BWCA East of Quetico on Crown Land Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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gonorth1
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04/09/2018 04:24PM  
Does anyone have any experience and or information about paddling on the Crown Land due east of Quetico or north of the the Gunflint Trail? I know you can drive to Northern Light Lake and that motors are permitted on this lake and I'd guess any other lake you can get to from Northern Light.

For example if a person continued due east from Saganagons Lake what are the fees? Any experience with the portages? How would one go about paying the fees or obtaining a permit from the U.S. side. As usual, your feedback is much appreciated.
 
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tumblehome
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04/10/2018 08:42PM  
It's been a long time since I camped on Northern Lights Lake. There are motor boats on the lake and the main portages are large enough to haul boats. I remember a portage where there were elevated logs like a railroad track and you would slide your motor boat along the logs. Someone in your group would wet the logs with water to make them slippery.

Since it is not a wilderness it's pretty much anything goes. Cans, bottles, picnic tables, whatever. I camped on crown in the far north last year and you simply need to purchase a crown land permit for $5 a night. I bought mine at a small sporting goods store. I found the location online before I went up there.

I'm not trying to paint a dismal picture of camping outside of the Q but just know it is different in regards to the activity. I would guess that you would find amazing solitude off the beaten path. And Northern Lights Lake is plenty big and is a great fishing lake.

Tom
gonorth1
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04/12/2018 08:16PM  
Thanks for the info. By the lack of replies it's apparent not many folks on this forum camp on Crown land. Northern Light Lake is not a lake I'd have any desire to use. Instead I was just trying to share my limited understanding of the area, knowing that motors can be used there. My primary interest is on the smaller lakes of Crown land where motorized watercraft would seem difficult to use. For example if a person has paddled east out of Quetico into Crown land what has their experience been. Are sites easily found on the smaller lakes? Are portages passable? Sometimes with light use, the portages can be blocked by numerous downed trees. Are the campsites clean or trashed?Again thanks for your reply.
napinch
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05/01/2018 12:47PM  
There are several on this board that have experience in camping on crown land. I go north of Brightstand Provincial park which in north east of Quetico and just south of Woodland Caribou. If you are from the US, then you need to pay a $9/night camp fee and have a Canadian fishing license if you want to fish. You can pay for both of these in bait or hardware stores or online if you do not want to purchase after crossing the border. We actually use square end canoes with small out boards on the lakes that we travel. Far enough off the beaten path that you won't see regular motor boats, but not true canoe routes either.

Hope that helps
 
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