2 years ago, saw one a half mile away on north shore of Quetico lake (only 1 i have actually seen).  Years ago, carrying the canoe on short isabella creek portage, my Dad in front saw one 10 feet away at our packs, which we hadn't been gone from for more than a couple of minutes.  In 1994?, had a bear grab a pack out of the canoe at end of portage around Curtain Falls - lucky we got back when we did, as the bear dropped it into the lake when it heard us coming back- never saw that one.   That's the only bear encounters in many years.