If the on and off silence of the Quetico board here for days on end isn’t the clearest sign that we’re unlikely to paddle in Quetico soon, I don’t know what is. That doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about it though, as I’m sure is the case for many of you.

A fun question is: what lake or experience is a highlight of the first trip you would like to take once the border opens?

I’ll go first. I really like exploring and seeing new corners of lakes I’ve been to or new lakes entirely. My paddling buddy is mostly there for fishing, some relaxation, and a sense of getting away from the grind for a while. I’ve pushed the pace more than he would probably like for most of our trips, and he is finally convincing me that we really like layover days, more time around camp and fishing, and less time breaking down and setting up camp. This year we were planning on a shorter first day in to Middle Roland, fishing for walleye evening then morning, and then pushing along to Ted. One layover day on Ted, then making a big push to Kahshapiwi, where we plan(ned) to spend 2-3 layover days before heading out. Those layover days we planned for Kahshapiwi were some of what I was looking forward to most in 2021.

How about the rest of you?

The first lake I want to see again is Nym. I gotta start there to get to the rest of my trip. I want to see pickerel and Sturgeon.

I imagine those lakes are still iced up and another quiet year is ahead for them with very few humans to paddle their water.
Tom

tumblehome: "The first lake I want to see again is Nym. I gotta start there to get to the rest of my trip. I want to see Pickerel and Sturgeon.

I imagine those lakes are still iced up and another quiet year is ahead for them with very few humans to paddle their water.
Tom"

Two lakes I want to see are Bentpine and Burntside. I have been all around them but never in them. I am fortunate that I can be there this July sweeping pine cones out of every site where we stay.

Really a generic answer, but it's a true answer... any northern Quetico entry lake. Beaverhouse, Cirrus, Batch, Pickerel... one of those. The rest of the lakes are simply icing on the cake. :)

Cache Bay, because that is the first lake on my way to Kawnipi.

Both Bentpine and Burntside are fantastic lakes. Bentpine has a super cool island campsite with a giant chain hanging on a tree that must weigh 300 pounds. Left from the logging days.

I caught a northern on Bentpine that was so big I couldn't get it in my boat. I really didn't want to either and was able to safely get the Rapala out of his mouth. He went back in the water to live another day.

Tom

tumblehome: "Both Bentpine and Burntside are fantastic lakes. Bentpine has a super cool island campsite with a giant chain hanging on a tree that must weigh 300 pounds. Left from the logging days.

I caught a northern on Bentpine that was so big I couldn't get it in my boat. I really didn't want to either and was able to safely get the Rapala out of his mouth. He went back in the water to live another day.

Tom
"

Thanks Tumble. I know that site from my research. It's a couple of clicks up from the potage to March I believe? It's on my radar.

I also just bought one of these. I don't ever bring a landing net and this looks like a good solution. It doesn't sound like a net would have done you much good with your leviathan either.

I'd like to see the North Bay (Basswood) campsites. I wouldn't imagine they will get much use for 2 straight years. Hopefully the grasses are taking hold on the worn areas.

My first trip back will have me going through there up into Kahshahpiwi and beyond.

I got into one of the three no name lakes north east of Sark last year but it was so windy I couldn’t explore them. The same was true with Tubman and Maxness a few years ago so I would love to go back there. My last choice would be the two no name lake east of Lonely. I haven’t been in there for years. Lastly I have been shut out of Alice for the last couple of years because of forest fires and low water so I would definitely put it high on my agenda.

I would like to be plopped down on Argo. We were wind bound for three days and had limited fishing from our campsite. From there, I'd like to explore Darky since we were busting butts to get through there to Argo to find a site in the dark and rain.

Marj, Unnamed, Louisa, Ted.

Argo as well.

Banksiana: "Marj, Unnamed, Louisa, Ted. "

I've only passed through Marj once, but there's something intriguing about a lake where most of the likely minimal traffic is way away from the main body of the lake and most of the campsites. I'll have to put it on the list of places to check out for a couple days sometime. That whole area from Marj/Burt/Joyce to the Kahshahpiwi chain is pretty awesome.

I love Marj for the stunning clarity of the water. Unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask.

Quetico lies waiting. I can't wait to return.
So many favorite lakes in Quetico. So many favorite campsites. So many wonderful memories of trips gone by.
So little time.......................................

GraniteCliffs ... couldn’t have said it any better !

Banksiana: "I love Marj for the stunning clarity of the water. Unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask.

"

Great picture!

I read about how the zebra mussel is improving water clarity in a bad way. I think the story was about Mille Lacs Lake and how the water clarity has improved remarkably over the years since the mussel filters the water. The bad part of this is that walleye do not prefer clear water, and the filtered water contains food and nutrients other creatures need to survive.

I’m not saying this is happening on Marj, that’s a different ecosystem. But I see water clarity differently now than before. No pun.
Tom

Argo, both for fishing and drinking water.

Doesn't really matter to me which Quetico lake....just can't wait to get away from the BWCA crowds from last year and what looks like another crowded season this year....

PineKnot: "Doesn't really matter to me which Quetico lake....just can't wait to get away from the BWCA crowds from last year and what looks like another crowded season this year...."

Amen to that thought. My solo in early June will not provide the same level of solitude the Q provides. It will be fun but not the same as all the prior solo trips across the border.

While I dream of being able to visit ANY Quetico waters soon, Blackstone Lake is high on my next visit list.
TZ

Emerald

I can't tell you.
But that No Name East of Dack, would be fun.

Banksiana: "I love Marj for the stunning clarity of the water. Unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask.


"

beautiful!

