Have not been to Quetico for around 30 years. Has anything really changed other than live bait restrictions? How has the fishing been in general? Going back this summer.

Excellent fishing. Plus, fewer people than 30 years ago.

Yes, oddly, Quetico has fewer people than 30 years ago.
Thankfully, the woods, water and aura remain constant. It is like greeting an old friend each and every trip.

quote dogman: "Have not been to quetico for around 30 years anything really changed other than live bait restrictions? Hows the fishing been in general? Going back this summer."

You can't use barbed hooks in Quetico.

It costs more than 30 years ago, like everything else.

Fishing is generally great, but you might want to brush up on Leave No Trace program..

I had heard that the entire park is basically fished out. Nice scenery though. ;-)

quote Jackfish: "I had heard that the entire park is basically fished out. Nice scenery though. ;-)"

That's funny, I heard the same thing.

Yep... heard there a few Rock Bass and suckers left.

And the water is nice, once you get beyond that putrid smell and odd fish carcass.

dd

Yup, the fishing sucks in Quetico. Most of the wildlife has been gathered and trucked to the National Parks in Alberta and I hear the park service is now feeding the mosquitoes because they've been placed on the endangered species list.

Quetico has become just another place to fly over. The only reason I go back every year is to visit my wife I left on an island a few years back. She seems to be doing fine. I guess I'll see her again in June.

Terry

With all the fishing and bait restrictions, Quetico is becoming a nature preserve. Park officials want you to observe and appreciate the fish as you paddle by looking for campsites that don't exist. Possession limit zero, protect the invasive bass, catch what you can on barbless hooks and immediate release. Park Biologist is making her mark.

Hm. This is disconcerting, to say the least... I guess I'll have to go to Boundary waters... Oh, but to endure another Boundary Waters September afternoon... *tear*

Terry,

Too funny.

There were a few fish there, but I already caught them... Sorry about that... Kind of.

If it's on the internet, you know it's true.

Don't net Cisco's in front of ranger Ricks cabin

quote bobbernumber3: "With all the fishing and bait restrictions, Quetico is becoming a nature preserve. Park officials want you to observe and appreciate the fish as you paddle by looking for campsites that don't exist. Possession limit zero, protect the invasive bass, catch what you can on barbless hooks and immediate release. Park Biologist is making her mark."

I just read the post "BWCA.com the best" and realized my post above was not too helpful. My frustration with new/continued regulations is strong.

I go to Quetico every year, so there must be a few positives!

The fishing is great occasionally in Quetico! You will have to work at finding fish but the numbers and quality is wonderful. I am not a bass fisherman, but we have had days where our arms get tired and thumbs get tender from catching 20" bass all day long. The walleye are large and healthy. Who ever started the rumor that walleye don't fight needs to rethink that. Lake trout are always fun to fish for and alligator-size northerns are sure to test your tackle.

Lack of people compared to the BWCA makes Quetico my favorite destination.

I have probably taken about 20 trips into Quetico over the last 25 to 30 years.
Couple of differences - there are definitely less people than when I first started coming.
I also think the fishing is significantly better today - in fact , best it has ever been.
When I first started coming the bass started spawning the third week of June. Now with climate change, the bass spawn at least two weeks earlier - as a result , recruitment seems better , the fish more plentiful and the bass are bigger . There is also more catch and release today than 30 years go The good news is because of lack of fishing pressure the lures you used twenty or thirty years ago can still produce well today