We have a group of 4 men (and my dog) in our mid twenties who have all been to the BW before multiple times. I'm scouting out a route for this years trip and I want something remote, challenging and with good fishing. I say challenging but I don't mean super long portages because nobody likes those. I'd like to spend a couple days across the border in Quetico as well.

Right now my thought is EP 16, go up through Iron lake into Quetico, spend a couple days on Argo Lake and then make our way to exiting at EP 23.

Any thoughts on that route? Or any better ideas?

Thanks in advance

You might consider catching a tow* up to Quetico's Prairie Portage ranger station from Moose Lake & paddling north, through Burke, then there's a nice island campsite on NE Basswood-North Bay & others close by. From there you can head NE through the S Chain, or (for a more modest route) go East thru South, Jeff, East Lakes to Agnes Lake, which has Louisa Falls & the famous "Bathtub" and some pictographs., then come back through Sunday Lake, and back down to your starting point. You can arrange a tow back or just paddle the several hours back to the Moose Lake parking lot.

Did this last August with my brother's family. We had good fishing in Basswood and Sunday Lakes for smallys and walleye. We spent two nights each at three top notch sites.

There's trip reports around of folks who've done the S Chain. You can do this with a Basswood/Lake Agnes basecamp Quetico permit too. (You need day permits for the BWCA section)

*we used Spirit of the Wilderness outfitter-good folks

ManAndDog: "We have a group of 4 men (and my dog) in our mid twenties who have all been to the BW before multiple times. I'm scouting out a route for this years trip and I want something remote, challenging and with good fishing. I say challenging but I don't mean super long portages because nobody likes those. I'd like to spend a couple days across the border in Quetico as well.

Right now my thought is EP 16, go up through Iron lake into Quetico, spend a couple days on Argo Lake and then make our way to exiting at EP 23.

Any thoughts on that route? Or any better ideas?

Thanks in advance

"

Great route for 7 days. Should be easily done at your age/experience with a vehicle or outfitter ride at exit ep. Leaves you 2=3 days to OR from argo to fish along if so inclined.

Last I knew there would be no legal way to do your route.

Not crossing the boarder but gets you in there.This is called the Three Rivers Loop. 100 miles 54 portages. Did it in 5 days with another person but we hauled butt each day.. Double portaged using an Old Town Discovery 17 (80lbs). Did it when I was 30. Start at Lake 1 head east to Lake Alice, to kawishiwi River to Malberg, Head South to Kawishiwi Lake. 3 mile portage down the road to Hog Creek ( we hitched a ride). Hog Creek to Pernet Lake. Parent River to Isabella Lake. Isabella River to Gabbro Lake back up to Lake One. You can start at another EP. there's a few along the way.

mgraber: "Last I knew there would be no legal way to do your route."

Because of having to visit a Quetico ranger station right? I wonder if one of the Crane Lake tows would let you check in at the Lac La Croix ranger station and then take you to the Bottle Portage. As long as you pay for the days you intend to stay in Q and have a RABC, you should be good to cross from Iron into Argo a few days into the trip, stay there, then come back to BWCA for the exit right?

flynn: "

mgraber: "Last I knew there would be no legal way to do your route."

Because of having to visit a Quetico ranger station right? I wonder if one of the Crane Lake tows would let you check in at the Lac La Croix ranger station and then take you to the Bottle Portage. As long as you pay for the days you intend to stay in Q and have a RABC, you should be good to cross from Iron into Argo a few days into the trip, stay there, then come back to BWCA for the exit right?"

This is news to me, good thing I asked. So if I am understanding correct, you cannot legally enter the Quetico side without visiting a Quetico ranger station first? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!

Blatz: "Not crossing the boarder but gets you in there.This is called the Three Rivers Loop. 100 miles 54 portages. Did it in 5 days with another person but we hauled butt each day.. Double portaged using an Old Town Discovery 17 (80lbs). Did it when I was 30. Start at Lake 1 head east to Lake Alice, to kawishiwi River to Malberg, Head South to Kawishiwi Lake. 3 mile portage down the road to Hog Creek ( we hitched a ride). Hog Creek to Pernet Lake. Parent River to Isabella Lake. Isabella River to Gabbro Lake back up to Lake One. You can start at another EP. there's a few along the way."

Sounds like a good trip! Thank you, will definitely be looking into this!

ManAndDog: "

flynn: "

mgraber: "Last I knew there would be no legal way to do your route."

Because of having to visit a Quetico ranger station right? I wonder if one of the Crane Lake tows would let you check in at the Lac La Croix ranger station and then take you to the Bottle Portage. As long as you pay for the days you intend to stay in Q and have a RABC, you should be good to cross from Iron into Argo a few days into the trip, stay there, then come back to BWCA for the exit right?"

This is news to me, good thing I asked. So if I am understanding correct, you cannot legally enter the Quetico side without visiting a Quetico ranger station first? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!"

From what I understand, you can cross the border for travel without a permit, due to a treaty, which is why you can use the Bottle Lake portage, the one by Lower Basswood Falls, etc, on the Canada side, without a permit. For fishing or exploration, you need a Remote Access Border Crossing (RABC) permit, and for fishing, an Ontario fishing license. That is only for day trips however. If you want to stay overnight in Q, then you have to visit a ranger station and pay for each night you'll be staying there, and they'll do a gear inspection and make sure you know the rules and all that good stuff. But only for overnights. You can get the RABC and fishing license online so you don't need to visit a ranger station.

flynn: "

ManAndDog: "

flynn: "

mgraber: "Last I knew there would be no legal way to do your route."

Because of having to visit a Quetico ranger station right? I wonder if one of the Crane Lake tows would let you check in at the Lac La Croix ranger station and then take you to the Bottle Portage. As long as you pay for the days you intend to stay in Q and have a RABC, you should be good to cross from Iron into Argo a few days into the trip, stay there, then come back to BWCA for the exit right?"

This is news to me, good thing I asked. So if I am understanding correct, you cannot legally enter the Quetico side without visiting a Quetico ranger station first? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!"

From what I understand, you can cross the border for travel without a permit, due to a treaty, which is why you can use the Bottle Lake portage, the one by Lower Basswood Falls, etc, on the Canada side, without a permit. For fishing or exploration, you need a Remote Access Border Crossing (RABC) permit, and for fishing, an Ontario fishing license. That is only for day trips however. If you want to stay overnight in Q, then you have to visit a ranger station and pay for each night you'll be staying there, and they'll do a gear inspection and make sure you know the rules and all that good stuff. But only for overnights. You can get the RABC and fishing license online so you don't need to visit a ranger station."

Great info, thank you