So my son wants to do a trip into the Q, going out of Moose and through Prairie Portage. He wants to hit the water about May 20. Anyone have any idea how crowded it is that early in the season on a Monday morning?

Thanks

I can't speak to that early, but just a week and a half later, on June 1 (a Friday), there was no competition for my friends and I to get a tow to the Birch portage. We were up early, had breakfast (no other diners/campers), and hit the water. We saw a few people leaving Knife on our way in on the first day, but saw very few people the whole trip until we got to Ima and Ensign. It was probably even less busy in Quetico during that time. My guess is you will probably not have an issue with crowding in late May in the BWCA let alone Quetico!

I think May 20 was super close to ice out in 2018, which was pretty late. I remember reading about a few cancelled trips. It was really cold all the way through April basically! Check the historic weather for May 20, see if it's a viable time to go. If you're traveling from far away, then changing your trip or travel plans may be difficult, so if anything, I personally would err on the side of caution and go a little later, if it looks like it will be similar to last year's late ice out. I understand you might want the spring fishing action though so yeah. That's why I want to go in early June again even though the mosquitoes were pretty active!

My prediction is you will be lonely.

Ice is generally done by the first week of May. Last year (18) was a little late but Moose Lake was free by 5/7. There will be some traffic, especially on your return when you'll be pushing up against the Holiday weekend.