Long time reader but first time poster here.

Planning a 12 day trip in mid-July through the Argo / Darky loop. We’re going in through Bottle and out through Brewer, with plans to do base camps at about 4 different places with day fishing trips from each base camp.

I’m looking for feedback on:
- best fishing lakes, including side trips. Main focus will be walleye and SMB, with some lake trout.
- recommended campsites, especially given the fires over the last few years
- if you had a choice, would you go Darky River to Minn to Macaree, or would you hit Wickstead to Macaree instead?

My paddle partner has old knees, so we’re hoping to avoid the most strenuous portages.

Thanks in advance.

The longer portage between Wicksteed and McAree (no mane to Pond) is a goat hill. Can be a pain. Worst one on the loop. But Wicksteed is a killer Northern lake.

The paddle down the Darky River into Minn is fine, but I’ve only done in May when water has been high. Northern half of Minn can get windy in the afternoon. I don’t like paddling across it after doing the Darky River unless I have to.

I sent you some photos of a marked up map from several years ago. Let me know if any questions. I’ve done this loop in both directions s several times but alway in May.

Thanks Plander, the maps and feedback are awesome. Which map set and number is this from?

For your partners sake do the Darky river to Minn over the Wickstead way. The portage out from Gratton to McAree is nicknamed the Gratton Death March for a reason. It’s mostly flat but the beginning and the end are abrupt elevations.

Lakers on Minn, Darky, Argo, Rolands, pond Argo to Cone, Cone, Elk. Troll deep diver silver black or shiny cranks on sunny days or Fire tiger on cloudy days. Should be able to catch them.

Walleyes Minn, Rolands, Darky, Ballard if it’s early hit flowages/current.

Pic of Gratton Death March. Doesn’t do it justice but Notice the elevation change—-look up to see the paddlers behind us :)

McKenzie #29. The site on Darky up at the top w/5x - on the island - is the best on the lake, in my opinion. There is a little bay on the back side (North side) that’s much easier to land and launch from.

Ballard is full of Largemouth.

Fishing below Rebecca Falls for Walleye and Northern is great in May. And the campsites just East of Rebecca on McAree are very good. They are not marked on the map with red dots but there are two there. No idea about the impact of the 2021 fire on these, however.

The 2021 fire map is below. My understanding is things are ok on that loop, if you camp on islands.

I would avoid the portages in the stretch between Argo/unnamed pond/Cone/western Brent if your buddy is worried about his knee. Rocky, muddy, boggy and some decent length.

I think going up the Siobahn River/Roland chain is nice. A few more portages, but they're short and pretty flat. They'll be your easiest portaging route into Argo if you're looking to avoid longer and/or harder portages. Middle Roland is a solid walleye lake, but be conscientious about your harvests since it's a smaller lake, and Roland is a good four species lake. Argo will be your best bet for numbers and size of lake trout.

Wicksteed doesn't have walleye, but is a good smallie and northern lake. McAree is a nice four species lake too.

With four camps, I'd probably lean towards camping on the following lakes: Argo, Darky, Wicksteed, McAree.

My plan was to go down the Darky River to Minn, and then to McAree. But I received some feedback from an outfitter that the Darky River portages still have a lot of blow down from the 2021 fires, making them very tough to pass through with gear.

Has anyone been through there in the last year who can comment about the portages along the Darky River? Have they been cleaned up and made easier to traverse?

Thanks.

Gfi: "My plan was to go down the Darky River to Minn, and then to McAree. But I received some feedback from an outfitter that the Darky River portages still have a lot of blow down from the 2021 fires, making them very tough to pass through with gear.


Has anyone been through there in the last year who can comment about the portages along the Darky River? Have they been cleaned up and made easier to traverse?


Thanks."

Sept 2024 Quetico Portage Maintenance Map

That’s the most recent Q portage maintenance map. Looks like they addressed the portages on Darky River in July…and presumably other tight spots. You can always call or email the Park to find out more. I’d suggest contacting Trevor Gibb but unfortunately he recently left his post as Q superintendent. Here is his email - he still may respond. Trevor.Gibb@ontario.ca

Thread on Trevor Gibb leaving Quetico

I was through there the middle of June last year. There were two portages that definitely needed clearing but they're short. One in particular had a few blowdowns that presented some difficulties. The other, was pretty bad as well, but the woods were fairly open and you could easily find your way around any obstructions. If trail crews cleared stuff in September it should be fine. Area is all burnt, so weather could quickly mess things up again.