I did, but still thinking going up to Beaverhouse or French Lake entry point. Have done Prairie Portage all my life.

Also, years ago, they had a Customs on the Canada side, then they did away with it. It will be interesting to see if that comes back.

Or how many have, like you, switched plans to enter into from the north?

Argo: "Or how many have, like you, switched plans to enter into from the north? "

I think many will be heading to the north end. Gives them an excuse to try something new.

Be interesting if I get time to look at the reservations in Quetico and see where and what people are doing, although it's tough to compare with last year without info at hand.

Well, the other side of border is staying home. 30% of Canadians have cancelled trips to U.S. according to news.

Pinetree,

Go North my son :)

You’ll miss the vibe of Ely…unfortunately Atikoken is not even a shadow of Ely, but the North side entries are cheaper, great lakes and options, as well as a new adventure. You’ll enjoy it!

Especially if you are entering the BWCAW during the summer season.

T

Just booked with my outfitter in Atikokan. Two points:

1) They confirmed demand has increased markedly.

2) Despite the coming lopsidedness of entries either anticipated or experienced, the park management has confirmed there will never be an upward adjustment to the amount of permits available from the north.

Argo: "Just booked with my outfitter in Atikokan. Two points:

1) They confirmed demand has increased markedly.

2) Despite the coming lopsidedness of entries either anticipated or experienced, the park management has confirmed there will never be an upward adjustment to the amount of permits available from the north."

Thanks for the update

Since I’ve got an RABC that is valid makes me tempted to do a southern entry now. All our other trips into Quetico we’ve done from the North and I have to say is my preference now. I’ve tripped out of Ely in the BWCA so I do have something to compare to. Ely is definitely a big step up from Atikokan though but you get way more people and that is why you have the shops and restaurants!

Ryan

I had two trips to Quetico planned for this year prior to learning of the pause on RABC processing.

The first, in early June, would be a southern entry through Prairie Portage with a friend who has never been to Quetico and never had an RABC. We went ahead with planning and reservations in early January anyway, hoping that RABC processing would be resumed. Because we’ve already reserved a tow, a place to stay the night before and my friend’s rental canoe, we have decided to switch that trip to a BWCA Moose Lake entry (instead of a Quetico northern entry) so that we don’t have to cancel on the Ely outfitter, etc. If CBSA resumes processing RABC applications in time then we’ll likely do a trip involving a route in both the BWCA and Quetico since we will also have a BWCA permit.

The plan for my second trip, a longer solo in July, always has been for a northern entry. I have that permit reserved and will keep my plans in place even though I do have a valid RABC issued last year and might find more solitude than usual in the southern part of the park. I’ve never entered through the north and have been really looking forward to it!

My buddy and I moved our June Quetico trip from south to north because of the RABC fiasco. We've always entered from the south, but it was on our bucket list to do the northern part anyway so it worked out. With our existing RABC permits valid now we will probably do an August trip through Cache Bay and head back up to Kawnipi.

Usually there are permits open in the north end, maybe not this year. Will be a big plus for outfitters on the north end, but will hurt Ely and Gunflint outfitters big time.

Pinetree: "Usually there are permits open in the north end, maybe not this year. "

As of a couple weeks ago, 99% of the available dates/entry points in the north were available. Hasn't changed a lot since then. Maybe it's dropped to 98%. :)

Ontario Parks reservations

How do you know its 99%, I ask because there is an issue with the Ontario permit site showing a Null value for consumed permits, I have already talked to them about it and they are working on it, so your numbers may be off depending on how you acquire them.

