Hello, I was wondering if anyone has experience with Temagami and Algonquin and could compare the paddling experience at these locations with Quetico-Superior area.  How do the scenery, crowds, fishing, and overall experience compare?  Thanks for any input!

Thanks for the info solotripper.  I guess my question is this:  I live in MN, would it be worth it to make the long trip over there versus going to Q/BW?

I agree with Solotripper's post about Algonquin. I tripped there about 10 times from the late 70s through early 90s. I stopped going because of the factors that ST mentioned. Too crowded, too regulated, and too much hassle. The terrain is almost identical to Quetico, but the fishing is not nearly as good. Algonquin is only about 3 hours north of Toronto, and within a few hours of the most heavily populated areas of Canada. A 2-lane highway cuts across the bottom third of the park, and there are several campgrounds there. Solitude is not easy to find mid-June through end of August. In many ways Algonquin is more like the more heavily used sections of the Boundary Waters. (Bring a stove, 'cause you'll have a hard time finding firewood at sites within a day of an EP)
Algonquin, IMO, would be a good place to introduce someone to backwoods canoe camping. Or maybe to take your first solo. It is a little more forgiving in terms of available help and opportunities to bail. Ironically though, bears are more of a threat.

NO WAY would I travel a long distance to paddle Algonquin if I could get to BW/Q. I have no experience with Temagami, but I know it is quite a bit smaller.

Sometimes I feel like people who have relatively easy access the BW/Q don't fully appreciate what a jewel they have in their midst. I just hope the people who make decisions for Quetico can prevent it from experiencing the same fate as Algonquin. Talking to oldtimers, Quetico is already on that slippery slope to being loved to death.
OK, I've yapped enough. Enjoy the Q!

Here's a thread-starter:
Increase Quetico fees even higher to discourage over use and maybe increase maintenance
OR
Keep it affordable to make it available to more people and garner wider support for its protection

Wind-in-Face

Thanks again everyone for your input.  I think you have all talked me out of a future Algonquin trip.  Although the idea of catching brookies might tempt me to make the trip sometime.  I am still intrigued by the idea of going to Temagami sometime to hike Ishpatina Ridge or see the large white pine stands.  A trip to Wabakimi or Woodland Caribou is definitely in the future and closer to home. 

My desire to visit other canoeing destinations has nothing to do with my attitudes towards BW/Q.  It is, without a doubt, my favorite place in the world.  I feel very fortunate to have been brought up in family with a canoe tripping tradition so close to these premier wilderness areas.  However, I too am surprised at the number of people around here who either take for granted, or view the BW/Q with hostility (i.e. its "wasted as a wilderness area).  I certainly hope the wild character of these areas is maintained into the future.

We had a very enjoyable trip in Temagami 'way back in August of 1990.  We were there for a six-day canoe trip, and it certainly wasn't the BWCA or Quetico, but when I just went to the bookcase and retrieved the album I was surprised to see how many similarities there were in my narrative to the one I am currently writing for the 2009 trip.  "Awakening to the sound of the loons", "water that is clear and beautiful" (it was the clearest water I have ever seen), "a lovely campsite", "so peaceful and quiet", etc.  There were motors, though, and were cabins in some of the places.  We visited Bear Island and went in the little First Nation Church--I have some lovely photos of the windows there.

Our loop was Temagami Lake, Cross lake, Wasaksina Lake, Driftwood Lake, Iceland Lake, the S. Tetapaga River, and back to Temagami Lake.  My photos look very much like they do from a BW trip:  misty mornings, sunsets, loons, tall trees,  but not nearly as many rocks as in northern Minnesota.

Have no idea what that area is like 19 years later.  I wouldn't mind returning to see sometime.