Guarantees are tough to come by in Quetico.  While there are a few gems in the park, for the most part the lack of a marked or historic portage to a lake is usually for a reason; i.e. no suitable shoreline for a campsite, poor fishing, water depth, clarity or quality, or just a general low "curb appeal" etc...  I know that doesn't answer your specific questions but FWIW anyway.

I know of some that are great fishing holes and worth a day trip in and out but have found or heard of none that would cause me to make the effort getting into it to spend the night.

Of course, I have an agenda when I go to Quetico and "exploration" is low on the list of priorities.

With the above said, I also don't want to discourage you from doing some bush-wacking yourself.  There was a time when I needed to know what was "over there" but that was before Google earth.  Now I can make an educated guess.

I would be happy to PM my specific, albeit limited experiences to you though.

Lots of historical posts and threads on the topic around here as well.

I love to bushwhack but I do it in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Most areas up there have little underbrush so things go easier. I am usually trying to find a route through an area that has no maintained portages. People have been living, hunting, fishing and trapping these areas for a long, long time. My goal is to rediscover the route that has been the proven one for all generations before me.

I start by studying a topo map and then the Google Satellite images. This gives me a general idea of the topography. When I get to the area I have several options marked on my  maps. The old trails usually do not do a lot of climbing. With the heavy equipment of the old days it seemed they would rather pull through a bog than fight gravity. I am only interested in laying out high and dry routes for others to follow so I disregard the old boggy trails.

For me a GPS is the most important tool for the next stage in bushwhacking to the next lake. The GPS is loaded with the topo maps for the area I am searching. These are the steps I do before starting the bushwhack to the next lake.

1.clear the track log and have tracking activated
2.mark a waypoint for my present location
3.move the cursor to my chosen destination on the next lake's shore and record it as a waypoint
4highlight this waypoint and select "go to"
5.have map screen showing on the GPS
6.set up map screen to have two data fields at the top
7.select " pointer" and "distance to destination" for the data fields

I am now ready for my first attempt in getting to the next lake. I follow the pointer on the GPS being careful to keep the GPS level and always pointed at my destination. As I progress I go slowly and take note of the terrain to the right and to the left for better options. When I come across a great stretch of terrain I mark it as a waypoint and name it with its attribute. If I make it all the way to the next lake with no major obstacles I save the "track" my GPS has recorded and check the box so it will display on my screen. With that bread crumb trail "track" saved it is time to start with step 1 again.

Use any info you have gleaned from your first trip across to improve the route. Often times when you have worked out the best route you will spot some old blazes or cairns. This is more proof that you have found the better way across.

If this makes no sense to you or some parts are a mystery I urge you to head to a local park with the GPS and manual. A GPS is a fantastic tool but takes use in the field to master what it can do for you.

You have received some excellent advice. Why not go for it rather than dream about it? As you look back on a trip it may end up becoming a highlight even if you get there and the fishing was lousy and the skeets a bit tough.

I am no expert with map or compass or GPS but have spent a fair amount of time off trail and might be able to offer some practical tips.

I would avoid bodies of water that are very small. I would also avoid bodies of water that have swamp around the entire lake. These are apt to be shallow and possibly winter killed. If there is a natural feature such as a creek you can follow all the better especially if you are not skilled with map and compass or GPS.

Once you have selected your destination I would advise that you get your start early in the morning. This gives you the entire day to size up your options. My preference on bushwacks under a mile is to walk the route first with a light pack. This light pack should have your raingear, fire starting abilities, and a pile of cliff bars as well as ample water. There is always the potential to get lost. Always prepare.

If you are going up a creek it is seldom you can walk right up the creek. It is magical when you can but that is not usual. There is, however, often a transition zone between the creek and the forest where you can pick your way through. Keep the creek in sight and "ease" or "glide" your way through. Pause frequently, slow your pace, stop, look and listen. To many inexperienced people actually increase their rate of travel off trail........this is a no-no. You "pick" your way through. Pause, size up your next 10 yards, remember you will have to walk it eventually with the boat.

Back to the creek.......if you do follow a creek and walk it be on the lookout for beaver work. They often dig channels that can be hid by tall grass. Add a few cuttings around and a fall could be bad news indeed. Another reason to go slowly. You never want to fall, ever.

If there is no creek all is not lost. You can flag a route and do simple compass work as well. You must remove the flagging tape after your done but nothing is quite as comforting as looking behind at the bright orange wand. Speaking of looking behind get into the habit of doing just that.......things look entirely different on the return and that can throw you if your not careful.

So you have arrived.......it is very satisfying to arrive. Check it out. See any fish in the water? How about the shorelines? Any potential for campsites? Be careful in your excitement not to wander away from the point you first hit the lake!!! Better yet flag it........now you can clamber about the shoreline and get a better feel for the place without losing your place. OK.......a whole flotilla of baby smallmouths come up to you looking to get fed (that actually happened).......lets go for it.

Going back will feel faster. Your gaining confidence in the route. But wait......now it is time to improve your travel, especially for the boat. Take mental notes of tough spots, cut a limb or two if you have to. Good thing you started early.......

Off trail travel can actually be very fun. But you must be safe. That means knowing where your at ALL the time. And knowing where your stuff is at all the time. To wade blindly ahead at breakneck speed is foolish. Take your time, go slow, pause often, look around.......its an adventure. Take it in. You have heard the saying "the joy is in the journey".......this is especially true in off trail travel. So be less focused on arriving and more focused on your traveling style. Relax, slow your breathing, listen to the sound of the wind in the trees.......what's the rush?

One last tip......I like a very light pair of sunglasses (as opposed to dark shades) and have even thought of safety glasses for off trail travel. The reasoning is two fold.........of course they provide some eye protection, especially when the boat grabs a branch and then it releases it can give you a bit of a smack.......but also to discourage the little gnats which seem very attracted to your eyes. If they are around they can be an irritant as they end up in your eyes and can actually ruin what would of otherwise been a quality experience.

Good luck........with all the time spent on these replies we are expecting some return ..........let us know how your trip went OK.

This was all very good information. I'm glad I posted this. I don't know if I'll be up there this year or not, but I am definitely going to pick a spot or two to try on my next trip, and will use much of your advice. Thanks alot.

KF is right.......I made it sound like a walk in the park but it is a lot of work. In fact I have probably forgotten just how much work.......But I have always enjoyed it regardless and so my definition of fun is probably a bit different than others.

Just walk it first to make sure you don't end in a tag alder swamp and have so much sweat equity involved that you don't feel like you can stop.

I also like the point KF made about lightening the load. You may have to make an extra trip. Get started early so it doesn't get hot. My bushwacking days were in the fall and early winter for the most part. Might not be as much "fun" as I remember being hot and dehydrated while smacking deer flies.