Jackfish: "

Pinetree: "Usually there are permits open in the north end, maybe not this year. "

As of a couple weeks ago, 99% of the available dates/entry points in the north were available. Hasn't changed a lot since then. Maybe it's dropped to 98%. :)

Ontario Parks reservations "

Thanks

cowdoc: "Well, the other side of border is staying home. 30% of Canadians have cancelled trips to U.S. according to news."

as a canuck....this sounds about right. the first reason of course is political and should be pretty obvious. we wont open that can of worms.

but also is due to the poor exchange rate. when you couple the rising costs of just about everything due to crazy inflation the last few years, with the poor exchange rate, it becomes quite expensive to travel south of our border.

i remember a trip to florida many years ago where we were paying about 55% exchange. which was nuts. but the cost of things were cheap enough (golfing, accommodations, theme parks etc) that the over all cost of the trip was still affordable. some places were even accepting CAD at par with the USD back then in order to attract Canadian tourists.

campnfish: "How do you know its 99%? "

In preparation for my presentation at Canoecopia a couple weeks ago, I used the reservation website to count the available dates/entry points, as well as the closed dates/entry points, for the northern entry points only. From June 1 to August 8, 99% of the possible entry dates/entry points were open for reservations.

cowdoc: "Well, the other side of border is staying home. 30% of Canadians have cancelled trips to U.S. according to news."

You wouldn't believe that number if you were in Las Vegas right now.

Rick is right though. US holidays have become increasingly unaffordable for average Canadians. Back in the nineties when the $C was just as depressed you could still count on the drastically cheaper prices of good and services in the US. Crazy cheap compared to Canada. Not any more.

We pulled a nine-night permit for Prairie Portage/Carp Lake entry this morning, and will be using our 2024 RABC (now extended to December 31, 2025). I'm curious about the potential 25% tariff on our food supply, but don't see how that can be done with no CBSA facility/staff at Prairie Portage.

TZ

We considered changing to a northern entrance into Quetico, and maybe it would be nice to see some new terrain, but we already had a reservation with LaTourell's and I would not feel right cancelling. If I want them to be there in the future it makes sense to support them during what will be a tough year economically. We used to use CBO and they are gone, so it happens. We're still going to get the tow, probably to the Birch lake portage if our Carp lake permit is unusable and find a place a bit more remote if possible. We already had a Moose lake permit as well so we could go to BWCA on the same trip.It's a bummer, but I don't blame them for flipping us off right now.

We have cancelled three trips to Canada for this year, one to the Q, one fly in out of Chapleau and one boat in out of chapleau. Last year coming back from a boat in to chapleau we were stopped on the Canadian side coming back into Sault Ste. Marie Michigan by the Canadian DNR. Every veh with a boat was stopped and searched to make sure we didn’t have over our limit of fish. Tied up for over two hours. No more of my money ever going to Canada again.
,

mutz: "We have cancelled three trips to Canada for this year, one to the Q, one fly in out of Chapleau and one boat in out of chapleau. Last year coming back from a boat in to chapleau we were stopped on the Canadian side coming back into Sault Ste. Marie Michigan by the Canadian DNR. Every veh with a boat was stopped and searched to make sure we didn’t have over our limit of fish. Tied up for over two hours. No more of my money ever going to Canada again.
, "

obviously you can make whatever decisions suit you best, but you do realize they stop those of us that live here as well?

i have been searched a number of times over the years when traveling to and from the camp we used to have. thats their job.

what is sad (not that i am saying you would do this) is that they have to do it at all. and it is only because of those that choose to hunt and fish illegally that make it harder on the rest of us. and i include americans and canadians in that remark.

i used to see my neighbor come off the lake with a gym bag full of walleye, empty it, and go back out for more.

Well written.

Personally, I go to Quetico because the fishing and backcountry remoteness is superior to that of the boundary waters, and both of those factors are very important to me. So I'm willing to jump through most reasonable additional hoops that the Canadians find necessary to put into place to enjoy Quetico for my annual trip.

Pinetree: "Well written."

Agree, it's your choice, but this isn't unusual. We used to go to Lac Seul in the 80's and this wasn't uncommon.

AND

It happened sometimes on our re-entry so it was Fellow Americans doing the searching.

I do get it...when it happens it feels so personal and some of them (on both sides) are entitled jerks. But for me the fishing and experience is worth the risk. But once again you are entitled to your opinion and choice. Not judging you, sorry if it comes off that way.

