Did a search and couldn't find anything concerning the benefits of bringing a smart phone.
I finally graduated to an iphone and would like to know of any apps that might be useful while in the Q.
I purchased Sky Guide and it is pretty cool for identifying objects in the night sky but will it work there?

I've never carried one before, but will on my next trip next year. Not planning to use it as a phone and most of the time it will be off. When it is used, it will be in airplane mode.

I have downloaded zoomable satellite photos of the lakes I plan to fish. They are useful for locating reefs, sand, and other fish holding structures. I also have downloaded compass and Swiss Army knife apps which may be useful. I also will carry a small charger to extend battery.

Your phone can also be a GPS. Not sure how it will work in Q for a sky map. I may have to check that one out.

I downloaded 'skyview' a free app. I'm too cheap to pay for apps. It looks like it runs off of GPS and uses your camera to get a fix on the sky. My hunch is that it could be a battery drainer, but might be fun for a night or three. Just be sure to be in airplane mode so you don't waste battery searching for signal.

My kid was able to exchange texts with her mother from the eastern most island on Pickerel about a year ago. I tried to get a weather forecast - no go. The bill for that 15 minutes of fun was around $100 w/ Verizon. Roaming or something? They eventually refunded the charge but I'd check with the provider before trying again.

I use "find my iphone" all the time with a Verision/tracfone simm in her ancient iPhone all the time to pick up my kid up after away games. As much as I hate to say it, I'd love it if that worked in Q. Even better - Hey Siri! Message home. I've fallen and I can't get up!

That said, I'm not all that smartphone savvy. YMMV. It's Canada after all. Where is the WIFI dangit?

I do have a Canada Topographic Maps app on my iPhone which displays downloaded maps (quadrants that are stitched together).  I currently have Quetico maps loaded, but I've also downloaded WCPP maps and a couple of other locations.  It does have a couple of features on it to (for example) mark a route and establish distance.  I have also downloaded overlays from other applications that have things like campsite locations.

But if you are asking me, do I carry this in the field ... the answer is NO.  If you desire to do so, I can also tell you that the app will work in a totally "off line" mode.  So you need no reception to use it, but it also is not pin-pointing your location like a GPS.  In addition, the connectivity component can be turned on and off via Settings on your iPhone (all apps requiring connectivity are listed under Privacy/Location Services), which will pin-point your locations.

As a general rule, I have most of the apps requiring connectivity turned off because they persistently "ping" to establish location, which results in a significant battery drain on your phone.  If you don't want to charge your phone on a daily basis, this is one means to achieve that.

dd