Kawnipi for me. For some reason, we never spend enough time there, and there are so many bays and so much shoreline to explore.

I'll add to my list. Delahey would be a good destination.

As a few others have said, Argo. I feel like I could spend two full weeks on the 5* island campsite.

Also Brent. I love how the lake is just one long winding channel, with some beautiful landscapes, and great fishing.

GraniteCliffs: "Quetico lies waiting. I can't wait to return.
So many favorite lakes in Quetico. So many favorite campsites. So many wonderful memories of trips gone by.
So little time......................................."

All true

Bentpine. I've been trying to get to this lake for several seasons and my trip plans get altered each time. I'd probably do a Beaver house entry and use the ranger station for the permit--something I've yet to do.

I'll take any of them; it will be wonderful to be back. But, most of all a lake with no portage trail that shall remain unnamed.

I'm curious to see what the portage to Gray Lake from Shade looks like.

mtn: "I'm curious to see what the portage to Gray Lake from Shade looks like."

There is no portage from Grey to Shade (Shade to Unnamed east of Dell, Unnamed to Grey(.

Oh man....I have been pondering this very question since 2019. We have a trip planned for Spring of 2022 where we plan to keep up a pretty good pace on a few days with the goal of layover days on very particular/favorite lakes. In order, they are:

1) Wicksteed
2) Brent (undisclosed trophy [20" - 24"] bronzeback hole)
3) Ted

PMR

I realize this is an old thread but seeing as I am entering the park for the first time since 2019 this June I thought I would chime in... Perhaps wake this thread from its slumber as ice out put approaches...

Unless the customs station at Sandpoint opens this spring we will be putting in at Beaver House for the first time ever. The lake I most look forward to visiting is Bent pine. If we are fortunate enough to enter from the Minnesota side then, without a doubt, the lake I look most forward to visiting is the same now is it was when I first visited it many, many years ago... Wicksteed. If ever there was a lake I could spend a month on, this is it. Big smallmouth. Big pike. Day trips to Little Gratton to catch endless amounts of bass, Ballard for great eyes, Argo for trout, and Little Darky for.... well... I'll keep that a secret.

Yes, after visiting so many other amazing lakes Wicksteed still holds that special place in my heart as the perfect day tripping like. In fact, I'm feeling so nostalgic right now that I will offer some honey hole fishing advice that I'm going to bet not many will take...

Here it is. The portage from Little Darkwater to Brent is an absolute bear. I suffer through it every few years simply because it is such a beautiful hike. I hate myself afterwards, but it is worth the reward. Here's the tip: Do that portage without a pack on your back or a canoe on your shoulders... take only a spinning rod and a handful of senkos. Wade that creek from one end of the portage to the other and you will be rewarded with some of the biggest bass that you'd never thought would be hiding in such a simple little place.

Tight lines and happy travels my friends.

BMP

Doubt this is on anybody else's fovorite list other than my crew friends and me: Bell Lake toward the north end of the Man Chain. Modest size, good fishing in narrows and bays, eagles in trees. Good lake for a layover day and has never failed to fill the frying pan.

Had trips planned in 2020 and 2021 to go to Kahshawpiwi. After that...Joyce or Marj.

goblu79: "Had trips planned in 2020 and 2021 to go to Kahshawpiwi. After that...Joyce or Marj. "

That whole area is great. Such clear water, and doesn’t see much traffic in my experience. I can’t wait to get back there myself!

Planning on my first northern entry in a couple months. Bringing my usual tripping buddy and a couple newbies along. Looking forward to coffee on a big rocky point each morning followed by searching for fish. Can’t wait!

Inlet Bay. And then up, up and away back to Paradise. Wherever in Quetico we go.
I say enough. Bring back the RABC. Put an APB out for Jason and open up Prairie. It is time.
The sand is slipping through the hour glass for some of us.
I still think we have a good shot. That may qualify me as an eternal optimist but hope springs eternal.

GraniteCliffs: "Inlet Bay. And then up, up and away back to Paradise. Wherever in Quetico we go.
I say enough. Bring back the RABC. Put an APB out for Jason and open up Prairie. It is time.
The sand is slipping through the hour glass for some of us.
I still think we have a good shot. That may qualify me as an eternal optimist but hope springs eternal. "

+1

TZ

Easy answer. Any of them. Seriously.
The past two years were the only time I haven’t been to Quetico in decades. Really felt a void in my summers (missing the trip planning, backpacking and paddling local lakes in preparation for my usual journey). Just thinking of being there again is just so special, almost spiritual, to me. Hoping to do a Sturgeon and Russell trip in June to skirt some of the burn area will almost be like a homecoming of sorts. Counting the days…
AdamX

AdamXChicago: "Easy answer. Any of them. Seriously.
The past two years were the only time I haven’t been to Quetico in decades. Really felt a void in my summers (missing the trip planning, backpacking and paddling local lakes in preparation for my usual journey). Just thinking of being there again is just so special, almost spiritual, to me. Hoping to do a Sturgeon and Russell trip in June to skirt some of the burn area will almost be like a homecoming of sorts. Counting the days…
AdamX "

I plan to be in that area end of May through early June! Looks pretty likely to have some mighty cold water still.

AdamXChicago: "Easy answer. Any of them. Seriously.
The past two years were the only time I haven’t been to Quetico in decades. Really felt a void in my summers (missing the trip planning, backpacking and paddling local lakes in preparation for my usual journey). Just thinking of being there again is just so special, almost spiritual, to me. Hoping to do a Sturgeon and Russell trip in June to skirt some of the burn area will almost be like a homecoming of sorts. Counting the days…
AdamX "

So that's where we're going :-)

2X post