I'd be interested to read about any experiences paddling/fishing in Algonquin. It's about 400 miles closer to me. I'm considering a visit.

jimmar wrote on Jul 8^th, 2006 at 12:58am:


i've been to ALGONQUIN twice, once solo, and with my brother-in-law tandem.
it's was late 90's, early 2000's.
IF, you've been, to the Q, you will find it completley different than that experience!
not to say it's not worth it, but like the BW, you have to stay at designated lakes but are free to pick open spot?
portages are clearly marked with big orange triangle (campsites) as well and are maintained. i took one that was a mile long but had "resting" poles along way to set the canoe down if you needed to.
the first trip solo was from the southern part of park, near park headquarters.
because of closeness to Toronto, it get's a lot of exposure!!
many day trippers and one or two day overnighters.
i paddled 10 hours first day to get up into the more remote areas to get some solitude.
I would strongly urge you to go in from the North end as that get's much less use!!
Still, compared to Q or even BW, it get's a lot of use, unless you go into the "heart" which most paddlers don't.
BEARS, i can't emphasise enough to keep a clean camp and hang food well away from camp!!
If your a "hider" then pick your spot carefully!!
Because of the pressure and the amount of "day paddlers" they have (had) a full time trail crew just to clean campsites!!
the bears are educated, they know what people mean and the portages closer to the southern end, have there portage thiefs waiting for a food pack left unattended to long!!
the fishing is good but you need to get into park for best results.
Spring is brook trout time and if you enjoy catching as well as eating them, that's a good time?
A great resource is : A PADDLER'S GUIDE TO ALGONQUIN PARK
  BROOK TROUT and BLACKFLIES  BY KEVIN CALLAN
I believe i got it online at the Algonquin park website??
Like Beymer's book on the Q, it has routes and info on park,fishing, and history of BEAR attacks on humans??
DO, what you feel comfortable with but I wouldn't be in there without  Bear spray!!!
I'm sure other's will disagree but read the info and make your own informed decision??
good luck

Thanks for the info. We are now considering La Verendrye Reserve in Quebec. It looks like we can avoid some of the Toronto crowd. It may have more whitewater than I care for however. Since my wife is a French teacher, she wanted to go to Quebec to practice her skills.  ... not a very practical reason in my mind.... unless we encounter some French speaking Black Bears.