Planning a trip to Quetico's Brent Lake and hoping some good folks will share any information that might be helpful in planning our trip. Our main activity will be fishing (walleye, smallmouth, and lake trout), but we also want to cover a moderate amount of water and see the area's sites. We have never been to this area. In fact, this is just our second trip into Quetico, though we have been enjoying the BWCA for 15 years or so. We will be a party of four in two tandems, two tents. We are planning on a mid June entry date and a trip length of 9-11 days. One option we are considering would be to base camp on Brent, maybe a few nights on both the east and west ends, and make daytrips into surrounding lakes/rivers. Another option would be to do a loop through the surrounding lakes with layovers every other day or so on particularly attractive fishing/touring lakes. Our current thought is to start with a tow to Brewer Rapids, then travel east to the Brent area, then head back west eventually exiting through Argo with a pickup at Bottle Portage. We would rather not do any backtracking other than the tow. Is this a good route? Any must see sites/photo ops (other than the Darky pictos and Curtain/Rebecca Falls)? Any small gem lakes off the beaten path? Any top notch campsites in this area (not listed on the PCD)? Best fishing lakes/bays/hotspots? As you can see, there are lots of questions. We would truly appreciate any information or suggestions anyone would be willing to share. Thanks!

The big island on the west end of Brent has a great campsite and good fishing, don't hang your pack on the bear pole, there are bears around it quite often.

I've been intrigued with William Lake that sits above Brent ever since I read the story about the monster Northern that Bill Rom wrote about in his book about the BW/Quetico.

He tried beaching it but it broke off. This was in the 1960's I believe.

Conmee is one of those fabled "over 30" walleye lakes. You might go there for a day or two.

Don't go there! the portages are terrible, fishing mediocre, and campsites run down, insects voracious....Brent is the spot to be!

If you're in the Brent area and you have time go through Hurn and Ted Lakes to Sarah and MacIntyre. The Fisher maps don't mark all of the campsites or portages in the area but I did this route this past summer and discovered they (usually) do exist. Hurn didn't have any campsites that I saw but has a beautiful high rock wall on the north side that is stunning on a sunny day. There's great island sites on Sarah and MacIntyre. Have an awesome trip!

Conmee Lake fishing is outstanding that time of year. I have been there twice in June and haven't been disappointed with the walleye fishing!

I'll double the recommendastion for Hurn Lake. The large terraced hill on the north side is amazing. The pictos on Ted are cool and there is a message Cache jar at the east side, mid-lake campsite on Ted. Maybe you will recognize a name when you read the entries ;-).

Fishguts is right. I also heard that there are Bigfoots there, and very hungry flesh eating bears. :)

:) You guys are crackin' me up.

TomT

Fishing in Williams for Walleye is excellent. Great campsite at west end of lake. Table, benches, and great fireplace. BW Journal rates it as one of the best in Quetico.

Before I pass on in this world I vow to fish William and Conmee. :)

A 30 plus walleye would be unbelievable.

I hate to be the bubble buster. But, the Big Northern on William was caught on 2006. Unfortunately it couldn't be revived we tried for 45 minutes. Now that the big boy is gone, if I were you, I'd just stick to Brent for fishing. wink wink

qp

Hey QPassage, was that you and your pink flamingoed gang that Stu talked about meeting on William last year when he was doing the campsite evaluations for the BWJ? He mentioned seeing people at a site who were in sleeping hammocks, not tents. Just curious.

I missed the trip in 2007. The trip I'm referring to was in 2006 on Williams Lake. I think Jim wrote a story for the BWJ on the 2005 trip not sure it there was one on the 2006 trip in the BWJ "might be". We didn't bump into anyone else on William or Conmee for that matter and that really surprised me. Conmee seems to be getting a lot of exposure I fear the fishing will diminish due to this, I hope not! I'm almost certain the group was not on William last year.
The 2007 trip has a write up in the last issue of the Wilderness Passages called Nothing But Blue Skies. The Pink Jimboree is a fun event, I was hoping to do this years trip, but looks like I'll be about 1400 miles south of there in NC.
www.wildernespassages.com
or contact me directly if interested
qp@wildernespassages.com

Thanks for the link. (It's spelled wrong btw...)

You guys are crazy in a good way if you know what I mean. :)

Opps
Sorry about that, thanks for pointing it out.
qp@wildernesspassages.com
www.wildernesspassages.com

qp

Up from the ashes! Well, it's been over a year since I made this initial post. Our 2008 trip to the Brent area had to be postponed for health and personal reasons. But the wheels have been put into motion for 2009. Reservations are made for a June 19th entry at McAree. We will be a group of four on a nine day trip (including entry and exit day). Any information would be very much appreciated - campsites, fishing, daytrips or photo ops. Email is welcome :)

Gamble Mater - anybody been there?

Snakecharmer,
It looks like we will be passing each other on your last day, I am doing a very similar route this year. Last year I went through the Brent area from Prairie Portage, nice area, I put in a trip report a couple months ago, some pictures. The BWJ spring 08 has a really good summary of that area.

Regarding Gamblemaster; once on Burt, you'll find that trek a waste of time...unless you're just simply up for an adventure. Then, just walk the creek right to the lake. Burt has huge fish and lot's of them. The campsite on the south end of Burt's large island is a 5 star. There are 3 distinct reefs 1/4 - 1/2 mile north and east of that campsite. Burt is the best lake I have fished in the park with respect to quality fish. It has blue walleyes in it too.

Obergut - Gamble Mater? - just to say I was there :) I read about it in a book once.

Thanks for sharing guys.

Yup-mater. I guess it's named different on a couple maps. There were several trees fallen across that creek which made it a pain in the rear. Maybe someone knows of a trail/portage to the lake.

I've wanted to camp on Burt for a long time now. I think I found the destination for my 2010 trip. Thanks!

Hey snakecharmer, nebagachick is right. I usually go to sarah and Mcintyre each year. Brent is good but we have always done better in Mcintyre. You can Hit the slam there pretty easily. Good walleyes, pike, and exceptional lakers and smallies. Several good campsites and two outstanding island sites. Let me know if you want a little more personal info.

Later crutch

We[2] will be starting at Bottle Portage on June 21st heading for the Brent area, and since this will be our first trip to the southern part of the Q., I am researching the area also. Whatever I find out, from sources other than this forum, I will be happy to share. --ogregoose

quote fishguts: "Don't go there! the portages are terrible, fishing mediocre, and campsites run down, insects voracious....Brent is the spot to be!"

Normally i can tell when people are trying to be sarcastic. This one leaves me wondering

Haven't noticed Fishguts posting in awhile. Let me go back In my magic time machine 8 1/2 years and say sarcasm is fun...

T