I have always enjoyed, through 25 trips, the absence of electronic gadgets. Not part of the natural experience. Only time I am aware of this is 10 years ago someone snuck along a cell phone and actually reported making a call uphill from Bell Lake in the upper Man chain.
This year we plan to go to Pickeral Lake and I may need to be reached about a niece with cancer. Pickeral is not deep into the Quetico, the eastern part is near French Lake campground and the western part not far from Nym.
Has anyone knowledge about cell signals on the lake, and if so, what parts?
thanks. Eyedocron

Although I'm somewhat conflicted by reporting this, but I understand your need for communication.

I'm willing to bet you'd get an adequate signal on Pickerel Lake. There's a large AT&T tower in Atikokan that's visible from the Dawson Trail Campground on French Lake, unfortunately. ("Moose" from Morris Camp informed me that the tower that's seen from French Lake was in fact AT&T.)

Although I haven't called from the campground, I did place a call to my wife from the Nym Lake EP parking lot a few years ago, (August of 2012). The reception and connection were crystal clear from the Nym Lake parking area, for what it's worth.)

Just to clear my conscience, that is the only time I have used a cell phone anywhere near Quetico! :-)

Hans Solo

Thank you. I hope I do not even need to need to turn the phone on.

I've entered at Stanton Bay 3 times. On two of the trips we got back early & were able to call Canoe Canada to come get us.. hope this helps!

Stayed on Emerald island several times and cell phones worked fine. Verizon not so much but AT&T worked well. Hope this helps.