Okay,  I don't have a lot of really cool stories but I have another adventure that begs my writing about.  In 2004, my last time in the BWCA we went as a threesome up into Basswood and somehow ended up getting lost (a relative term since we knew abouts where we were) and then camped on an island on the north shore, most likely in Quetico.   We fished the next day all around our island and got some nice fish for dinner, then decided the next day to head out in the lake.  We spotted a canoe in the middle of the lake and headed to meet these guys to ask where the heck we were.  Turns out we were maybe a mile from Prairie Portage, and in Canadian Waters.  Not sure if our Minnesota license included the entire lake and was pretty sure we had camped in Quetico, at any rate, we headed out toward Prairie Portage, called for a tow, and made it back after about 6 days.  It was a fun trip, still I remember the excitement and fear  of being lost, trying to read the maps, having to ask for directions, etc.   At Prairie Portage,  I don't recall any problems getting back into the US.  We crossed over without incident.  Nobody seemed to care.  I guess my question, seeing how things have changed with fees and all, what would happen if we ended up doing the same thing again.  Would we have to pay to get back into the US?  Maybe buy Canadian licenses and pay camping fees before getting that tow home?

I guess that would depend on how honest you felt you had to be and how much private guilt your conscience can handle  ;D

If you were caught by authorities, you could wind up paying a hefty fine and possibly forfeit all of your fishing and camping gear, including any canoes.

Better to have proper permits and paperwork, and learn how to read a map. I doubt if much sympathy will be shown for the 'I'm lost' defense.

I've only been to BW/Quetico maybe 6 times in my life and I really feel it is an easy place to get lost in.  Just leaving Moose Lake I remember feeling lost after 20 minutes because the map did not accurately show every little island or nook or cranny along the shoreline.  Plus the portages can be nearly impossible to spot.   This last time we were lost in 2004,  was my last time there and I had a feeling we were not on track but sometimes you cannot convince your paddling partner of that.  We finally figured it out after we stopped and took compass readings.  It was obvious that we took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere.   I can't imagine what it would be like to be miles into Quetico and now know what lake you were on or where the next portage would be.

My next trip, if I am lucky enough to go... I will try to hook up with a few others that have been there before and are familiar with the route.  That would make like so much easier.  Also, would like to bring a GPS and my own maps so I can follow along and learn how to navigate.

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We finally figured it out after we stopped and took compass readings.  It was obvious that we took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere.   I can't imagine what it would be like to be miles into Quetico and now know what lake you were on or where the next portage would be.

I don't use a GPS, nothing against them, but even with a GPS, one can get "confused".
When I did my first solo, I got " confused" for a few hours. I was fishing, and lost track of my visual bearings :o
 
When I got home I made it a priority to get better with a compass and map. I bought another compass, an orienteering model, that you can set the direction of travel, and not have to do any calculations. I also bought the book "  Be an expert with Map & Compass- The Orienteering Handbook" by Bjorn Kjellstrom.

When I'm on new water, I shoot a compass heading to next portage or if route isn't a straight shot, the next obvious landmark. The final compass heading to portage, I shoot using the technique of shooting off the portage as marked on map, then working my way down shore to it.
That way you don't wander back and forth not knowing if you've missed it or haven't reached it yet  :-/

I also oriented my map in the direction of travel, and use a grease pen to mark landmarks as I pass them. From the water, what looks so clear on the map, can look all the same from the canoe seat.

Worse case scenario, you can backtrack your grease pencil route and get your bearings if you get "confused" ;D
A compass heading doesn't lie, if you take it correctly. I would follow it before a land mark in most circumstances. When I tripped with others, we often had heated discussions by just using the terrain as our guide. Unless its a obvious landmark that is indisputable, a second set of eyes can cause as much confusion as they can help. A proper compass heading or GPS coordinate takes the visual disagreements out of the equation.

I think the real key thing about not getting lost is to pay close attention to your map all the time.  From a dsitance you can't tell an island from a pennisula.  Never put your map away because you think you know where you are.  Also never assume you remember the route from a previous trip.  Once you get lost, it is very difficult to find where you are.   I agree with Solo Tripper, that you have to rely on a compass rather than what you see on the shore or on your map.

We were up in Quetico over Labor Day and I gave the map to my wife to read.  In no time at all, she didn't have a clue where we were at.  What was suppose to be two islands was only one island.  Some times the map are drawn when the water is higher.  Also it is often best to follow a shoreline than shoot between multiple islands.  A shortcut doesn't save you time, if you get lost.

Westwood

Westwood has it right in my opinion.......The key to not getting "turned around" is to pay attention to where you are at all the time or at least until you get a feel for the scale of the park.

