Paddle-In Canadian Trips Into Quetico Park
All paddle-in canoe trips going into Quetico Park from the Ely area
funnel through Prairie Portage on the extreme eastern end of Basswood Lake.
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CARP LAKE - 2 Parties Daily:
A variety of different distance trips can start through this entry. It is a great entry point for short duration or distance trips, as well as being ideal for longer trips where fishing is paramount. Therefore, it is ideal for a group that wants to base camp at only one site, wants three sites for some variety, or has the time to knock out a vary remote 50-, 60-, or 70-mile trip. It is
difficult, however to have a good route with four or five campsites. Portages are generally on the mid-length side, but the majority are over easier terrain than most Canadian portages. It is
consistently an above average locale for fishermen seeking mid-summer smallmouth bass or lake trout.
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On July 4, 1999 the same windstorm that battered the northeastern edge of the BWCA between Moose Lake and the Gunflint Trail, also spilled over onto the first two or three lakes of this entry. But, compared to the US side immediately to the south, there was
relatively little damage. To stem the risk of wildfire, Quetico Park burned off the downed trees in this area in October of 2000. While losing some of its initial pristine feel, the area is still a very viable consideration for quality canoe trips. The two permits for this entry are usually the first to book-up.
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AGNES LAKE - 7 Parties
Daily:
Probably the best known of the Canadian canoe routes, trips into Agnes have the
added reward of Louisa Falls. This cascade drops some 90' in two sections with a
natural "spa type pool" half way down. Pretty good walleye fishing can be had in
the area. Returns can be made through the "S-Chain" which is a gorgeous string
of crystal clear lakes connected by shorter length portages. Also, for those
parties wanting to base camp on the Canadian side of Basswood Lake (i.e.: North
Bay), an "Agnes - Base Camp" permit must be reserved.
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KAHSHAHPIWI LAKE: 2 Parties Daily:
Probably the most remote of the Canadian Entries thru Prairie Portage, "Kash" requires a pretty tough second day to get into the lake. After crossing the “Yum Yum Portage” (acknowledged as one of the hardest in the canoe country) you are home free. There is an alternative route to by-pass Yum Yum that we can tell you about during the mapping session. This long narrow lake has some great fishing for walleye, with some fantastic lake trout spots in the area as well. Bordered with cliffs, some up to 250' high, this was the home of the last ranger within the interior of the park. The former site now is a nice spot to camp!
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SARAH LAKE - 2 Parties Daily:
It takes most groups 2 days to get into Sarah, but except for the very last portage, it is a pretty easy trip. Sarah, along with neighboring Tuck, Robinson, and McIntyre provide a wide variety of fishing opportunities for smallmouth, walleye, northerns, and lake trout. Routes through Sarah can be modified to handle any length trip from 5 to 10 days. A nice bonus for this area is that you can exit through Mudro Lake, and not have to retrace your path across North or Bailey Bays, while also avoiding a second trip on the busy Moose Lake Chain.
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BASSWOOD RIVER - 2 Parties Daily:
Entry into the Basswood River is made via Basswood Lake. This 20-mile (+) lake can get very choppy in windy conditions. For this reason, we do not recommend youth groups use this entry point. Exiting through Basswood River, however, can make for a nice ending for 6 to 7-day paddle-in trips heading through Sarah Lake, or 7 to 9-day fly-in trips heading through McAree. To use this exit route, a BWCA permit should also be secured to allow camping the last night on Horse or Fourtown Lake, just prior to your pick-up at Mudro Lake.
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Fly-In Canadian Trips Into Quetico Park
 Unlike the Boundary Waters Entry Points which can all be reached via a van trip or directly from our docks, Quetico Park has some entry points which are reached via float plane.
Most of these trips start either on Lac La Croix. There are several entry points located on this lakes from which directional travel begins. Because a landing is made at the Canadian Customs Station on Sand Point Lake (enroute), no advance customs clearance is necessary. This cost savings can be applied towards the charter aircraft rate on your budget.
Lac La Croix Entries:
The Three Routes From Lac La Croix can all overlap for the majority (the second day and
beyond) of any trip into this area. The differences lie primarily in which specific entry point you will be using to enter the area. Parties wishing to take advantage of our Fly-In / Fly-out Specials should consider McAree or Maligne as their entry point. Trips can run any length of time; most groups look at 6-9 days. |
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- McAree Lake - 2 Parties Daily:
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This is our personal favorite starting spot in the entire canoe country.
It provides for the most options concerning distance, portage
difficulty, fishing, sight seeing, etc. Fishing is so good, that some
groups simply base camp for the week, taking day trips to surrounding
lakes for different fishing experiences.
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- Maligne River - 2 Parties Daily:
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The first day’s portaging on this route is a little more difficult than that of her two sister entry points. Though not long, the portages are a little overgrown because of light use. This can be put off, however, until the second day’s travel with a diversion for some quality walleye fishing. Tanner Rapids can produce some fishing which runs markedly better than many other spots for most of the summer.
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- Bottle Rapids - 2 Parties Daily:
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The highlight of this entry are the Lac La Croix pictographs. These
Ojibwa Indian cliff paintings date back some 700-1200 years, and lie right along the first day’s paddle route. Some prime smallmouth fishing can be had the first afternoon on Bottle Lake, or the second day on McAree.
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