I made a trip to WCPP about a dozen years ago and I told myself I'd get back there soon...but somehow I've failed to deliver on that promise to myself.

I enjoyed a lot of things about that trip...the solitude, some solid fishing, and just the different "feel" it has from the Quetico.

I did miss one thing that Quetico has and that's smallmouth.  I have heard rumors that there are some lakes in WCPP that do have smallies.  Any truth to that rumor?  If so, what lakes?

Also, wondering if Doug or anyone else can comment on other fish species available in the park other than the walleye/trout/pike trio.  My partner did catch his first and only whitefish ever up there, so I know those exist too.  Is there any other species like grayling, stream trout, or the like and if so, in what area/lakes/rivers would one find these other fish?

Smallies - yes, we have them although not by our choice.  The story goes that about a dozen were brought in in a pail in the mid-fifties to the Bloodvein system.  It was thought that they died out or were preyed upon by some of the big monster northern there but slowly they started to show up more and more on the end of peoples lines.  Now you can find smallmouth bass on the Bloodvein River downstream from the Larus Lake outflow to the Artery Lake outflow. So that means Barclay Lake, Simeon Lake, Sabourin Lake and Marys Lake.  They have also been caught in Musclow and we are also hearing Thicketwod Lake.
I have to say that we are not thrilled with this as we consider them an exotic and they will and have altered the natural fish communities present. We know that it will be impossible to eradicate them, but we do enourage folks to keep and eat what they catch.  It will be a losing battle, but time will tell how much they will encroach. Add climate change....?
As for other species, you mentioned whitefish, you will find whitefish in a number of northern lakes. They are usually incidental catches during the summer but can be caught first thing in the spring on surface.  They are such a tasty meal. The only other fish other than the big 3 you mentioned are muskellunge. One of the ost northerly populations is found on Irregular Lake in the south east corner.

A dozen years ago!!!!....what are you waiting for?

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Now you can find smallmouth bass on the Bloodvein River downstream from the Larus Lake outflow to the Artery Lake outflow. So that means Barclay Lake, Simeon Lake, Sabourin Lake and Marys Lake.  They have also been caught in Musclow and we are also hearing Thicketwod Lake.

Good to know.  When I get up there again I will have to be sure to route through these lakes.

I forgot about those muskies on Irregular.  My next muskie will be my first (never have targeted them and spend little time on lakes where they are present)...can't think of a better setting to catch one in, though!


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I have to say that we are not thrilled with this as we consider them an exotic and they will and have altered the natural fish communities present.

Yeah, I didn't figure anyone connected with fisheries management would be doing cartwheels over a non-native fish in any watershed, even a fish as fantastic as smallmouth.  To me, they add to the appeal of any trip I take, but then, they were introduced in the BW/Q so long ago that I have no idea what the fishery was like before them.

I guess that's a selling point for WCPP.  Most of it is free of exotics, I suppose.  Are those muskies naturally-occurring or were they another example of bucket biology?


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A dozen years ago!!!!....what are you waiting for?

Hmmm.  That's a good question.  I'm down to 1 canoe trip per year these days and the Q is familiar and close, yet still there remains a lot I haven't seen and want to see there.  Nevertheless, WCPP was a lot of fun.  I guess the farther away you get from something, the more "out of mind" it gets, to the point where I always have that next "Q" trip planned in my head.  

What I need to do is post a wall map of WCPP in my basement to go along with my Quetico wall map, so I can start dreaming my way back to WCPP!

Maybe this reference will help in trip planning relative to fish species by lake.  (I cannot attest to its authenticity.)

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On a related issue, what is the current thinking on disposal of fish carcasses in WCPP.  Quetico seems to have gone back and forth between leave then for scavengers and "deep sixing" them.

dd

There are a few opinions on that.  It is against our fish regs to deposit fish offals in the water.
Some folks say bury - we don't like that and anyway for most of WCP you'd need dynamite once you're past the first 6 " of soil!
We recomend find a point well away from your campsite and anyone elses - small islands are good, some exposed shoreline area anyway.  Drop them on on rock and in no time they seem disappear.

In any case, please keep in mind the peole coming behind you, leave the area clean and safe for them.

A good question.

Doug