We have decided to visit Kawnipi next year and am debating whether to go in through Atikokan or Saganaga. There are many variables related to Canadian customs vs RABC, travel time and permit costs. My son and I already have Mich. enhanced licenses so we can enter Ontario at Ste. Saint Marie for no cost. The travel time to Atikokan is 16h41m vs. 15h47m to Seagull Outfitters.
Q...Which lake would you enter in the north to travel to Kawnipi?
-Estimate the travel time to Kawnipi on an average pace.
Q. Estimate the travel time from Saganaga to Kawnipi with tow to Am. Pt.
Q. Would the Saganaga entry be a more enjoyable experience, scenery, yada, yada. Which would you rather do. Do you have another idea?

Time limit...7 days in Q. Two days in, three fishing, two out.
Focus...fishing
Experience...moderate to getting pretty good. Double portage. Never been to Q!
Tandem canoe. Longest per day miles...19.5 in 13 hours

Thanks in advance for the benefit of your experience.

I've traveled to Kawnipi using each of routes you mention. My favorite way is from Pickeral Lake. Only 8-9 portages each way. Scenic waterfalls, good fishing all along route. Only drawback, if Deux Rivieres lacks water, that portion will be a slog. I use Stanton bay for entry and leave vehicle at French L. Pickeral is a breeze when winds are out of SW-W.

When are you going? Time of year can make or break this trip.

I just did that route in from Sag with a tow. I'd plan on 2 days in and 2 days out for the Falls chain entry.

Compared to OS's route your extra costs would be higher camp fees, RABC, and tow--entering from Sag.


T

I've gone to Kawnipi several times from Cache Bay. Plan on 2 days for sure. Using a tow to Hook Island the furthest I've gotten on day one is Sydney Lake in the middle of the Falls Chain.

The Falls Chain is very scenic with excellent fishing. You can count on catching fishing below each of the Falls. Saganagons is a great fishing lake as well.

I've reached Kawnipi from the Poet Chain from the North as well. Personally, I think the Falls Chain is more scenic, but the portages are harder. The Poet Chain has easy portages and the landscape just seemed more ragged. Cool waterfalls which ever way you go. Lots of current either way, so be careful as most of the portages are right at the top and bottom of the falls.

Good points have been made for both options. (I would go in from the US, simply because I have never seen the Falls Chain and have seen the Poets.) Either way, I hope you enjoy the falls, their portages, and fishing around them.

Another option: fly in to Clay, paddle down the creek/river to Kawa Bay on Kawnipi and paddle out to tow pickup at Saganaga. Pros: be fishing on Kawnipi the first day or evening, and fish 4 days. Cons: extra cost and uncertain water/portage conditions on the Wawiag River.

--Goose

I went from Saganagons to Mack and down the Wawiag and up the Falls Chain in July. Water levels were well above normal at that time. It took me a bit more than 2 hours to solo paddle from Mack to Kawa Bay after leaving Mack Lake.

Also, fishing on Mack for large smallmouth and walleye was about as good as any lake I've fished in Quetico.

Thanks all. I think we will come down from the north just to make this an all Canada trip and to see more "Q" for future exploration. So many possibilities, so little time!

OldGreyGoose: "Good points have been made for both options. (I would go in from the US, simply because I have never seen the Falls Chain and have seen the Poets.) Either way, I hope you enjoy the falls, their portages, and fishing around them.

Another option: fly in to Clay, paddle down the creek/river to Kawa Bay on Kawnipi and paddle out to tow pickup at Saganaga. Pros: be fishing on Kawnipi the first day or evening, and fish 4 days. Cons: extra cost and uncertain water/portage conditions on the Wawiag River.

--Goose"

Fishing on Kawnipi on the first day sounds tempting!!!!!

OldGreyGoose: "Good points have been made for both options. (I would go in from the US, simply because I have never seen the Falls Chain and have seen the Poets.) Either way, I hope you enjoy the falls, their portages, and fishing around them.


Another option: fly in to Clay, paddle down the creek/river to Kawa Bay on Kawnipi and paddle out to tow pickup at Saganaga. Pros: be fishing on Kawnipi the first day or evening, and fish 4 days. Cons: extra cost and uncertain water/portage conditions on the Wawiag River.


--Goose"

Which outfitter did you use to set up your fly in?

You might want to email OGG... this thread is eight years old.