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09/11/2016 05:40PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
My husband and I would like to head to the Q in 2018.

We've been to the BWCA a few times, so we're familiar with wilderness camping.

I know the Q is a different beast.

From what I know (which is limited) - there are two main entry points? Prarie Portage and Atikokan.... ?

I think we'd be interested on entering from PP, since its closer. (We live in the Twin Cities). If you have a passport do you need a RABC? (See I don't even know the acronyms).

Which routes or entries would be up your alley? We don't particularly like Huge lakes, because we don't know where to fish, but on this first trip probably won't have any dogs or MiniMN's with us.

I know campsites are different? Is there a fire grate, a toilet, or is it "real" roughin' it?

I've even thought of booking one of those Grand Slam trips with Stu.

Pepper me with advice.
 
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OldGreyGoose
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09/11/2016 05:58PM  
You can get lots on info on here, but I would highly recommend getting in touch with someone in Ely like Mark and Bob Olson at Canoe Country Outfitters. They are very knowledgeable, laid back, and professional, with years of experience.

PP is a ranger station you check into, not an actual "entry lake." You pick Agnes or Carp, for example, as your entry lake.

Yes, you still need an RABC permit, even with a passport. Ordered online for $30, good for immediate family for 1 year.

Campsites will show use and should have at least a ring of rocks, but more likely a "fireplace." None have grates unless someone left one.

There are no privies; you dig a cat hole and burn your TP. All basic info is available with a little research online or here.

CCO and others will tow you to PP to save part of a day's paddle. Good luck! --Goose
OldFingers57
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09/11/2016 07:44PM  
It's really not that bad in the Q. Yes, there are no fire grates like the BWCA or any latrines, which is nice as you can pick your own place to go and not have to worry about smell from previous people and spiders under the rim.

Cheaper, in my opinion, to go in on the North side than on the South, although a longer drive. Campsites are on the maps, plus there are quite a few of them. Unlike the BWCA, you can get one without having to stop at noon to look for one.

As for the Entry Points, here is a list of them. Entry points
billconner
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09/11/2016 08:29PM  
While I've entered the Q most often through PP, I think the easiest and best is from North - Beaverhouse, Nym, or Dawson Creek being the accesses to the park. No RABC is needed - you're crossing at a regular highway border crossing. Permits are 30-40% lower in price and there are fewer people. Just something to consider.
OldFingers57
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09/11/2016 09:03PM  
Yes we went for 3 days without seeing anyone on Fern, Olifaunt, Sturgeon, Twin, and Dore lakes.
09/11/2016 09:12PM  
We will help you out, Lindsay. Next time we are in chat, ask me about the Quetico. Aside from cost, the RABC, a different permit system and the ruggedness - portages, no toilets or fire grates - it isn't much different.

I wouldnt waste money on a Stu trip unless you really had the money to spend. Not needed to have a great time and catch fish, imo.
09/11/2016 11:22PM  
I'll second not booking a trip with Stu unless you are only going for the fishing, have money to burn, and need a lot of help. If you have done a few BWCAW trips and are ready for more adventure that's all ya need to have a great trip.

From PP the most popular route is up to Agnes and then loop back around through the S chain. Most of it isn't that big of water. It is a little more travelled than many Q routes but also a good intro. Most outfitters recommend this route to beginners.

T
09/12/2016 01:13AM  
I find the northern entry points more populated (or I see more people) than the south. On my August trip this year I went 6.5 days (out of eight) without seeing anyone and had a lake to myself each night
09/12/2016 07:10AM  
If ya don't mind spending some money do a Lac La Croix entry. Get a tow from Anderson's from Crane all the way to a southern entry. The tows are expensive in my mind, the daily rates are are less than PP, but that is probably the least used entry points for the Q. You basically have to do the tow and that turns people away. The tow is fun and an adventure itself.

