Hi all, making my first trip to Quetico. Seven-day trip/loop out of Beaverhouse with one other person in mid-August. A couple fly-in trips under the belt further north out of Red Lake.

We are hoping to achieve two things: relative seclusion and good fishing. Ideally we were thinking about two nights at three different campsites so we can spend a full day fishing each lake we choose. We don’t have much laker fishing experience, but feel pretty confident with walleye, pike, and smallies.

I would love to hear any suggestions!

I thought Beaverhouse was a great entry. Obviously you’ll get into Quetico lake which has several pictograph sites. I did not swing north and see the pictographs last year. I figure I’ll do a shorter fall trip and see them at some point.

Not sure how to loop that big an area with how it’s laid out in only 3 campsites. What kind of mileage do you think you want to do on traveling days?

Ryan

Thanks for the response, Ryan! Pictographs are definitely on the list. Never seen them in person before. We were thinking about 15km/day on the travel days. Would love to hear about any lakes that have held good fish within a good day’s paddle of Beaverhouse.

With that short of a trip I would go straight to Quetico spending time at prime sites as you meander deep into the north (Mills Bay) and east section, passing at least two pictograph areas. With two nights left move west and enter Cirrus on portage 5107. Then take the easy portages back to Beaverhouse near the EP. Plenty of great campsites on Q and a few on C. Fine fishing on both lakes. Although fished hard, Beaverhouse never gave up many fish to me or my group.

I entered Beaverhouse, headed to Cirrus , East to portage to Kasakokwog, portaged and headed back toward Quetico, loved poking around in some of the bays and streams on north side, saw the picture, and headed back to Beaverhouse. Would have liked to get into South West end of Beaverhouse. I poked along slowly over 5 nights - my first solo - but could easily have spent time poking further into BH southern parts of Quetico. Loved Cirrus - different qualities than most of the Q.

Bill talks about the only real loop available with those distances. Beaverhouse, Quetico, Kasakakwog, Cirrus. Quetico is a huge lake. Almost 3 lakes in a way by the size of it and how it lays out. I don’t really fish as a main focus and mainly fish from camp as a pastime on canoe trips. I’m definitely not the where to fish source.

Ryan

And I don't fish.

Gaidin53: "Bill talks about the only real loop available with those distances. Beaverhouse, Quetico, Kasakakwog, Cirrus. Quetico is a huge lake. Almost 3 lakes in a way by the size of it and how it lays out. I don’t really fish as a main focus and mainly fish from camp as a pastime on canoe trips. I’m definitely not the where to fish source.

Ryan"

I agree with these guys, probably your best bet for a trip that long with fishing involved. Those are all good fishing lakes, although August can be very tough for fishing.

If you're if you're looking for seclusion I would highly recommend something like this..
Day 1 - Beaver House to Badwater
Day 2 - Badwater to Your
Day 3 - Your to Bentpine
Day 4 - Hang on Bentpine
Day 5 - back to Badwater (not such a bad day once you've done all the portages days before)
Day 6 - Hang on Badwater
Day 7 - back to Beaver House

Also, if you're looking for a beautiful, secluded, trip with fewer portages, then make your way in to Badwater and a base camp at the awesome 3N site. You can then take day trips into Bee, Omeme, and Your. It would be very relaxing, probably won't see a soul, and you'll catch a lot of great fish. Omeme is an amazing fishing lake!

PM me if you want to see some pictures and videos of that area. I've got lots!

I did a 5 night trip from BH. We went right to Cirrus (thru no-name) and had great fishing the whole time. Cirrus is indeed beautiful, and we saw very few people.

Not to hijack the thread, but this question may be germane to conversation.

With the adjustments to RABC, is the ranger station on Beaverhouse still open? And if yes, can a US citizen pick up their permit there?

I haven't started on Beaverhouse in decades and wasn't in charge of such things then...