Just received this from Quetico Backcountry Operations so passing it on FYI

Hello,
You are likely wondering much like ourselves when we can be on the water and also be able to update guests on lake/ice conditions.
There is still plenty of ice on the lakes as many of you are likely aware.
We analysed sat imagery and compared conditions to previous years and we think that ice out is going to be really close to opening weekend. 3 scenarios could play out:

1) Everything goes fine and we get the park open like normal
2) There is still ice cover on May 18th and no one can enter the backcountry
3) The lakes are open by the 18th but the ranger stations are still closed and are a week behind because it takes 4 days (given perfect weather) to get them all open.

Self-serve options for the backcountry will be available if by chance we can’t open our stations. Reservation holders will be given the chance to re-book. As of now we are unsure if we won’t be open but are trying to keep guests aware and updated.

Updates will be posted to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/QueticoPP/

Tracking ice conditions can also be found on - https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/ ( it is best to click on yesterday’s date)

Hope it all goes well for you
cs
Chris Stromberg | A/Backcountry Operations Specialist
Atikokan, Ontario, P0T-1C0
Cell: 807-598-1074 W: OntarioParks.com

I'm confused by #2. We're self permitting on the 14th. #2 makes it sound like we're not allowed on the water if ice is present.

Eagleson: "I'm confused by #2. We're self permitting on the 14th. #2 makes it sound like we're not allowed on the water if ice is present."

I think they assume you wouldn't want to go if there was ice present.