T
dentondoc
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09/12/2016 09:17AM  
If you go through PP or Cache Bay (Saganogons), you will need an RABC. If you go in via Crane Lake, as part of the tow, you will go to an actual Canadian Customs location at Sandy Point (so you'd use a passport there, as you would to reach any of the northern starting points (Beavehouse, Lerome, Nym, Dawson/French Lake) ... Stanton Bay is a possible jumping off point if you use a Canadian outfitter and the road is servicable at the time you go). Keep in mind that the lakes mentioned are "entry lakes" ... where your first put your canoe in the water. For each entry lake, there are several "entry points" (which are also generally lake names).

Most of the other basics have been addressed. But another difference is that you are not REQUIRED to use an existing campsite. However, it is highly recommended so that your environmental impact is minimized. Also, there are different fishing regulations. You will need to acquire an Ontario Outdoor Card (lasts for 3 years) as well as a fishing license (I typically get a seasonal Conservation License ... limits your catch to a level consistent with what you can eat on a given day). In addition, you are not permitted to use live bait (even if caught inside the park) and you must use barbless hooks (or crip barbs of lures used).

(BTW: The most interesting thing about the portage from Crane Lake is that there are two sections of "rail portage" where the tow boat and all gear are placed on a craddle and pulled across what amounts to a narrow gauge railroad track to the next lake. Passengers walk a trail over that bit of ground.)

Although not very common, I've been on trips where I didn't see other canoeist for 13 days. It is most common to see folks every few days (but its not uncommon that the sighting is from some distance and you don't ever exchange anything more that a wave). In addition, there is little in the way of fly-over traffic ... almost all that you'll hear will be float planes.

dd
Lailoken
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09/13/2016 04:47PM  
Hello! I did a trip last year and loved the Q portages, but did find them twice as hard as well keeped BWCA ones. I am doing a trip this year, and assuming 100 rod = 200 rods. This is basically due to the fact that the Q portages had a lot more trees down and less useage in general. Hope that helps!
09/13/2016 09:07PM  
Thanks everyone! I'm getting kind of fired up now about this!

I kind of like the LLC idea thru Crane Lake. (Actually wearing a Crane Lake sweatshirt right now!)

Will any of you be at Wing Night next weekend? (or rather weekend after next).
09/13/2016 11:27PM  
quote MNLindsey80: "Thanks everyone! I'm getting kind of fired up now about this!


I kind of like the LLC idea thru Crane Lake. (Actually wearing a Crane Lake sweatshirt right now!)


Will any of you be at Wing Night next weekend? (or rather weekend after next)."


Wish I was, I have to work that weekend.

T
mr.barley
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09/14/2016 02:43AM  
quote MNLindsey80: "Thanks everyone! I'm getting kind of fired up now about this!

I kind of like the LLC idea thru Crane Lake. (Actually wearing a Crane Lake sweatshirt right now!)

Will any of you be at Wing Night next weekend? (or rather weekend after next)."

I will be there. I've done the Crane Lake tow a few times including this past June.
Jackfish
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09/14/2016 11:02AM  
I'll throw in my two cents for good measure. Excellent information above, too.

There was a comment above about having to burn one's used toilet paper. This was discussed recently here on the board and burning is only one option. Burying the TP completely is also acceptable, and probably done 95% of the time (my guess).

It's a FACT that it's cheaper to enter Q from the north side than the south side. From the south, nightly camping fees are approximately $22 Cdn PER PERSON. A 6-night trip will be 6 x $22 = $132 Cdn PER PERSON. For two people, you double it - $264 Cdn.

Entering from the north, the fees are approximately $15 Cdn PER PERSON. That same 6-night camping trip would be 6 x $15 = $90 Cdn PER PERSON. For two people, it's $180. Considerably more than the BW. Worth every penny, IMO.

For clarity, an RABC permit is a Canadian form that is required to cross the international boundary in the backcountry. It's the same as going through customs in your car, but you do it through the mail. Allow a couple months so you're sure to have your form in time for your trip. The RABC allows you to enter Canada legally. It does NOT, however, allow you back into the USA. You need a Passport to enter the United States. If you enter Quetico from a southern entry point, you will need both the RABC permit and a Passport. You would not need an RABC permit to enter Canada on a highway border crossing.

