Say I want to enter Quetico from the Gunflint trail area.

1)I need BWCA permit to paddle/get a tow from the US?

2)I NEED to go to Customs on Saganaga Lake, since the CANPASS remote entry permit is not valid for entering Canada from here?

3)I NEED to go to the Ranger station in Cache Bay to enter Quetico?

4)Where do I get the fishing license?

I'd like to start the trip with a tow to customs, since I think I need to get to customs first. But if you add that stop, and a paddle to and stop at the Ranger Station in Cache Bay...first day not likely to get very far into Quetico, find a nice lake, nice campsite, and get some fishing in. Not complaining, the logistics keep the crowds down, I'm sure.

Do I have the logistics straight?

If you get a tow to/from Hook Island on Sag you do NOT need a BW permit. if you plan to paddle either direction but not camp overnight in the BW then you just fill out the day pass for each of those days you're paddling across Sag. If you plan to camp on Sag in the BW then you do need an overnight paddle permit and should reserve that for the entire length of your trip.
If your tow is to American Point (this is in the BW) then you DO need a day paddle pass.

there is no customs on Sag, you need to apply for that through the Canadian immigration RABC form and carry it with you on the trip. the purpose of the RABC is because there is no customs station.

if you plan to fish you also need to get your Canadian outdoors card and license on-line canada fishing .

you need a Quetico permit for an entry through Cache Bay (Man Chain, Falls Chain, Knife Lake, Boundary Point or Mack lake (fly in only, I think). you would check in at the Ranger station in Cache Bay and pay your remaining camping fees at that time.

Janice can also help you with questions about your route (have your maps) and will tell you if there is bear issues, or water level issues...

Mocha, thanks very much for the info and taking the time to reply!
I thought there WAS a customs station on "government" or hook island on the CND side of the Sag.

I wasn't sure about the remote entry because where does entry from Sag and Cache bag fall into this list?

"The CANPASS RABC program facilitates the border clearance process for individuals wishing to cross the border into Canada in the following remote areas:

•from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods
•the Canadian shore of Lake Superior
•Cockburn Island
•Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system)"

So I can get a RABC, paddle to the ranger station with a day use BWCA pass, and be off into Quetico?

thanks,
Joe

...and then when arriving back in the US, report to US customs in Grand Marais with your passport to be totally legal.

quote joewildlife: "I thought there WAS a customs station on "government" or hook island on the CND side of the Sag."

You are correct Joe Wildlife, there WAS a Canadian Customs Station on Saganaga Lake. It's my understanding that as of 1998, the Customs Station on Saganaga Lake was closed. (The RABC system has essentially eliminated the requirement of stopping at the Saganaga Lake Customs Station.)

The picture below was of that Customs Station taken September 29th, 1997. So it's possible that my group and I were one of the last Quetico visitors to use this cabin for its intended purpose.

And yes, we did stop in Grand Marais and check-in with U.S. Customs at the conclusion of our Quetico trip.

Hans Solo

Do you happen to have any other pictures of the old Canadian Customs Station on Saganaga Lake?

Funny, I know I was there a few times, but could never picture it until I saw that photo. One trip, they made us unpack everything we had onto the dock.