In practicality that means having the map visible to you at all times and charting your progress inch by inch on the map. My map is secured via shock cord on the thwart in front of me in its map case. It is a simple matter to continually refer to it as you paddle along. It will also simplify things a great deal if you follow the shoreline as opposed to cutting across the lake to where you think you need to go.  

turn on your gps....see the blinking dot?  that's where you're at

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If you were caught by authorities, you could wind up paying a hefty fine and possibly forfeit all of your fishing and camping gear, including any canoes

Certainly a far milder penalty than if you got lost and crossed a border into Iran.

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I think the real key thing about not getting lost is to pay close attention to your map all the time.

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In practicality that means having the map visible to you at all times and charting your progress inch by inch on the map

Some people disparage those that use a GPS, discrediting it as less of a wilderness experience.  There are many experiences that one can include as part of being in the wilderness.  Depending on personal preferences, it may include paying such close attention to a piece of paper secured to a thwart.  But the freedom a GPS gives to paddle or drift just enjoying the surroundings also has merits.

Indeed Azalea you bring much to consider. I personally have not felt the need for using a GPS in Quetico. I have only had to pull out a compass once. (I have been puzzled a time or two ;) ) That being said I can understand the freedom and carefree/less stressful attitude that using a GPS brings as I use it extensively for land navigation as I do much in the way of "house calls". I continually marvel at how enjoyable it makes travel. It stands to reason it would do the same for canoe tripping as well.

However, my gut feeling is I would only use a GPS as a secondary tool in wilderness travel howbeit an important one. I would still want to rely upon keeping track of where I'm at all the time via maps/charts and use the GPS to confirm my position. They can fail, can they not?  

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They can fail, can they not?

I'd rely on a compass as long as you have the skills to use it before I'd rely solely on any battery powered gizmo.

Reliable as they maybe, a old school compass and working knowledge of it's workings would be a smart choice, GPS or not.

Murphy's Law says that sooner or later your electronic gizmo will crash and burn. Outside of losing your compass, ( I have a back-up), a compass as primary or back-up is the smart way too go ;)

Anything can fail.  The failure rate of my GPS is a whole lot lower than the failure rate of me.

On my way home I did miss the turn out of Batchewan Bay N toward Batchewan Lake.  The perils of trolling and enjoying a nice tailwind.  Checked my compass and sure enough I was heading SW instead of of N.

Key thing to remember when using a compass.  Belt buckles and other metal objects to be kept clear.  I wear my knife around my neck sometimes, I'm always due N no matter which way I turn!

I hope I didn't start this going thread in the way of endorsing a GPS for navigating, especially as a the only way.  I would of course use one in conjunction with a compass and map.  Actually, if I can go next summer to Quetico, maybe somewhere deep into, I'd like to go with experienced people who have their own maps and compasses, but I'd be there silently navigating along with them.  I'm sure there a more than a few people here that can get back thru 5-6 lakes without even need of a map and know exactly where they are and where the portages are etc.   My ideal would be to follow along with a map and compass, but use a GPS to pinpoint my location on the map while at rest stops, camp sites, or along the way.   Call it rookie training.  I would like one of the those ball compasses that can be affixed to the yoke, then keep a map right at my feet in a waterproof  map case... then another compass around my neck.   Those little ones you can buy for $10 but have a nice flat plastic area that you place on a map.  Are we feeling lost yet?

The nice thing about a GPS (providing it works, providing you have batteries, and don't dip it into water), you can get always pinpoint your location on a map, if you map has the GPS coordinates.  Most all of the new ones do.

Ahoy Kenny
Let me make a few suggestions that I have learned from others that seem to work rather well for me. The idea of taking an elastic cord and stretching it flat and somewhat tight across a thwart in front of you via 2 holes which are drilled at either end came from well known and respected author and woodsman Cliff Jacobs. The idea is to be able to slide your map (in its waterproof map case of course) underneath this "shock cord". The benefits are strong.

First, you don't have to look down or stop paddling to read your map. Just a quick glance to ascertain your position.

Secondly, even in strong winds your map stays put. Just by sliding it in or out you can change the angle by which you view it.

On only my second canoe trip (my first was a four day fiasco in BWCA) I did 13 days and well over 100 miles solo in the Quetico by basically following the shoreline and watching my map inch by inch. It's really quite easy when you employ this method. Here comes a point, there is the cove and next should be a little creek.....yup. Go this route initially (that is following the shoreline) and you will gain confidence. You will also see more wildlife and find good spots to fish. Besides I like looking in the water and seeing rocks, logs, fish etc. I also like the feeling of the land slipping past me. Blah, blah I could go on and on.

I am not keen about having a map at my feet. A poor idea IMO.

The other ideas that I perceive are winners came from this website. I like KF's method of mounting his fishfinder and Martens method of mounting his GPS. Again both employ the thwart in front of them as a platform of sorts. You barely have to move your eyes to get info and of course there is no need to stop paddling. Practical and efficient!