Just got back from a week on Knife Lake with my son. It was probably the fewest number of people, and bugs, that I have ever experienced - especially on a busy lake. On my way out was when we saw the most people, but we had three days without seeing a soul while we were there.

Fishing was so-so, but I was there mostly as a guide for my son and didn't mind. Ely seemed quiet for this time of year.

Trip report likely in the near future.

Brandon

Good to know! Thanks for the updates. That is odd that Knife wasn't that crowded, but I'm sure you were glad for the solitude.

Access to Knife requires checking in at PP. Without an RABC permit, one can't cross the border and get into Quetico. PP is usually the busiest (relatively speaking) of all Q entry points. Good for you that still had a valid permit.

You can go to Knife Lake without checking in at PP and there is no need for a RABC.

You're right... Knife Lake is in both the BW and Q. After re-reading Brandon's post, he doesn't say which side of the line he was on. If he was on the Quetico side of the line, my comment is correct. Either way, still interesting that there weren't many people in that area.

You like others before you have now made your second mistake ever. In my case, I once THOUGHT I made a mistake but had not. Ha ha

I too just returned from Duncan... It was absolutely bug free... I was amazed..
RW

Fun times.

We just did a week from Stuart to Iron to LLC and the bugs were not bad at all. Crowds not huge either. Everything felt just about right.

Just got back from Meeds and was amazed at the lack of bugs! Of course the howling wind probably had something to do with it.

I also just got back from the Thomas/Fraser/Kekekabic/SAK/Knife area, and had a similar experience—very few bugs and not at all crowded.

Jackfish: "You're right... Knife Lake is in both the BW and Q. After re-reading Brandon's post, he doesn't say which side of the line he was on. If he was on the Quetico side of the line, my comment is correct. Either way, still interesting that there weren't many people in that area."

I was on the U.S. side of the line. I'm still amazed at the lack of crowds. It was a great trip!

We got back a few days ago exited Mudro, was also our entry. We spent 1 night on Gun 3 nights on Crooked, then Fourtown for 1 night. Was supposed to be 2 nights but with bad storms in the forecast we cut it short.

Anyway.....on our way to Fourtown. There were ZERO people. The three lakes between Crooked and Gun had no people. Gun there was only 1 group. Fairy no campers, Boot no campers, Fourtown had many sites available. It was weird for such a popular entry.

And there were almost no bugs the entire trip.

Very few people on Crooked as well.

As long as you use the portages on the border it doesn't matter if your in Quetico or the BWCA