T

cburton103: "Personally, I go to Quetico because the fishing and backcountry remoteness is superior to that o eilling to jump through most reasonable additional hoops that the Canadians find necessary to put into place to enjoy Quetico for my annual trip."

I often wondered and thought how lucky I was to go to Quetico (another country) and often have an entire lake or lakes to myself, fishing is awesome, nice campsites and plentiful firewood for a few bucks a day.

Where else can you go and have a entire lake you can call your own for a few days? AWESOME.

What a bargain and privilege we have to visit our neighbor to the north.
Also, often I have seen and talked with the rangers, always super friendly and they went into that field of work because they love it and care about the resource.

Thank you, Canada and the ranger crews.

Note: Met one Ranger every year almost at ice-out clearing trails and making the rounds. After a few years, he just quit checking our permits etc. and just visited. Now by the internet we visit. We're all the same and care about Quetico. He has really devoted his life to it.

I agree with Pinetree, while I enjoy the US BW, going to Canada and to Quetico is something special. It is less crowded, bigger trees, better fishing, and in a different country. Sure hope we never lose this special privilege to visit our neighbors to the north.

A friend of mine had his passport taken away coming in from Mexico for no valid reason. I hope this doesn’t start happening in Canada. I’m going this weekend to Quebec so we will see.

mapsguy1955: "A friend of mine had his passport taken away coming in from Mexico for no valid reason. "

No one gets their passport taken away from them for "no valid reason". There must be a story behind this.

We switched from Falls chain to Sag entry heading to knife for June 3rd to 10th. My canoe mate didn't have a RABC from last year, unfortunately.

Not sure of the exact reason Jackfish because I wasn’t there, but it is a very reliable source, my best friend. His son is mid 20s and works for the DNC. He has no criminal record. It is a true story.

mapsguy1955: "Not sure of the exact reason Jackfish because I wasn’t there, but it is a very reliable source, my best friend. His son is mid 20’s and works for the DNC. He has no criminal record. It is a true story. "

They are supposed to give a reason. For example, “it was reported stolen” then they have to take it, even though you can prove who you are. This is also an uncommon scam, where an employee takes it for a made up upon reason to then sell it. On the “dark web” a passport is worth up to $15,000…The most common occurrences seem to take place crossing back over from Mexico and airports in New York/New Jersey. I’d be concerned your friends son having possible identity theft in the future.

Otherwise they can only take a passport if you have debt to the government: tax debt, didn’t file taxes, didn’t pay child support, non payment/outstanding federal subsidized loan debt, have a criminal background, severely altered appearance from initial passport picture (red flag), or deemed a national security threat (possibly on a do n to fly list).

From your description a scam seems the most likely and concerning… Your friends’ son should contact the passport office immediately and get an update on the reason or find out if it was a scam. He might need to report it stolen at this point.
US Gov Passport info

T

Well how many did go to the BWCA instead of Quetico in 2025?

Not this dog....but I did switch from south entry to driving over the border for a north entry.

10-day trip in Quetico August 25-September 3 via Prairie Portage using a saved 2024 RABC. Planning essentially the same entry strategy for 2026, again using that magic piece of paper!

TZ

Pinetree: "Well how many did go to the BWCA instead of Quetico in 2025?"

Not me/us. Last year I did 18 days in Quetico, twice entering through PP.

This year doing a north-side entry in May, and likely one south-side entry in the summer. Late summer to Wabakimi.

Did a Northern Quetico trip in 2025 and plan to go back in 2026. The BW are just a little too crowded for me. It's worth a couple hours of extra driving to gain the greater solitude available in Quetico.

Since the RABC didn't get reinstated for 2026, I think I'll take my college aged kiddo on a fly-in to King's Point and do a South to North traverse of Quetico to take advantage of the temporarily reduced traffic in the southern end of the park.

Sunburn: "fly-in to King's Point"

Let us know what you find for rates on the flight.

