I am sure this topic has been covered many times but I'll ask anyway, so pardon my ignorance.

I am thinking of doing my first solo trip on Quetico Lake, entering Beaverhouse, in early September. I will by using the kayak I just finished building  :). I have always secured my reservations through an outfitter, but not this time.

Do I need to wait until 4 days or less before my entry to call the park for a permit? Do you think permits will still be available for non-residents? Seems like the requests would be down in Sept.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Maybe I'll just go to Sylvania if it doesn't work out.

Entry permits are available 5 months prior to the entry date.  I'm not sure what you are referring to with respect to "4-days prior."  You should be able to call the park office in Atikokan to determine availability or you can "go direct" to the Ontario Parks permit office (888-668-7275) for your permit.  That is, of course, if your entry date is BEFORE mid-September (the "required permit" season runs from mid-May to mid-September).  After that period, an entry permit is not required.  You simply pay for camping fees.  If the ranger stations are closed down, you'll need to find a "self-service" pay station (I know you can do that at Atikokan, Nym and Dawson Campground, but I cannot personally confirm this for Beaverhouse).  If a permit is required, your chances are better if your entry date is not on the weekend.

dd

Just re-checked the "permit window."  Looks like it now ends in mid-October (Oct 12th).

If you have a date in mind, call now. I'm not positive on the specifics but if the Canadian quota is not filled 4 days or less prior to entry date, non residents have access to the Canadian quota pool as well. I believe Canadian outfitters have access to both 5 months prior.

Heading into Beaverhouse, entry point 32 - Quetico on Friday 9/4 in a group of 4 (down from 6). It would be nice to visit with a fellow QJ regular. Good luck on securing your permit and report back once your plans are finalized.

J

Thanks for the advise.

I just talked to the park office and it turns out that the quota expires on Sept. 6 for a Beaverhouse entry. It is self serve after that. So.....I'll probably plan on putting in on Monday, Sept. 7. That works out great for me since no deposit is required and I can change my plans easily if needed.

JChief - you'l probably be a long way from Beaverhouse by then, but if you're coming back that way maybe we'll run into each other.

Will probably hang around SE end of Quetico/Conk/Jean for a few days then head through Orianna/Jesse... to Nym for exit on 9/12, lots of time to day trip and find where the fish are hungry. Hope to see you on the water. Safe travels.

J

jimmar wrote on Jul 15^th, 2009 at 5:02pm:

I am sure this topic has been covered many times but I'll ask anyway, so pardon my ignorance. I am thinking of doing my first solo trip on Quetico Lake, entering Beaverhouse, in early September. I will by using the kayak I just finished building  :). I have always secured my reservations through an outfitter, but not this time. Do I need to wait until 4 days or less before my entry to call the park for a permit? Do you think permits will still be available for non-residents? Seems like the requests would be down in Sept. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe I'll just go to Sylvania if it doesn't work out.

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Jimmar,

I recommend that you do what I have done for years on September trips... show up the night before in Atikokan, go to the park office, grab a permit, fill it out, put it & your money into the envelope provided, & drop it through the slot in the door.  You won't have a darned thing to worry about concerning numbers of non-residents alreay issued permits, etc. & so on.  Basically, there AIN'T hardly anybody going into the park beginning in September.  ZIPPO competition.  I just fill out the paper the night before & go to my entry point (usually Beaverhouse) early the next morning, never talking to a single park official.  

Simple.  Very simple.

September is one of my favorite times of year to enter the park; preferably late in the month when the leaves start to change.  Best fishing for me at that time of year proves to be trout & pike.  Smallmouth are much more sporadic & they've moved off their early summer locations.  Walleye fishing can be decent but in my experience not as consistent as earlier in the year.  Also, listen for the moose in the pre-dawn hour.  Many are on the move & looking for companionship....

Jimbo   8-)