Hey everyone,

I'm newer to the group here. I'm planning a trip to Quetico for August 8th to the 16th. We'll primarily be fishing the entire time. We've never been to Quetico, however have done many trips in Algonquin's back country interior, and a few to the BWCA. Our initial thoughts for the trip were to enter at Pickerel Lake at the Stanton Bay parking area and travel the 33km to Russell Lake on the first day. We'd set up a base camp on Russell and fish the area for the week.

Being that I've never been to the park, I was wondering if anyone has some better lakes for fishing (smallies, pike, walleye) in August. I'm open to suggestions, however we don't do continuous travel (loops). It's difficult for me to regulate my blood sugars with the constant traveling, but we don't mind a 7 or 8 hour day traveling to get to a good spot.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Being from Canada, you're fortunate to be able to park at the Stanton Bay parking lot. Non-Canadians cannot park there. The road to the parking lot is rugged, but driveable. Just have to be careful.

On the other hand, a shuttle would cost you $100 USD (per group) per trip (plus tip). Depending on your vehicle, it might be worth it to hire an outfitter to take you in. We stayed overnight at Camp Quetico on Eva Lake. CQ is great, but there are other outfitters nearby to consider if you need options.

The portage from the parking lot to the water is about 100 rods (500 meters) and is a combination of regular trail, boardwalk and some rocky stretches. A pretty easy portage.

Your trip down to Russell will be a fun one. I always say that Chatterton Falls is worth the price of admission. Beware of the Staircase Portage between Sturgeon and Russell. Really steep up... flat on top... and really steep down. It'll put a bead of sweat on your brow.

That will be a great trip. You'll catch fish, even in August. Russell Lake is awesome. Jackfish is right- Chatterton Falls is a must see. Make sure you take a few casts in the flow below the falls. Another Russell fishing tip- don't be afraid to troll deep cranks in the open water of Russell Lake. The walleye and pike suspend out there chasing ciscos. You'll find good fishing on Olifaunt and Sturgeon as well.

Jackfish: "Your trip down to Russell will be a fun one. I always say that Chatterton Falls is worth the price of admission. Beware of the Staircase Portage between Sturgeon and Russell. Really steep up... flat on top... and really steep down. It'll put a bead of sweat on your brow. "

Yeah that portage sucks! Now days I just go in and out through the "chute", much easier unless the water is really high. That should be a fun trip. I'm wondering why Davisje went to BW instead of Quetico being from Canada?

Thanks for advice everyone,

mgraber - The one friend of mine that does a trip with me every year married an American and migrated to the US. He was unable to return to Canada for three years so we were forced to do locations in the US. Did the BWCA twice and the Adirondacks last year (I don't recommend going there, over fished, crowded - was a wasted trip). He's finally able to enter back into Canada and Quetico was always on our list.

Poohbah , McAree….

You can do a nice teardrop loop into Russel by heading down the Bisk-Beg-Bud-Fern into Olifaunt (a really pretty route) and Sturgeon on your way to Russell and return via Twin Lakes and Doré back to Pickerel. The 1km portage from Fern to Olifaunt is beautiful but a challenge. By heading in this direction gravity will help. You can easily make it to Fern in one day and there are two nice island spots. I also believe this is the route less traveled.

My trips usually end around the time yours commences and the fishing is almost always great. So I wouldn't be anxious about that. You'll catch pike, pickerel and bass on all of these lakes. Lakers are in Pickerel and Olifaunt.

I'm not sure how you two are meeting up but if you are planning to rendezvous in the park, your buddy's US plate will not wash at Stanton Bay. Plan ahead.

A big difference between Algonquin and Quetico is the amount of travellers. Algonquin will be more like The BWCA in terms of traffic. However, August is probably the busiest season in the north end of Quetico. And Russell is probably the busiest destination for those who want to push past the park boundary lakes. And then there's the added possibility that the suspended RABC may result in more traffic on the park's northern entries.

There are no portage nor site markers. You can camp anywhere. But realistically you'll want an established site.

Have a great trip!

Is it possible to make it to Russell in one day or do you think that's to ambitious?

Davisje: "Is it possible to make it to Russell in one day or do you think that's to ambitious? "

Long day, but sure!

Will we be able to make through Deux Rivieres?

How easily always depends on water levels, and I've never been through in low water. I recall there are a handful of beaver dams...