Part of our crew did this flight last year and were charged about double what they paid in '23. But they did not shop around (I don't know how many operators provide this service)...

sns: "

Sunburn: "fly-in to King's Point"

Let us know what you find for rates on the flight.

Part of our crew did this flight last year and were charged about double what they paid in '23. But they did not shop around (I don't know how many operators provide this service)..."

After chatting with Jeremy Dickson at Canoe Canada Outfitters, I went ahead and booked a Kings Point Fly-in. The flight is $475.

I normally wouldn't bother with a fly-in to Quetico since the park has very reasonable access points, but this will definitely be the most time efficient way to enjoy this limited window of reduced traffic in the south of the park. It also scratches the itch to do a south to north traverse of the park. Maybe 2027 will have to be a full west to east traverse.

We did a western (Crane Lake) entry in 2025. We’ll use our 2024 RABCs to enter through PP for our 2026 trip. I’ve never experienced crowds after 10 ish miles into Quetico, but it will be neat to have likely even more solitude this year in southern Q.

Sunburn: "After chatting with Jeremy Dickson at Canoe Canada Outfitters, I went ahead and booked a Kings Point Fly-in. The flight is $475. "

Nice - sounds like a great trip. Crossing the park is on my list - had to bail on my first attempt due to the high water in May '22.

I assume that $475 is per person?

You could also check out Forrest Lodge on Caribou Lake for prices on a Piggy Back Canoe ride in Armstrong Station. They are one of three Ouffiters on Caribou Lake. Check out their prices on a piggyback they should be quite competitive and I think the owners of all three Outfitters are based out of Minneapolis Minnesota so you can actually talk to them about it this weekend if you’re in the area.Give them a shot you have nothing to lose and they want the business same as any other. If you have any doubts follow the Minnesota License Plates to Caribou Lake the place is swamped with Minnesota License plates been so for many years. Like you to enjoy lakes to your self with out the hassle. You guys have a good year and take care.

sns: "

Sunburn: "After chatting with Jeremy Dickson at Canoe Canada Outfitters, I went ahead and booked a Kings Point Fly-in. The flight is $475. "

I assume that $475 is per person?"

Well, that's a great question! From the conversation, I was thinking it's for both of us but I didn't actually ask that... Hmmm.

A Quetico trip ends up being a pretty cheap vacation comparatively and there aren't too many places in the world I'd rather be, so there's more than enough "value" either way. I also love that for a canoe trip I am spending my money almost exclusively with small local family owned businesses. That just feels way better than giving my money to large corporations.

I hope it's $475 total, but I do have doubts! Let us know...I agree that for a big trip, it's a reasonable cost & way to traverse the park. A buddy and I took our sons on a fly-in trip in Woodland Caribou a few years back, and it was epic. Have a great adventure!

sns: "I hope it's $475 total, but I do have doubts! Let us know...I agree that for a big trip, it's a reasonable cost & way to traverse the park. A buddy and I took our sons on a fly-in trip in Woodland Caribou a few years back, and it was epic. Have a great adventure!"

I just double checked the Canoe Canada website and it is $475 per person, which make more sense!

Sunburn: "

sns: "I hope it's $475 total, but I do have doubts! Let us know...I agree that for a big trip, it's a reasonable cost & way to traverse the park. A buddy and I took our sons on a fly-in trip in Woodland Caribou a few years back, and it was epic. Have a great adventure!"

I just double checked the Canoe Canada website and it is $475 per person, which make more sense! "

Following the herd of Minnesota license plates to Caribou Lake, Armstrong Station, Ontario, you will wake up in Minnesota in the morning on Caribou Lake. They come for rest as Forrest Lodges implies and piggy back canoes into Wabakimi or other. No need to book for Wabakimi Park when you can piggyback to Campbell Creek Chain Lakes on Kellar Bay or the Brockway Creek Chain of No Name Lakes and have them all to yourself key camp site and all. You will need a satellite phone to keep in touch with the base camp and know what the weather conditions are on a daily basis other than that exploring every day.

