I am looking for advice on using an outfitter on the north side of Quetico, probably around Atikokan. This is for renting canoes, sleeping place the night before our trip, and advice. Anybody have any recommendations and why?
Thanks,
FISHONFISHOFF

Suspect we'll rent boats from Canoe Canada in June, and spend the night at The White Otter again. Haven't rented from anyone up there, so can't speak 1st hand to that point, but The White Otter has served our needs in the past.

A lot f folks have recommended Doug Chapman at Quetico Outfitters

In fact, the one time I outfitted on North side I went to Doug. He is very engaging.

We've always planned our trips to arrive in Atikokan mid-afternoon, take care of business at the ranger station, then head to the White Otter. It's been a good plan in the past and I figure we'll continue using them as our night-before lodging.

Canoe Canada Outfitters is downtown and a nice place. I'm sure you'd be pleased with them.

The best deal on a place to stay and eat is Quetico College. They will feed you an evening meal, breakfast and a dorm room with private restroom for less than a night stay other places. It is near the French lake put-in.

http://www.queticocollegeschool.com/
http://www.queticocollegeschool.com/contact/

As mentioned before Doug Chapman is good for rentals and shuttles.
https://www.canadianqueticooutfitters.com/

My link for Doug Chapmans's place was incorrect. Magic Paddler has it correct.

Agree with MP.

Thanks for the replies. Next meeting is next week, so we should be able to decide on an outfitter then. This could take multiple brews to decide.

I have also used Doug Chapman for outfitting and shuttle and Quetico College School for lodging and meals. I will again.

Long time lurker, first time poster.
First, thank you guys. BWCA.com is awesome! It is addictive (in a good way)
Doug Chapman (https://www.canadianqueticooutfitters.com/) is the man.

Pescador - I think you found same url I did. MP had it correct.

Doug Chapman

Thanks Billconner. Link corrected.

pescador: " Long time lurker, first time poster.
First, thank you guys. BWCA.com is awesome! It is addictive (in a good way)
Doug Chapman (https://www.canadianqueticooutfitters.com/) is the man.
"

PESCADOR- welcome to the site. It looks as if I need to give Doug special consideration.

FISHONFISHOFF

I have used Quetico Canoe Outfitters and Canoe Canada. Both were good. Canoe Canada matches up closer to a US outfitter IMO. My bigger issue would be direction of travel and EP. If you are coming from the west and your EP is Beaverhouse then CC may be the more convenient choice. It's all good though.

Won't go wrong either way! Doug is awesome and Canoe Canada is great for helping with mapping a route.

I have not used them but IIRC Canoe Canada has a bunkhouse you can rent - if you outfit with them (correct?).

The Atikokan Hotel is a good place to stay if you want to get away from the motel option and use a B&B style hotel.

HighnDry: "The Atikokan Hotel is a good place to stay if you want to get away from the motel option and use a B&B style hotel."

+1 My wife and I stayed there. Very pleasant restored railroad hotel.

Another vote for Doug Champman at CQO for rentals, shuttles, route and fishing advice. He has extensive knowledge of the park. We usually stay at the White Otter (decent restaurant on site.)

I have also used Canoe Canada. We used them for canoe rentals and showers (very nice shower room.) However, one of the rental canoes was twisted and could not be steered properly without a huge struggle and constant cussing at the beast. When we returned from the trip, I voiced my concerns to the owner, who insultingly replied, "the problem was the paddlers." I politely told him we were 20 year+ paddling veterans and knew when a canoe was damaged. He pretty much brushed me off saying " I will check it later." No compensation nor apology was offered. As an employee was washing the canoe, I closely examined it and noted two obvious dents on both sides amidships. It had apparently been twisted by over ratcheting it down to a float plane. I will not use them again.

AndySG: "Another vote for Doug Champman at CQO for rentals, shuttles, route and fishing advice. He has extensive knowledge of the park. We usually stay at the White Otter (decent restaurant on site.)


I have also used Canoe Canada. We used them for canoe rentals and showers (very nice shower room.) However, one of the rental canoes was twisted and could not be steered properly without a huge struggle and constant cussing at the beast. When we returned from the trip, I voiced my concerns to the owner, who insultingly replied, "the problem was the paddlers." I politely told him we were 20 year+ paddling veterans and knew when a canoe was damaged. He pretty much brushed me off saying " I will check it later." No compensation nor apology was offered. As an employee was washing the canoe, I closely examined it and noted two obvious dents on both sides amidships. It had apparently been twisted by over ratcheting it down to a float plane. I will not use them again."

We make it a habit to inspect every canoe before the trip. This way we will not be liable for damages upon returning them. We have made an outfitter switch out canoes before one trip based out of Ely. He had no problem with our request.
FOFO

Canoe Canada is the best canoeing or outpost fly-in outfitter in NW Ontario, hands down. Lots of people like Doug because he'll drink a beer(or a case) with you or let you camp in his yard, but CC is a 12 hours a day/7 days a week professional outfitter. CC's knowledge and experience is vast. I doubt if Doug has paddled 1% of the water CC staff has and outfitting is their only business. (i.e., they don't run a sporting goods store in Thunder Bay.) --Goose

Doug Chapman