Quetico Questions

[smallmouthjoe]

Hello everyone,

Well in about a year I will hopefully be receiving my BS in biology and to reward my self for countless hours of work and sacrifice I've decided that I will go on a great adventure the summer after I graduate. Ive researched many places and there's thousands of great places to go for a great fishing trip in North America. But I just don't want a great fishing trip, I want to go as far as I can out in the wild as well. From what I hear Quetico park offers both great fishing and vast open wilderness that is, for the most part, left untouched. I know of the permit you must obtain and I know about most of the fishing regulations, what I'm wondering is if I've missed anything? Like, what is the policy on camping? Do I need to bring all my own fire wood? Is being armed something that is prohibited? What's the bear situation, I know it's grizzly country?

I would really like to have any input from anyone who has been there. It's a big trip for me, my first trip outside of the country. I'm sure I should apply for a passport immediately in order to get it in time. I do have a year and a half to figure all of this out and I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row. Any help would be great.

Thanks

[Guest]

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[smallmouthjoe]

  On 3/2/2011 at 1:50 PM, siusaluki said:

No grizzly's up there, just black bears. Most of the problem bears are in the boundary waters and are a nuisance since people don't know how to keep a clean campsite. I haven't been to quetico, just the boundary waters on the US side. Plenty of downed trees for firewood, just bring a small hatchet and a bow saw. I know you will need to bring your own grill grate into quetico, and try to camp at the established campsites to lessen your footprint. I don't believe there are latrines like there are in the BWCA. The fishing is going to be VERY good, you will have a great time.

this website should help

http://bwca.com/

Thanks for the info. i didn't know if there were some kind of restrictions on taking downed wood for fire. I'm really looking forward to the trip even though it's a year away. I've heard that the best time to go and catch smallies is in June or July. When do you usually go up the boundary waters?

[Outside Bend]

You'll need a passport to get into Quetico, and firewood isn't allowed across the Canadian border.

You may try to check out some of the package deals provided by local outfitters- often they can provide everything you need (canoe, tent, sleeping bag, food, camp stoves, waterproof gear bags, etc) for as little as $50/night. It can be a lot cheaper, and less hassle, then rounding up and packing your own gear.

I've been to Boundary waters in June and had excellent smallmouth, walleye, and pike fishing, my guess is the same would hold true for Quetico. But I'd get on the phone or look up some local guides and outfitters and pick their brains on it.

[Guest]

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[Smalliebigs]

Joe, I have done Quetico twice with the same outfitter My link I like these guys because they will provide everything you need or if you insist on bringing your own stuff other than fishing equipment they will discount the price off what you bring up there. The bottom line in my opinion to do Quetico right you will need a little assitance from an outfitter...just my opinion and heres why. When I went up there I was only wanting to catch Smallies and some areas and lakes don't have the population of smallies you are going to want.Some lakes are loaded with Pike and thats just about all you will catch there. These guys when I told them I wanted smallies flew me into an area further north out of Ely, MN that was a smallie palyground we caught a few pikes but we averaged about 80 smallies a day beteween me and my uncle some would push 5 pounds.We chose the complete kevlar outfit which provided us with everything from a satilite phone to detailed topo trip maps for our journey.Some people would rather rough it a little more but I didn't want to haul the amount of gear they provide with this outfit. Man have fun and your in for a trip of a lifetime!!!! P.S. try to go before the mosquitos hatch up there otherwise you will be a giant blood bank it can get kind of crazy back up in there.

[smallmouthjoe]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Thanks for the link SB, those folks are probably going to be who I get in contact with to plan the trip. I'll bring all my own camping stuff and food so that should save me some money.

[24KGold]

  On 3/4/2011 at 1:53 PM, smallmouthjoe said:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Thanks for the link SB, those folks are probably going to be who I get in contact with to plan the trip. I'll bring all my own camping stuff and food so that should save me some money.

I've tripped into Quetico several times and have always brought my own gear. I've never gone in at Ely, I've always gone in on the eastern edge of Quetico at the end of the Gunflint Trail. A lot less people there. If you want a more remote area and far fewer people then I would suggest that entry point.

We always catch loads of fish when we go in late June and the Walleye are incredible. I'm going late June this year and again in early August. We use an outfitter for canoe rental and shuttle to the lake only. Let me know if you want any more ideas or thoughts. Quetico is a great place!

Terry

[watermen]

It's a great place to fish and camp. I always went in on the east side on the gunflint as well. I do have an old fishing partner that I fish with in Alaska that is from crane lake. His family has a lodge and outfitting service on the west side of the park. I know that they run both motor and paddle trips. His boys are about your age, but they spend june and july in AK as well. He would be a good contact for you as well and the west side is less crowded than ely area if your looking for wilderness or the kind you can find in the lower 48. His wife runs the outfitter side mostly,but he would be a guy you could call as a great resource if nothing else no bs individual and grew up up there. talked to him this morning and theres snow still in the woods. Reminds me why I came south. His number is 218 9666647, that's his cell so use it on the weekends or evenings please just tell him guff gave you his number and enjoy your trip it is a fun place just stay out of bug season, there like nothing you've ever experienced trust me on this. Camp on islands and the bears are no problem. The other guy was right no griz that area, but blacks can ruin a tent in short order, then your cold and wet. Part of the fun of backwoods camping is what you have with you is it, adds something to the trip. Have fun.

[Mark]

  On 5/6/2011 at 3:49 PM, watermen said:

It's a great place to fish and camp. I always went in on the east side on the gunflint as well. I do have an old fishing partner that I fish with in Alaska that is from crane lake. His family has a lodge and outfitting service on the west side of the park. I know that they run both motor and paddle trips. His boys are about your age, but they spend june and july in AK as well. He would be a good contact for you as well and the west side is less crowded than ely area if your looking for wilderness or the kind you can find in the lower 48. His wife runs the outfitter side mostly,but he would be a guy you could call as a great resource if nothing else no bs individual and grew up up there. talked to him this morning and theres snow still in the woods. Reminds me why I came south. His number is 218 9666647, that's his cell so use it on the weekends or evenings please just tell him guff gave you his number and enjoy your trip it is a fun place just stay out of bug season, there like nothing you've ever experienced trust me on this. Camp on islands and the bears are no problem. The other guy was right no griz that area, but blacks can ruin a tent in short order, then your cold and wet. Part of the fun of backwoods camping is what you have with you is it, adds something to the trip. Have fun.

I am printing information on fishing the area for a bunch of rookies who are planning a trip next June. We will probably be staying in a cabin on the Sea Gull River near the end of the Gunflint Trail. Lakes close by are Sea Gull, Saganaga, and smaller lakes near the cabin are Romance Lake and Gulf Lake. Any info on where specifically on lakes, how, what to use, what to look for, any fishing advice for some guys who will be making their first fishing trip to the Great North would be appreciated. I will print and share with the group. Hopefully, some of you veterans will share experiences and advice for the group.

Thanks, Mark