I've been kicking the idea around, but pretty much committed myself while cutting grass last night. Already have two others committed, and have an invite out to another that would complete the four that I want to stick to. Looking at June 1st to 8th 2019. I think we'll try a fly-in and paddle out trip. Our trips are normally 50 miles give or take, and we'll stay on one or two sites twice, and move daily otherwise. Fishing is a fairly high priority. Could hardly care less about walleye. SMB are it for us. Big NP and LT would be gravy. All are experienced canoe trippers. Single portagers. All hangers.

All that said, I'd sure appreciate thoughts on a lake or area to be dropped into, and a subsequent route "home".

For a fly-in/paddle out you should contact Harlan.
He has all the contacts for pilots and he has truck and water shuttles.

My recollection is that SMB aren't really plentiful up there. Might be some bass, but Wally's, LT and NP are the dominant species. But, again, Harlan has the scoop on that, too.

I'll echo jcavenagh...I think only a few lakes in the NW corner of the park have Smallmouth.

I'd imagine you could fly in to one of those lakes and paddle out...but for sure you'd be paddling for a couple days minimum outside of the SMB zone to get to an entry (exit) point.

SMB are only in the Bloodvein watershed. My experience was that there were a lot of them but not much for size. My experience was pretty limited though. Big northern and abundant walleye. If you all hang you probably want to avoid recent burn areas. (southern part) If you did both a fly in and fly out I would recommend starting on Artery Lake, spend some time on the Bloodvein on Mary's, Barclay, Musclow, Simeon, Dunston, and finish up on Royd,Constellation or Lightning. You would have to settle for lots of trashy walleye but big northern on the Bloodvein and Lakers on Royd.Very little portaging on the Bloodvein and you could focus on fishing.

I am heading to WCPP this June. I have not been there before.
With that said, your statement about being all about SMB, and Lake Trout and big Northerns are gravy...that describes my 3 days on McDougall Lake in Quetico last year.

Fly into Musclow lake and stay at camp Wolf Spider. Certainly the prettiest and fishiest lake I have yet come across in WCPP. Smallies are well established there by the abundance of small fry in the shallows. I caught numerous in the 15" class in August. I suspect better success on larger bass caught shallow in June.

The lake is covered up with walleye however. Pike are also abundant. I gave a good shot at lakers but struck out. Perhaps earlier in the year would be kinder.

As has already been mentioned the Bloodvein watershed is where you will find smallmouth. If fishing for Smallmouth was my major focus I would stick with the Quetico.

But for a wilderness canoe fishing experience WCPP is a unique place, smallmouths or not.

Camp wolf spider

Look at a fly-in to Royd :LT and NP. Fish Constellation for the same. Exit using Gammon River but go through Embryo to Hatchet and fish LT and NP there.

mastertangler: "Fly into Musclow lake and stay at camp Wolf Spider. Certainly the prettiest and fishiest lake I have yet come across in WCPP. Smallies are well established there by the abundance of small fry in the shallows. I caught numerous in the 15" class in August. I suspect better success on larger bass caught shallow in June.


The lake is covered up with walleye however. Pike are also abundant. I gave a good shot at lakers but struck out. Perhaps earlier in the year would be kinder.


As has already been mentioned the Bloodvein watershed is where you will find smallmouth. If fishing for Smallmouth was my major focus I would stick with the Quetico.


But for a wilderness canoe fishing experience WCPP is a unique place, smallmouths or not.


Camp wolf spider "

The site looks real nice. Kept you busy. But no fire pit? That would have been fun to build. And what kind of accent are you rockin’? Is that Ohio? Almost Chicago but not quite.

Accent? Other people have accents, not me :-)

Yes the site is rather awesome, if I do say so myself. My first day on the lake I had a hard time finding something to even spend one night never mind a week or more. I found a few 1 star sites. Now it is a destination lake IMO.

The location at the mouth of the river is ideal for several reasons. When you arrive you don't have to brave the big waters of the lake to find a site. You can also leave when you want. Throw in good fishing right from camp and it's a winner. There is a fire pit, it's just not quite as elaborate as I had planned.

I hope to make it back some day and will likely take someone next time. It can be fun playing guide at times.

I hope to go to WCCP next year. If I do I'll stop by the site and add some rocks to the fireplace. I do love rebuilding and cleaning up fire pits at sites in Quetico. Lots of satisfaction from a job well done.

TomT: "I hope to go to WCCP next year. If I do I'll stop by the site and ad some rocks to the fireplace. I do love rebuilding and cleaning up fire pits at sites in Quetico. Lots of satisfaction from a job well done.


"

That would be good. The front porch where I have started the fire pit would be visible from the water and a good clue as to there being a site there. I hope folks use it and enjoy it as much as I did. They would, however, have to pack up and leave should I arrive ;-)