My next Quetico Trip will be June 2008....
looking for "Dream Trip" ideas...
Where would you go for best fishing, solitude, scenery.

Fishguts - We are in the preliminary planning stages (we talked about it a couple times) of a dream trip to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Would you give any of the other provincial parks consideration? They appear to offer even more of a wilderness experience than Quetico.

Fishguts,

I am doing a 10 to 14 day solo trip to Quetico beginning July 2nd this year. I plan on doing some portions of Hunter's Island, but I plan to change things up some what since I have done some portions of the route and I want to stay off the big water of LLC.

I will be going counter clockwise from Prairie Portage through Carp Lake entry point. I will probably portage out of the Maligne River to Minn Lake to stay off LLC, but I haven't determined a set route from there. I will have to re-read your trip report as I recall you were in that area.

I guess what I'm saying, I will watch these reply's to your request so I may get some ideas, also.

Chuck

best scenery would have to be up the "Falls Chain',and you can't go wrong with the fishing either.For solitude I would head towards McEwen off the Falls Chain,most of the traffic heads towards Kawnipi.We had McEwen to ourselves for a week in June 04.
http://community.webshots.com/user/kevheads

"Guts" I am a Quetico veteren. This will be the first year I will not go, in the last 15. I am to be honest pissed about all the new regs. I know I will go back, I think I just need a year or two off. The barbless deal isn't so bad its just the zero live bait deal that frustrates me. Anyway Kevheads is right on the money. Falls Chain is the only way to go. McKewen is a great choice as well as Blackstone and Kawnipi. The best fishing you may ever experience. The Dream trip however is a long haul into a lake called Mack! I have posted on it before but some old guides and Outfitters say there is no better fishing lake in the park period. If you like monster smallies it does not get any better. The walleyes don't get huge (over 28in) because they haven't been in there long enough, but you will have to fight them off your hook. Huge pike however. Ask some of the older Outfitter on the Gunflint and they will say the same. Have fun

*This is posted on the Wilderness Outfitters Site*

Ontario Fishing Regulations are still pending federal approval and wil NOT come into effect until further notice. This means you can use barbed hooks, nightcrawlers, dried leeches and dried minnows - the same rules as last summer in the Quetico Park.

So if you are missing out on Quetico because of the new regs, you might check it out again!!

I'll second fishguts on this, most likely the regs won't take affect until next year---for once the good old fashioned government beauracracy helped on that.

Tim

I know a lot of you like Canada. But I would never go back.

Thats huge! I did not hear that. I will have to check for Falls Chain permit availability. Thanks for the info

Izzy,

I almost feel the same way.

The problem for me is, I just returned to the BWCA last year after a seven year absents. I remember going into the eastern region of the BWCA and after a day or so I wouldn’t see many people, if any at all, until I started to come out and get within a day of coming out of the BWCA. There is more distance between the north and south border in the east than there is the area off the Echo trail (Generally speaking). Now with the storm in 1999 and the latest fires I’m sure the area is not like it was when I visited it several times in the past.

When I read these posts it sounds like there are more people, even though there are still quotas, going into the BWCA. There have always been a lot of people on the numbered lakes and I always tried to avoid those lakes except just to pass through. Maybe it’s just my perception.

What I do know is I like to paddle several hours a day and I don’t like the idea of starting to look for a campsite at 1300 hours.

Canada has a more rugged wilderness experience therefore that’s the reason I still go.

I did think it over, about ever going to Canada again after I read about Cliff Jacobson’s experience in the summer 2006 issue of Che-Mun and some other peoples experience with the Canadian Officials. Cliff admitted he lied to the Canadian Officials so he did bring some of his problems to himself. I don’t advocate lying to any official.

Chuck

The fishing on Mack lake is good...

Actually, it's world class. I go back and forth to Canada at least several times each month, if not more. And i've never had any problems. What are these problems you speak of?

World class is for sure. Would love to hear a trip report from Mack someday

I have been to Canada a few times for work and vacation. The problem is that when you go up to Canada they have to interogate you about what you are doing there. They never ask you about how much money you are going to leave there. And now with crossing the border being worse - I have had a couple of my friends say that the agents have emptied their trucks and boats looking for illegal things, it's a hassle and I won't do it again inspite of the fishing and beauty of the country. I would rather leave my hard earned dollars in the economy of my own country. We have some awesome fishing here in the US. Sorry , but it's the way I feel. I will forego some good fishing to keep things " Here ". As they say - "If you are reading this thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English thank a Veteran."

I've always been hassled much more by the US border patrol, than the Candadians. And I'm a citizen!

I must not look like a terrorist though, because in the hundreds of times i've crossed the border, i've never been given a hard time.

I have been hassled by the US agents also. So I am happier to just stay in the US. There are some awesome fishing opportunities here and I would rather take advantage of them. I know people who have had some very good times in Canada. Just my feelings. But I bet the Quetico is a great place.

haven't drove across the border in a long time but going across with a RABC at P.P. or Cache Bay is no hassle at all.

I have been hassled on the US side much more than the Canadian side.

I haven't been hassled on either side. Must be my pleasant demeanor.

Hey Fishguts! Ever entered at McAree Lake and booked on up to Argo and Darky? Also have you ever Been to Brent Lake?

Hey! Mooseplums,
You need to check out my trip report....McAree to Prairie Portage.
Fishgut's Increditable Quetico Adventure

Thanks Fishguts!! I'll check it out!

there must be changes going on at the border crossings because even the rep at the float plane base we use happened to mention this subject a couple weeks ago. they think it's affecting their business. their phones are not ringing like they normally do this time of year. we haven't had any recent problems, but did have a huge problem a few years back crossing at international falls. 2 guys on that trip swore they would never set foot in canada again, and haven't. we were doing a lot of hunting north of the border in those days, and left bushels of greenbacks up there, but no more. in 2006, we were scrutinized the least of any recent crossings. passports help, i'm convinced of that. i'm crossing a bunch this year, so i plan on smiling and handing over my passport, but if that tidy young blond with the glock on her hip wanted to search me, that would be ok too.

actually, i've got all kinds of border crossing stories, i just can't write them down here.

We have never had a border crossing problem at Sand Point! Smooth!

the ranger girls at Sand Point were friendly and courteous- Our tow boat guy said they hadnt seen a man in awhile.

They frightened me. Kind of stern for youngish girls.