As mentioned above, each person wishing to fish legally in Ontario must have an Outdoors Card. It's good for THREE YEARS and costs $9.00 Cdn. One cannot buy an Ontario fishing license without having an Outdoors Card. Fishing licenses and Outdoors Cards may be purchased online at the same time on one transaction. A conservation license is all we ever buy. It allows one to keep two walleyes, two northern pike, etc. per day. Enough to eat. You don't have to buy a season license unless you want to. If you're going for a week, you can buy a 7-day license. If you'll be making more than one trip to Q (or anywhere else in Ontario), you'll be better served to buy the season license.

All hooks that are tied to your line MUST be barbless or have the barbs pinched down. The hooks/lures in your tackle box may still have the barbs until you tie them to your line.

If you decide to enter Quetico from one of the northern entry points, you will most likely enter Canada at International Falls / Fort Frances. There are three ranger station options at which to pick up your camping permit. One in the northwest part of Q at Beaverhouse Lake, approximately a one hour paddle across the lake from the put-in spot. One in the northeast part of Q on French Lake at Dawson Trail. I've never been there, but I believe one can drive right up to the door. The other is the main park headquarters in Atikokan. Some people will stay overnight in Atikokan the night before entering the park so this is a convenient spot to pick up the permit, thereby avoiding the stop at either of the other two ranger stations.

Great choice on choosing to go to Quetico. You're going to love it.
09/14/2016 12:39PM  
"Will any of you be at Wing Night next weekend? (or rather weekend after next)."

Quite a bunch of experienced Q trippers will be, more than those reading this posting.

butthead
OldFingers57
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09/14/2016 01:36PM  
"There was a comment above about having to burn one's used toilet paper. This was discussed recently here on the board and burning is only one option. Burying the TP completely is also acceptable, and probably done 95% of the time (my guess)."

Actually the rangers tell you to burn your TP in the fireplace during orientation talk or you could pack it out. They do not want it buried any more.
Jackfish
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09/14/2016 02:05PM  
quote OldFingers57: "Actually the rangers tell you to burn your TP in the fireplace during orientation talk... "

Really? They want you to burn your toilet paper during the orientation talk? LOL
(Just having fun with you, OldFingers...)
dentondoc
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09/14/2016 07:34PM  
Above, Jackfish indicated that the choices on fishing licenses are conservation and "Seasonal". Seasonal should actually be "sport". Both conservation and sport licenses are available for 8-day or seasonal (annual) versions. (I've also seen mention of a 3-year license, but I don't expect that would be an ideal choice for most people.)

You should also check on limits. I seem to remember that there is a special "Zone 5" restriction on walleye (e.g., conservation = 1) for Quetico.

Yes, you can drive to the Dawson Ranger station. Also a nice library there. Dawson is the most developed of any of the put-in locations. BTW: If you put-in on French and head west and use the most direct route, you can paddle for over 20 miles before you'd have to do a portage (paddling across Pickerel and into Batchewaung). I ran this route to exit at Dawson in July. If you live south of Cloquet and want to make your entry/exit at Dawson, you might want to look at going via Grand Marias and heading to the Piegon River border crossing (near Thunder Bay). Also there is a new food/lodging option near Dawson if your are looking for something with more creature comforts than a campground. (I used this facility in July and can provide details if anyone is interested ... beats anything available at Atikokan hands down!)

dd
09/14/2016 08:00PM  
09/17/2016 07:03PM  
All this talk makes me want to go in - in 2017 now.... hmmm...

Okay - thinking if we use PP - which entry lake/area would you go to?

This man lake, no man lake?

We want something that isn't too populated (Like Horseshoe lake over Labor Day weekend)... would love to do some fishing, and rather stress free - so I don't think we'd be up for the Falls Chain on this first trip. ...
Jackfish
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09/17/2016 07:55PM  
My son and I have talked about the Man Chain many times since 2010. Our one and only trip down this beautiful group of lakes was heading southwesterly from Saganagons directly into a strong headwind. We bucked the wind all the way and barely got a chance to admire the scenery. If we get the chance, we're going back, camping on one of them and exploring and fishing.
 
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