Kerry -

My notes say that you should have been able to find lakers in Wabakimi in lakes like Wabakimi, Smoothrock and Whitewater.

I've made trips for Woodland Caribou for the past three years.  The first two used Leano as an EP (first trip returned to Leano after a east-west loop; other exited a Onnie after a jog north).  Last year I went in via Garner (Manitoba side).  What you may find is that while pike is almost everywhere, there is frequently an either/or with lakers and walleye.  But from my experience, the size you'll find could easily be a step up from Quetico.  I suspect the boreal forest will look familiar in Woodland Caribou.  As for contact with other humans, it might just be the luck of the draw.  On my first trip (which also included Jimbo, Kingfisher, Magicpaddler, Quentin and a few others ... in two parties), I actually put an eyeball on 2 other canoes of a 2 week trip outside the EP lake.  The follow year (a solo), I stopped counting after 18 people on a 10 day trip.  Last year, it was kind of in between and in lumps.  (Actually spent 2 nights on a campsite with a group out of Winnipeg ... I'd been sharing e-mails with its leader pre-trip.)  On my solo trip, it seemed like I was only hitting "lodge lakes" after a while ... Hansen, Glenn, Telescope, and Optic on my out-bound journey.

If you need other info (Harlan is an excellent resource), let me know.  I don't know everything there is to know about the park after 3 trips, but I think I have a pretty descent feel for the area.

dd