Train in cost $100 CND @ Armstrong Station and Piggyback on Caribou Lake there and back from the lodge to the end of the lake same price. No need to enter the Park a Birch Tree looks the same on ether side as does a walleye night day or whatever.

Sunburn: "

sns: "I hope it's $475 total, but I do have doubts! Let us know...I agree that for a big trip, it's a reasonable cost & way to traverse the park. A buddy and I took our sons on a fly-in trip in Woodland Caribou a few years back, and it was epic. Have a great adventure!"

I just double checked the Canoe Canada website and it is $475 per person, which make more sense! "

Is that USD or CAD, please? I've never done a fly-in trip. Might be something to try.

rick00001967: "Is that USD or CAD, please? I've never done a fly-in trip. Might be something to try."

Should be USD. Our Ontario friends paid about 750 CAD per guy, each way last year...but they were shuttled to the air operator's base, probably adding to the cost.

sns: "Is that USD or CAD, please? I've never done a fly-in trip. Might be something to try."

Should be USD. Our Ontario friends paid about 750 CAD per guy, each way last year...but they were shuttled to the air operator's base, probably adding to the cost."

Definitely USD with Canoe Canada. I think it is very standard for outfitters and lodges throughout northwestern Ontario to do business in USD.

sns: "

rick00001967: "Is that USD or CAD, please? I've never done a fly-in trip. Might be something to try."

Should be USD. Our Ontario friends paid about 750 CAD per guy, each way last year...but they were shuttled to the air operator's base, probably adding to the cost."

No way the wife and i would ever pay that much to fly into quetico. guess i can scratch that one off the "to-do" list.

Sunburn: "

sns: "Is that USD or CAD, please? I've never done a fly-in trip. Might be something to try."

Should be USD. Our Ontario friends paid about 750 CAD per guy, each way last year...but they were shuttled to the air operator's base, probably adding to the cost."

Definitely USD with Canoe Canada. I think it is very standard for outfitters and lodges throughout northwestern Ontario to do business in USD."

We have found that some places will quote the price - if you are from the US, you pay that price in USD. If you are Canadian, you pay the quoted price in CAD...so way cheaper for the residents! But that's not always the case, and was not for our friends and for that flight.

Also varies by area/park - have found somewhat less expensive air service out of Red Lake into WCPP. Wabakimi and Quetico relatively costly.

yes it is true that many canadian outfitters and fishing lodges etc will accept cad at par with their usd pricing. some will only offer a discount on the exchange. while some want usd and there is no negotiating.

imagine if you guys went to a restaurant in grand marais during a time when the cad was actually higher than the usd (yes it has happened lol) and were told they would only accept cad. seems crazy right??

sadly, it is also true that some just do not want the business of locals. some are only interested in catering to their u.s. customer base (which of course is their main source of revenue).

Generally a canoe rental in Ontario, whether northern or southern, for a lightweight 17' kevlar canoe is $50 Cdn. Looks about the same in MN - $50 US.

On one hand, Canadians are not going to pay the US equivalent ($70) for a rental and outfitters are aware of that. On the other hand, Canadian outfitters do comparatively little business with Canadian clientele. Is it discriminatory? Sure, but it's a necessary business decision.

Argo: "Generally a canoe rental in Ontario, whether northern or southern, for a lightweight 17' kevlar canoe is $50 Cdn. Looks about the same in MN - $50 US.

On one hand, Canadians are not going to pay the US equivalent ($70) for a rental and outfitters are aware of that. On the other hand, Canadian outfitters do comparatively little business with Canadian clientele. Is it discriminatory? Sure, but it's a necessary business decision. "

I personally don't look at it as discriminatory for the Canadian outfitters to let fellow Canadians pay the quoted price in CAD instead of USD. I just look at it as a "locals' discount" and have no problem with that. I appreciate that outfitters work in USD, it just makes everything easier and more straight forward.

And you are totally correct in pointing out that most of the outfitters have few Canadian clients.