What first attracted me to the BWCA is the fishing. It's my favorite recreation! Well, I've read that Quetico's fishing is far better than the BWCA because there's only about 1/10th as many people in Quetico.

I've heard that Woodland Caribou sees far fewer people than Quetico. And I've heard that the fishing in WCPP is amazing (aside from the sad fact that there are few if any smallmouth there).

I'm wondering... how much better is the fishing in WCPP versus Quetico?

Also, does WCPP have the same no-bait, no-barbed hooks regulations that Quetico has?

Hmmm. Kinda surprised no one has answered this question yet.

My experience is 2 early September trips into the BWCA, one mid June trip to the Q, and one mid June trip to WCPP.
First solo BWCA trip up Stuart River I had a 36 hour stretch without seeing anyone. second BWCA trip saw people every day. Trip to Quetico, I saw people every day. On my trip to WCPP, I went 4 days without seeing another person.

Fishing was good in BWCA, and amazing in Quetico and WCPP. With my limited experience, I would say that WCPP is clearly better fishing. I never got skunked, and the fish were generally larger. Also, for species like Lake Trout, there are lakes in WCPP where you are all but guaranteed to catch them.

I pinch down all barbs for my canoe trips now, easier to remove them from ME in the middle of nowhere, not to mention ease of unhooking that monster Northern! So I am not sure if it is required. I also don't like to hassle with live bait.

Today I emailed Harlan from Red Lake Outfitters with a few fishing questions and he got back to me right away with some insight on his methods. Then he tied a bow on it.

"Fishing is the easiest part of this trip."

Fishing success in WCPP!!
One canoe partner insisted on trolling from camp as he headed to the bay he wanted to fish. He had the audacity to complain that he could never get there as he was always having to release another fish.

Another time a son turned to his father and said "Dad, I've never caught fish like this.

One day the plane could not pick us up. I told the others we needed fish as the larder was pretty low. Twenty minutes later I felt guilty for the number of fish I saw being caught and waved everyone back to camp.

One man did not like Northern Pike and was displeased when a 40+ incher started pulling his canoe around!!

Marten spends quite a bit of time in the park. You might think those are tall tales or "fish stories", but from my 8 day experience, I believe them all. Several times I had to put the rod away so I could make progress to my goal for the day.

Thank you all! I appreciate the insight! Someday, hopefully I will make it to Woodland!

Although I wasn’t fishing for Pike on one trip (along the Bloodvein River), I did catch 4 that were over 40”.

On that same trip I also got into Walleye. They were hitting so aggressively that I made the mistake of laying my rod down with a half-inch of the lure in the water. Another one was on before I was able to release my previous catch. This was not the only time this has happened in WCPP.

dd

The fishing in WCPP is great.

There are smallmouth in the northwest part of the park on the lakes that connect to the Bloodvein River (Artery, Mary's, Barclay, Musclow, Sobourin,) and I think they go a little further east but have not been there......yet. We caught quite a few on last years trip. They are considered an invasive in WCPP.

You can use some bait in WCPP. There are restrictions however so check with Claire at the park's office for more info. Last year we took in a half flat of crawlers and had a ball. It was almost too easy. However, you DO NOT need live bait to catch a lot of fish in WCPP. Jigs and tails work just fine. A spinner rig works great as well.

I usually target walleyes and like the saying goes....."I've been to the mountain and it is good."

I try to avoid northerns but invariably end up hooking a lot of them as well. Last year my brother, who targeted them, caught several over 40 inches the largest about 47 or 48. All were released unharmed. The interesting part on this is that as he was fishing northerns in the shallow weeds edges I'd be pulling walleyes out of the same cover. This was in late Aug./early Sept.

I've not fished for lake trout YET but some nice folks are going to teach me how in Quetico this year so I'll be ready when I head back into WCPP in Aug.

My suggestion is that you go up there, give it a try and let us know what you think!

Safe travels.......Mike

Fishing quality from best to least best, WCPP, Quetico, BWCA.
Been to WCPP just once. But we had a day where we grew tired of catching walleye on every or near every cast. Really.
Saw 3 canoeists in 11 days, and maybe three or four motorized boats in use.

I also mash down the barbs on all my treble hooks for my own safety and convenience in releasing fish. Not required. I do not mash hooks on single hooked jigheads. Live bait is allowed, you just cant catch your own.

I will tell you the secret to catching lake trout, as was told me by a guy I met on a portage in Quetico. Here it is. When you get to your destination lake for the day, rather than paddle to your campsite, set up, and then go fishing...get your fishing gear out and just troll on your way to your campsite. If it is a lake trout lake, you will catch 'em. If it isn't, you will catch walleye. Just use a deep diving crankbait, throw it out behind the canoe, and paddle.

Funny thing is, the walleye and trout in Quetico like firetiger colors, but the fish in WCPP don't. They prefer natural colors like bone/ivory/white. It's weird, I tell you.

Joe