i am doing a solo starting June 16 through Cache Bay, Saganagons and the Falls Chain. Does McVictor Bay see a lot of traffic coming from Agnes? I'm looking for non burned areas, less to no people and good walleye fishing.

Is there another area that you would recommend on Kawnipi for this? I know there are some nice camping spots in Kawa and McKenzie bays but I feel a little guilty taking them for 3 to 4 nights when I'm just solo. I've been to Saganagons on group trips 4 or 5 times and half way down the falls Chain in the past 6 years or so.

My plan is Day 1 camp north of Deadmans portage, Day 2 be in Kawnipi. Days 2,3,4,5 camp somewhere in Kawnipi and would be up for suggestions on surrounding lakes. Day 6 camp back on Saganagons. Day 7 out through Cache Bay.

Any suggestions? I love fishing walleye and have had great success on Saganagons. Just trying something new this year. Thank you for any insight.

BLee,

The walleye fishing all around Kawnipi and Kawa Bay is excellent. However, you mentioned that you desire less to no people. Unfortunately this area is normally quite busy with people. I like the McKenzie bay area as you can fish calmer bays on windy days and you have close proximity to the bigger water of Kawnipi when there are calmer days. Bigger water = bigger fish potential. Again it has become quite busy in this area over the years.

I have not found great fishing in McVicar but some folks have. The southern area of Kawnipi (around McVicar) was severely burned back in 1995 but regrowth has occurred. Many people exiting Kawnipi use McVicar and Murdoch Lakes as exit points, so you will see some traffic there. The traffic in this area is less than the traffic you have around the Falls Chain that you have frequented.

I have not spent much time at the northern end of Kawnipi. I think the northern end of Kawnipi is not as busy as the south end of Kawnipi. But I have talked to folks who have great luck fishing for walleyes in the north end.


The stained fertile water of Kawnipi provides for great walleye fishing. The only down side for me has been that it has become a tad busy for me. I have moved on from Kawnipi over the years to try new water with new entry points in search of good fishing and fewer people. In fact, I am going to do a 10 day solo the last week of June into Saganagons. Never have been to Gons and it has been 19 years since I did a solo into Quetico. Looking forward to fishing Gons. Perhaps you can touch base with me about fishing Gons.

Wally,
I'll try to send you an email.

Has anyone else been to Kawnipi?

I have been there three or four times, some of my trips blur in memory.
I plan on returning the last week of June spending three nights on Kawnipi doing day trips up the Wawa and to Split Rock falls. Enroute I will be joining Wally 13 one night just beyond deadman's portage. I have seen his maps and he has given me lots of tips on where to find fish and campsites so if you email him I suspect you will get some of the best advice that can be had and I am confident he will appreciate your input on the gons.
Essentially walleye are in the narrows and bass along the shore lines.
The northern end of the lake has more mature pine and preferred campsites.

Have you thought about going to Mack? Did that solo two summers ago. Saw nobody between eastern Sag and main body of Kawnipi....great walleye and smallie fishing on Mack....

thanks for the suggestion, I have thought about Mack or Dack. I think I will have to see how the walleye fishing is on Kawnipi. But the likelihood of me going into a lake like Mack is very possible.

I would think going solo from Mack to Kawnipi would be a lot easier given the current on the Wawiag, especially if the water were up...

i made a lot of trips to Kawnipi since the 80's.i stay away from the south east end and come in by way of the carrys on the SW end of Agnes.
i like to spend my time around the two big islands on the west side and the "forks" on the north.
camp on one of the big islands,very little used.

on a side trip to Dack we were overwhelmed by small mouth bass.

I'm not a fisherman so I can't help you with that, but I don't think you should have any qualms about taking a prime campsite as a solo canoeist for as long as you want. Solo paddlers have as much claim to good sites as anyone else. I think McKenzie Bay is beautiful, and there are a few sites near its mouth that would be quite suitable for a solo paddler. Just my two cents.

OK, Thank you everyone for the advice. I have some good ideas now.

quote BLee: "thanks for the suggestion, I have thought about Mack or Dack. I think I will have to see how the walleye fishing is on Kawnipi. But the likelihood of me going into a lake like Mack is very possible."

BLee: I'm heading in the same route on the 13th and then out via Wawiag. All new to me (although been in QP several times). Intend to stay on Kawnipi for a couple of days before heading out. Probably head into McKenzie for the same fishing you are looking for. Paddle by if you are in that area. Send me a PM if you want to team up with someone for a day of jigging. I find it easier with a second person in the boat but if that's not your style, not a problem. I'll be in a champlain with flying moose/inukshuk decals in case you are in the area. Hope to see you up there!

Highndry,

I'll send you an email, if that is what you mean be PM, I don't see that option.

quote Ho Ho: "I'm not a fisherman so I can't help you with that, but I don't think you should have any qualms about taking a prime campsite as a solo canoeist for as long as you want. Solo paddlers have as much claim to good sites as anyone else. I think McKenzie Bay is beautiful, and there are a few sites near its mouth that would be quite suitable for a solo paddler. Just my two cents.


"

I'll second Ho Ho's remarks about the solo on a good campsite. Bigger groups have a lot of impact on these sites, so you'd be giving the site a breather from all the impact. I'd keep it in mind too if you see another solo paddler you maybe could share it with if need be.

Or maybe I could use one that is a little rough and since I will solo and between 29 inch walleye catches, I could spruce up the place. Something to keep me busy. Or I could just keep moving around.

I would like to get in a lot of time in fishing, but the nice thing about this trip is I really don't have any set agenda besides get into Kawnipi on Day 2 and fishing.

I may have to buy a couple more maps of lakes around Kawnipi.

I didn't sleep very good last night. Just thinking about the trip.

quote BLee: "Has anyone else been to Kawnipi?"

I've been to Kawnipi Lake several times and it ranks as one of my favorites lakes in all of Quetico Provincial Park. Although I'm not an avid angler, I've found catching fish on Kawnipi Lake to be rather effortless.

Hans Solo