Down side with them though is you pay a daily charge with them per each day on trip...
Ryan"

Is this right? We went with Wabakimi Outfitters in 2019. I don't remember this being the case.
"

Doesn’t every provincial park require daily fees?Quetico does as well. I think that was the reference—-at least my assumption.

T

T

timatkn: "

bobbernumber3: "

Gaidin53: "...Positive thing is if you have an issue and need to get flown out you just have to get to a decent sized lake and they can come get you.


Ryan"

How do you notify them of a problem??

Gaidin53: "...Down side with them though is you pay a daily charge with them per each day on trip...
Ryan"

Is this right? We went with Wabakimi Outfitters in 2019. I don't remember this being the case.
"

Doesn’t every provincial park require daily fees?Quetico does as well. I think that was the reference—-at least my assumption.


T


T"

Oh. You are probably right. I didn't read it that way.

Yes part of it would go towards the per night camping fee in an Ontario PP for American’s. It’s a bit more than that though per person per day but not huge. Does add up though on a long trip. Everything was also priced American and you don’t get the benefit on the exchange rate, My trip this year into Woodland Caribou and Atikaki is all priced in Canadian so I will benefit on the exchange rate.

I have a Garmin Inreach so I messaged them, part of the benefit of going through Wabakimi outfitter is they want you checking in so they know you are alright on trip. Part of what you are paying the additional daily fee for. They would also let you know if bad weather was expected. If needed they will arrange to get you flown out in an emergency which you will pay for. I was communicating with them when my son had an allergic reaction to like 6 wasp or bee stings. Was prepping in case we needed to be flown out. Wasn’t anaphylaxis was just redness and hives so big dose of Benadryl got us through it.

The other big thing is he sent me the maps over the winter. Once I had money down on a planned trip. It’s up to you to get them printed and laminated if you want to. The maps from them in my opinion was the absolute key reason I went with Wabakimi outfitters!!!!

Definitely a great place. We had time and hung out day prior to flying in. My son played several games of chess with Bruce. Was our first plane ride in for a canoe trip. Definitely something that stands out and I’d recommend every serious canoe tripper do at some point!

Ryan

I would rate our 2019 Wabakimi trip as "best ever". We had lots of lakes to ourselves, beautiful weather, and great fishing. We flew in, paddled for 10 days, and took the train out. The train was 14 hours late, so we had lots of time to kill hanging around the tracks. Luckily, the blueberries were abundant!

I don't recall the costs, but I sure remember the trip.

goatroti: "John, it sounds like you're doing better now after your scare of last year. If you're interested in another trip Amy and Cary and I are planning an early August trip in the Caribou Forest, 7 days, starting off the logging road #704, at Harris lake and heading north up Savant lake, then down the Savant River to the falls, hang a west at Velos Lake, then through McCrea Lake to Paskokogan then south to Fitchie Lake and out at Km 42. A shuttle at both ends.Keep us in mind. Loved paddling with you. Might do a 4 person, maybe 6."

Ken, great to hear from you. I will respond further thru a message direct to you.

goatroti: "John, it sounds like you're doing better now after your scare of last year. If you're interested in another trip Amy and Cary and I are planning an early August trip in the Caribou Forest, 7 days, starting off the logging road #704, at Harris lake and heading north up Savant lake, then down the Savant River to the falls, hang a west at Velos Lake, then through McCrea Lake to Paskokogan then south to Fitchie Lake and out at Km 42. A shuttle at both ends.Keep us in mind. Loved paddling with you. Might do a 4 person, maybe 6."

Double post.

I did my first trip to the wabakimi area in 1975. Also trips to Labrador and alaska. Wabakimi is canoe paradise although on my last trip there many of the portages were overgrown. We never research for our trips so probably our fault. It’s the best canoeing anywhere. I’ll add that the bwca and quetico remain my favorite places. Wabakimi is great but it’s mile after mile of spruce forests, nothing compares to the forests in northern Minnesota

I think if flatwater is your focus, Wabakimi doesn't really have anything on Quetico. The per night fee is the same. The fishing lodge presence on the bigger lakes in Wabakimi means occassional air and boat traffic, and campsites that can be trashed/full of 'improvements.'

Sure, getting off the beaten path it's a different story, meaning it's more like Quetico. :)

tomo: "I think if flatwater is your focus, Wabakimi doesn't really have anything on Quetico. The per night fee is the same. The fishing lodge presence on the bigger lakes in Wabakimi means occassional air and boat traffic, and campsites that can be trashed/full of 'improvements.'


Sure, getting off the beaten path it's a different story, meaning it's more like Quetico. :)



"

In my 17 weeks over 13 years of paddling in Wabakimi I have paddled through cliff-lined lakes, fought the 30 knot winds down a km long rapid on the Albany River in two foot standing waves, heard the Sandhill Cranes calling on Petawanga Lake, been pinned on rocks in the middle of the Attwood River, slept on a native campsite across from the remains of a Hudson Bay Company trading post where the traders may have partied long into the night, been deafened by the roar of the Savant Falls, found gravesites up in the hills marked with soda cans, caught numerous walleye, fished on lakes where no one has been for 60 years for Lakers that would make your eyes bulge. With an area of about 6 million acres, I would put the Wabakimi canoe area up against Quetico any day. ;)

Don't listen to the naysayers who are consumed by their opinions. Get out there and explore.

goatroti: "

tomo: "I think if flatwater is your focus, Wabakimi doesn't really have anything on Quetico. The per night fee is the same. The fishing lodge presence on the bigger lakes in Wabakimi means occassional air and boat traffic, and campsites that can be trashed/full of 'improvements.'



