BWCA Best Quetico Fishing? Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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billgkna11
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12/29/2011 05:50PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
My son and I are looking for a 5-6 Quetico trip with really good fishing and scenery. Lasy tear we went to Shan Walshe and thought the fishing was very good(towed to Prairie Portage). We are looking for a trip where we can have some overnights or basecamping to really devote some time to fishing (and not be constantly on the move, if possible). Fishing is most important, and scenery is also important. Any ideas for a trip where we could catch some big pike, walleye and maybe lakers? I'd appreciate all ideas, withh specifics as much as possible. Thanks!
 
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12/29/2011 06:02PM  
check out poo bah lake,great fishing.
12/29/2011 06:32PM  
Don't go to Saganagons Jun 1 - 9. The lake is fished out of walleyes and lakers... nothing but bass! You would not have a good time here competeing for limited campsites, poor scenery, and no wildlife. When are you going?
billgkna11
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12/29/2011 06:40PM  
We're going June 24 to July 2, from Rochester, Michigan.
12/29/2011 09:22PM  
A great travel and fishing trip would be to Emerald and Carp, then complete the Man Chain to Saganagons. Lakers and walleye and scenery. Could be a little crowded on the Man Chain that time of year, but still nice. Winter edition of BWJ reviewed most of the Saganagons campsites, including 2-3 of my favorites... I have been there on 18 trips. The far east end is pretty quiet.
Widespreadpanic
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12/30/2011 12:54PM  
I would suggest Burke or Sunday lakes.

1. Doesn't take long to get there.
2. Most people just pass through but the fishing is quite good.
3. The lakes surrounding the above mentioned ie. Anchor, Poacher, Meadows offer what your looking for.
Beemer01
Moderator
  
12/30/2011 02:38PM  
Lakers are really deep that time of year - difficult to fish and to catch. If you do snag one, pulling it up from 100' down kills it.

Scenery and great fishing - I'd do the Falls Chain up to Kanwipi - great to outstanding fishing all the way through - you can do the Chain to Kawnipi in a long day - base camp on Kawnipi and catch fish until you're exhausted. Go back the same route if time is critical.

billgkna11
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12/30/2011 08:34PM  
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Please keep them coming. This is very helpful.
12/31/2011 06:41AM  
How 'bout McEwen? Halfway down the Falls Chain, take a left, and head to the south end of the lake. Nice lake, good fishing, and scenery. Lakers rest near the bottom in 45' of water all summer.
12/31/2011 07:46AM  
BRENT!!!!
12/31/2011 12:03PM  
Shhhhhhhh! Quetico is fished out, We had a terrible time, had to keep releasing fish.....:-)

Hands got tired of all that pesky reeling. See our trip report for details.
PineKnot
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12/31/2011 09:23PM  
Planning a Quetico fishing trip late-June with my son and a couple of his 20-yr old buds who love to hunt and fish. We're thinking of getting a tow to/from Crane Lake to either Black Robe or Bottle River, fishing Wicksteed, Darky, Elk, Argo, Crooked and Iron. With 7-8 days, we should be able to have 3 or 4 campsites/layovers and catch trophies of all four major species in these lakes. Normally, I travel more than this, but the boys want to have more time to fish. Just food for thoughts.

01/02/2012 10:41AM  
quote Beemer01: "Lakers are really deep that time of year - difficult to fish and to catch. If you do snag one, pulling it up from 100' down kills it.

"

Depends on the weather. I've had lakers hit lures on the surface in early August. Last summer (late July) on Sarah caught lakers one after another on cranks that dove down 15-17' sometimes in less than 20' of water. So ya never know. I have found this pattern to be more common than not, on bigger lakes at least.

T
Beemer01
Moderator
  
01/02/2012 01:26PM  
OK, I do stand corrected - anyhow I've never been able to catch Lakers shallow in late season.

I believe I'm correct when I say that there are few if any Lakers in Kawnipi (a bit too shallow) and certainly none in the Falls Chain.

There are however a LOT of smallies, Northerns and Walleyes!
Bushwacker
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01/03/2012 11:07AM  
quote Beemer01: "I believe I'm correct when I say that there are few if any Lakers in Kawnipi (a bit too shallow) and certainly none in the Falls Chain.

According to this trip report there are deep holes in Kawnipi.

"...Was happy to reach the south end of Rose Island and turn east so I could coast for awhile. There was some deeper water, so I did a little wind trolling, and enjoyed a cup of coffee. By the time I got to my turn south it was 120' deep. The wind was doable, and I made the run across to the eastern shoreline. A man solo fishing on the west shoreline of the main lake is only the second party I have seen today. ..."

Kawnipi holes
01/03/2012 12:25PM  
quote Bushwacker: "
quote Beemer01: "I believe I'm correct when I say that there are few if any Lakers in Kawnipi (a bit too shallow) and certainly none in the Falls Chain.

According to this trip report there are deep holes in Kawnipi.

"...Was happy to reach the south end of Rose Island and turn east so I could coast for awhile. There was some deeper water, so I did a little wind trolling, and enjoyed a cup of coffee. By the time I got to my turn south it was 120' deep. The wind was doable, and I made the run across to the eastern shoreline. A man solo fishing on the west shoreline of the main lake is only the second party I have seen today. ..."

Kawnipi holes "


I have heard there are trout in Kawnipi in these "holes" but I have never actually talked to a real person who has caught trout in Kawnipi. It was alwasy "a friend told me...." That usually means the fishing is limited or non existent. I'd agree with Beemer01 on this...Kawnipi has awesone fishing for about everything don't waste your valuable time on trout.

T

billgkna11
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01/03/2012 12:46PM  
For the sake of argument (or lack of same), let's say the primary target isn't lake trout, but rather, size/numbers of pike and walleye... Do I go to Saganagons or Kawnipi, or...?
Beemer01
Moderator
  
01/03/2012 12:54PM  
Both are quite good, Kawnipi gets less pressure and has countless fantastic 'holes' where you can catch Northerns and Walleyes until your arm aches.

See this trip report -

Kawnipi Fishing - noted

If you decide to go up the Falls Chain and want to locate the 'saddle' we found send me an email and I'll make sure you find it. There are probably a thousand others like it on this Arm of Kawnipi.
golanibutch
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01/04/2012 07:53PM  
Just a thought: depending on how old your son is and/or how many layover days you want, you may consider taking agnes all the way up to Kawnipi rather than going through the Falls Chain. I think the Falls Chain probably will add time/portages. You sort of need to retrace steps to get out a bit, but you can cut through the s chain so you're not doing the exact route.

Make sense to all?

Butch
billgkna11
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01/05/2012 07:16AM  
Hey Butch,

My son is 22, and a pretty big guy (plays rugby). I was kinda wondering about the amount of time it would take going in via the Falls chain, and want to make sure we aren't feeling like we're on a "forced march" the whole time, although I had heard it was nice scenery. I'd like to have one more day to work with, but there's only so much vacation! Thanks for the suggestion -- I'll look at that, and would appreciate any counterpoints from others.
Beemer01
Moderator
  
01/05/2012 08:48AM  
Falls Chain is quite Scenic and you can get from Sag to Kenny - or for that matter Kawnipi in a day. As you might imagine, the Falls Chain portages are probably 10,000 years old - give or take - and not difficult.

The Lake Agnes route is great and on a calm day you can cover the 19 miles quickly, but requires a Prairie Portage EP. And if there are North winds Agnes can be difficult heading up to Kawnipi.
 
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