Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Which Quetico lake do you want to get back to first?
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PineKnot |
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CardinalNation |
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cburton103 |
A fun question is: what lake or experience is a highlight of the first trip you would like to take once the border opens? I’ll go first. I really like exploring and seeing new corners of lakes I’ve been to or new lakes entirely. My paddling buddy is mostly there for fishing, some relaxation, and a sense of getting away from the grind for a while. I’ve pushed the pace more than he would probably like for most of our trips, and he is finally convincing me that we really like layover days, more time around camp and fishing, and less time breaking down and setting up camp. This year we were planning on a shorter first day in to Middle Roland, fishing for walleye evening then morning, and then pushing along to Ted. One layover day on Ted, then making a big push to Kahshapiwi, where we plan(ned) to spend 2-3 layover days before heading out. Those layover days we planned for Kahshapiwi were some of what I was looking forward to most in 2021. How about the rest of you? |
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tumblehome |
I imagine those lakes are still iced up and another quiet year is ahead for them with very few humans to paddle their water. Tom |
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Argo |
tumblehome: "The first lake I want to see again is Nym. I gotta start there to get to the rest of my trip. I want to see Pickerel and Sturgeon. Two lakes I want to see are Bentpine and Burntside. I have been all around them but never in them. I am fortunate that I can be there this July sweeping pine cones out of every site where we stay. |
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Jackfish |
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Banksiana |
mtn: "I'm curious to see what the portage to Gray Lake from Shade looks like." There is no portage from Grey to Shade (Shade to Unnamed east of Dell, Unnamed to Grey(. |
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BassmasterP |
Unless the customs station at Sandpoint opens this spring we will be putting in at Beaver House for the first time ever. The lake I most look forward to visiting is Bent pine. If we are fortunate enough to enter from the Minnesota side then, without a doubt, the lake I look most forward to visiting is the same now is it was when I first visited it many, many years ago... Wicksteed. If ever there was a lake I could spend a month on, this is it. Big smallmouth. Big pike. Day trips to Little Gratton to catch endless amounts of bass, Ballard for great eyes, Argo for trout, and Little Darky for.... well... I'll keep that a secret. Yes, after visiting so many other amazing lakes Wicksteed still holds that special place in my heart as the perfect day tripping like. In fact, I'm feeling so nostalgic right now that I will offer some honey hole fishing advice that I'm going to bet not many will take... Here it is. The portage from Little Darkwater to Brent is an absolute bear. I suffer through it every few years simply because it is such a beautiful hike. I hate myself afterwards, but it is worth the reward. Here's the tip: Do that portage without a pack on your back or a canoe on your shoulders... take only a spinning rod and a handful of senkos. Wade that creek from one end of the portage to the other and you will be rewarded with some of the biggest bass that you'd never thought would be hiding in such a simple little place. Tight lines and happy travels my friends. BMP |
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johno |
AdamXChicago: "Easy answer. Any of them. Seriously. So that's where we're going :-) |
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tumblehome |
I caught a northern on Bentpine that was so big I couldn't get it in my boat. I really didn't want to either and was able to safely get the Rapala out of his mouth. He went back in the water to live another day. Tom |
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Argo |
tumblehome: "Both Bentpine and Burntside are fantastic lakes. Bentpine has a super cool island campsite with a giant chain hanging on a tree that must weigh 300 pounds. Left from the logging days. Thanks Tumble. I know that site from my research. It's a couple of clicks up from the potage to March I believe? It's on my radar. I also just bought one of these. I don't ever bring a landing net and this looks like a good solution. It doesn't sound like a net would have done you much good with your leviathan either. |
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Captn Tony |
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TomT |
My first trip back will have me going through there up into Kahshahpiwi and beyond. |
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Hoaf |
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goblu79 |
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jdddl8 |
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Mocha |
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Banksiana |
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HighnDry |
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BassmasterP |
1) Wicksteed 2) Brent (undisclosed trophy [20" - 24"] bronzeback hole) 3) Ted PMR |
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AdamXChicago |
The past two years were the only time I haven’t been to Quetico in decades. Really felt a void in my summers (missing the trip planning, backpacking and paddling local lakes in preparation for my usual journey). Just thinking of being there again is just so special, almost spiritual, to me. Hoping to do a Sturgeon and Russell trip in June to skirt some of the burn area will almost be like a homecoming of sorts. Counting the days… AdamX |
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cburton103 |
AdamXChicago: "Easy answer. Any of them. Seriously. I plan to be in that area end of May through early June! Looks pretty likely to have some mighty cold water still. |
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Stumpy |
But that No Name East of Dack, would be fun. |
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cburton103 |
Banksiana: "Marj, Unnamed, Louisa, Ted. " I've only passed through Marj once, but there's something intriguing about a lake where most of the likely minimal traffic is way away from the main body of the lake and most of the campsites. I'll have to put it on the list of places to check out for a couple days sometime. That whole area from Marj/Burt/Joyce to the Kahshahpiwi chain is pretty awesome. |
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cburton103 |
goblu79: "Had trips planned in 2020 and 2021 to go to Kahshawpiwi. After that...Joyce or Marj. " That whole area is great. Such clear water, and doesn’t see much traffic in my experience. I can’t wait to get back there myself! Planning on my first northern entry in a couple months. Bringing my usual tripping buddy and a couple newbies along. Looking forward to coffee on a big rocky point each morning followed by searching for fish. Can’t wait! |
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GraniteCliffs |
I say enough. Bring back the RABC. Put an APB out for Jason and open up Prairie. It is time. The sand is slipping through the hour glass for some of us. I still think we have a good shot. That may qualify me as an eternal optimist but hope springs eternal. |
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jillpine |
Banksiana: "I love Marj for the stunning clarity of the water. Unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask. beautiful! |
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mpswid0 |
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HighnDry |
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TrailZen |
GraniteCliffs: "Inlet Bay. And then up, up and away back to Paradise. Wherever in Quetico we go. +1 TZ |
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Captn Tony |
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Eyedocron |
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Banksiana |
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GraniteCliffs |
So many favorite lakes in Quetico. So many favorite campsites. So many wonderful memories of trips gone by. So little time....................................... |
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Wally13 |
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tumblehome |
Banksiana: "I love Marj for the stunning clarity of the water. Unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask. Great picture! I read about how the zebra mussel is improving water clarity in a bad way. I think the story was about Mille Lacs Lake and how the water clarity has improved remarkably over the years since the mussel filters the water. The bad part of this is that walleye do not prefer clear water, and the filtered water contains food and nutrients other creatures need to survive. I’m not saying this is happening on Marj, that’s a different ecosystem. But I see water clarity differently now than before. No pun. Tom |
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GraniteCliffs |
PineKnot: "Doesn't really matter to me which Quetico lake....just can't wait to get away from the BWCA crowds from last year and what looks like another crowded season this year...." Amen to that thought. My solo in early June will not provide the same level of solitude the Q provides. It will be fun but not the same as all the prior solo trips across the border. |
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TrailZen |
TZ |
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Mo63021 |
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SummerSkin |
Also Brent. I love how the lake is just one long winding channel, with some beautiful landscapes, and great fishing. |
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Stumpy |
GraniteCliffs: "Quetico lies waiting. I can't wait to return. All true |
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HighnDry |
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mtn |
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