In late August 2015 I went with my brother and his two teenage sons (all three were on their first canoe trip) to North Bay.  We stayed three nights at a real nice site on the north side of the big island right as you enter North Bay from Burke.

The fishing was good from shore as well as around the nearby islands. We then packed up and moved to the north end at a real big 5 star site.  Better fishing here especially the east side bays. We all caught sm bass, northerns and some nice large mouth bass.  A few token walleye also.

I think North Bay is a great first destination for newbies as long as the wind isn't up a lot. We were wind bound the first few days on the big exposed island.  And as Old Salt mentioned, crossing Bayley Bay is like playing roulette.  You can take the long portage from Inlet Bay to Poacher Lake then Sunday Lk. if real windy that first day. Have fun.

You also might think about Shade Lake as a destination.  Lots of day trip options in smaller water in all directions from there.  Getting there on Day One won't be a problem if you get an early start from the ranger station.

no live bait in Quetico, and either barbless hooks, or hooks with the barbs mashed down so more or less barbless

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Great advice. Unfortunately, it is illegal now to use ciscoes in Canada. Spot on, otherwise.

Thanks for quoting me Thomas. You obviously know good advice when you find it. Take the plunge and become a fellow inukshuk by joining QuietJourney. We can all benefit from your contributions to our pool of knowledge.

Old Salt wrote on Sep 18^th, 2016 at 7:21pm:

Old Salt wrote on Sep 18^th, 2016 at 7:21pm:

I have been there multiple times. You want to be on Cigar Island. There are two camp sites. One on the East and one on the West. They both are just granite so pick your rock. You can canoe in morning and catch huge walleyes and 5 pound small mouths. But then you can catch 12 pound Lake Trout from shore. You need to pick up some Cisco fish in Ely, MN. You rig a treble hook and sliding sinker and drop them in about 70 feet of water. Then you kick back on shore. I would like to send you pictures of the fish we have caught in North Bay but I am not familiar with this site. My email is tbutler86@gmail.com. I am an Iron Ranger, the Mesabi Iron Range. I grew up with BWCA out my back door

Stayed at the western island site by the portage to Burke this past August for a quick exit. Decent site with excellent fishing near Cigar Is. With a week I would look to the western side of North Bay or take one of the above options and maybe finish up there.

While Hayley and North can get rough, it was my first trip, as 1 of 2 adult leaders and 4 Scouts in the 13-14 age range, and it was fine. Like everywhere, generally calmer earlier. I've been across them many times since, often with first timers, and look forward to going again.

There are a number of great sites. I especially like the one in North East corner of North, just to west of route to South, with cove and point.

My question is with a week, why not travel some? Kashapiwi is just a day away. A loop through Trant back to North is a classic. Or head east, the boys would love Louisa Falls.

Best wishes.

Welcome aboard!

I'm confused as to how/why you chose N bay for a first trip? Crossing Bailey bay can be pretty hairy and requires some experience due to prevailing SW winds. As for N bay itself, it is also prone to same winds. Many good campsites. Lots of daytrip options. Good fishing for the Q grand slam. Taking a fish finder will help with finding & reading structure. You have loads of time to plan this trip.

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