Sure, getting off the beaten path it's a different story, meaning it's more like Quetico. :)



"

In my 17 weeks over 13 years of paddling in Wabakimi I have paddled through cliff-lined lakes, fought the 30 knot winds down a km long rapid on the Albany River in two foot standing waves, heard the Sandhill Cranes calling on Petawa Lake, been pinned on rocks in the middle of the Attwood River, slept on a native campsite across from the remains of a Hudson Bay Company trading post where the traders may have partied long into the night, been deafened by the roar of the Savant Falls, found gravesites up in the hills marked with soda cans, caught numerous walleye, fished on lakes where no one has been for 60 years for Lakers that would make your eyes bulge. With an area of about 6 million acres, I would put the Wabakimi canoe area up against Quetico any day. ;)


Don't listen to the naysayers who are consumed by their opinions. Get out there and explore. "

+1 - My Wabakimi paddling experience is 23 weeks over 12 years. Looking to go back this year having not paddled there since 2018.

deerfoot: "I also agree with Jaywalker - Wabakimi ruined the BWCA for me also. I think I was last in the BW in October 2018. If I go back to the BW it would only be in the spring or late fall, too many people otherwise."

I kind of had the opposite experience. I've been to Wabakimi twice - once with Phil Cotton and the portage clearing crew and once with friends. (BTW, the Friends of Wabakimi maps are excellent - highly recommend)

I loved Wabakimi for the remoteness and no problems getting campsite, but when I returned to the BW, I actually found it more scenic than Wabakimi and appreciated the BW even more.

OneMatch: "

deerfoot: "I also agree with Jaywalker - Wabakimi ruined the BWCA for me also. I think I was last in the BW in October 2018. If I go back to the BW it would only be in the spring or late fall, too many people otherwise."

I kind of had the opposite experience. I've been to Wabakimi twice - once with Phil Cotton and the portage clearing crew and once with friends. (BTW, the Friends of Wabakimi maps are excellent - highly recommend)


I loved Wabakimi for the remoteness and no problems getting campsite, but when I returned to the BW, I actually found it more scenic than Wabakimi and appreciated the BW even more."

I remember being awed by the beauty of the BWCA on my first trip in 1973 off the Gunflint Trail. But also remember all the other people. Once I went to Canada I found I valued the remoteness and solitude even more.

I wished I’d have tried Wabakimi... if it’s anything like woodland Caribou was I’d say... GO!
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is special... no doubt. I try not to compare. But the experiences I had in WCPP I really cherish... any chance anyone has to experience these parks should not be taken lightly. GO! I would add... try 10 days minimum! If any shorter you may not get the whole effect. I did one eight day in WCPP... I guess it was ok. But the longer in my opinion the better. My shorter trip was great because of the company I was with... suncatcher and Boppa. Expand your horizons.... try it!

One of the nice things with Wabakimi is there are some true whitewater river sections. Having paddled several of the classic rivers flowing into Lake Winnipeg (enjoy each of those trips), the Allanwater in Wabakimi was an incredibly fun run. It is short (3-4 days), but we hit it just past flood stage and ran 30 of 39 rapids. But once it empties into Wabakimi Lake you can plan any number of trip options. We went east to Smoothrock, then south over the rail line and past Shawanabis to paddle through the incredible Seven Sisters of the Kopka. Last year we planned on a 190 mile grand adventure down the Allanwater then heading north through three more rivers going south to north across the entire park, ending on the mighty and historic Albany. Unfortunately, we cancelled that trip due to fires adjacent to and near our planned route. We went to Manitoba and paddled the Berens River instead (highly recommend it). This year we are planning to paddle the Allanwater, head north down the Ogoki River to massive Whitewater Lake, to Whiteclay Lake, south up the Raymond River to Cliff Lake, then south down the Pikitigushi River. Excited about this one, and to sometime do the trip we planned last year. I cannot say it is better than anywhere else, but there are a lot of options once you are in the park. And there are a lot of neighboring Provincial Parks (Kopka River, Brightsand River, etc. But there are very few entry points. It is fun to experience different places and meet different outfittters. Bruce and Lindsey (and the lodge) at Wabakimi Outfitters are very good. As nctry noted Woodland Caribou PP is also an interesting place, and different in its own right. But so much of it has burned in the past 10 years.

I went to WCPP last year for my 40th birthday solo trip and don't regret trying something new after dozens of BWCA trips, so I highly recommend taking any opportunity to try a new place and challenge. I very much enjoyed the added challenge for planning and navigation, the isolation, and different landscapes, and definetely the fishing. I hope you enjoy the planning and have a great trip!