QuietJourney Forums - Robinson Lake area

Jun 5^th, 2026 at 1:55am (UTC)

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Robinson Lake area (Read 18675 times)

Old Salt Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4871 Location: Crossville, TN Joined: Jun 17^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #20 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 3:08pm	Quote Print Post
	If you’re just passing through, no. If you want to camp, yes. Don’t forget your customs stop.


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MossBack Inukshuk Offline Posts: 505 Location: Indiana Joined: Feb 23^rd, 2010	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #21 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 4:09pm	Quote Print Post
	A couple of additional random Robinson thoughts. I do a poor job of taking notes, so if my memory in in error, please correct me. I have come out by the Horse River to Sandpit and Mudro several times, but generally did not enjoy it much. With the exception of the Chain Saw Sisters Saloon being at the pickup point parking lot. I also believe a campsite on the North end of Robinson was the one Sigurd Olson referred to in one of his books as his favorite in the entire Quetico. I believe it was directly West of Gardner Mountain, with a sand beach and tent pads nearly at water level. There was a walking path to another site just South that might work well for splitting up your large group. I think the site may be K3 on PP. We caught some nice Lakers in the N/S channel near the camp. Corrections welcomed. MB


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intrepid_camper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1348 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #22 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 4:45pm	Quote Print Post
	I've only done the Mudro route a couple of times. As a solo with kayak and with lots of small packs that need to be stowed in a larger one for portaging it is SLOW for me. Several short portages on the route. Took me all day to get to lower Basswood Falls and there can be additional canoe party traffic that slows you down too. I have come in on the Fall lake route and gotten to Upper Basswood Falls in one day. With a tow to Prairie Portage you can probably also make UBF in one day, it would be an all paddling day. Good campsites near Upper Basswood Falls.


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intrepid_camper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1348 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #23 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 4:49pm	Quote Print Post
	Regarding permits: I have heard I shouldn't do it....but I get one BWCA permit to cover the whole time I will be out and get the Canadian permit at PP for the days I will be in Q. With the additional RABC permit I can feel comfortable crossing the "border" at will on Basswood, Crooked, Knife, etc. and not be worried about camping in BWCA if conditions require it.


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #24 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 4:54pm	Quote Print Post
	So, I'm thinking that with a Basswood River permit (and RABC) you could enter and exit through Mudro/Horse River and as long as you don't camp in the BW you don't need any more permits. I think coming and going this way would be more portaging than coming from the border route but with the Basswood Lake route and a tow from PP you risk the wind stranding you on day 1.


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intrepid_camper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1348 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #25 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 5:05pm	Quote Print Post
	The "trick" is getting the Q permit from PP without actually going to Prairie Portage. The only alternative I can think of is to send one or more of your party up there via a tow to pick up and pay for the Q permit and then back to US mainland to start out elsewhere (everyone still needs an RABC). Last time I went into Q ( 3 summers ago) they offered to sell me an RABC on the spot, rather than having to order it through the mail. I assume they still do that To answer your camping question...yes, as long as you stay off-shore you can paddle both sides of border with an RABC. Not sure how that relates to being able to fish Canadian waters...I do not fish. You are correct that wind could strand a canoe party but with a cockpit cover kayaking is not an issue in the wind, just more work if you are heading into it.


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Solus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 967 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Oct 6^th, 2006	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #26 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 5:55pm	Quote Print Post
	I have managed the Robinson entry a number of ways. A few times I've convinced Canadian authorities to jus let me enter the park (out of season) via Mudro. They were reluctant but I explained how close the entry was to my house and they relented. I have paddled up to PP and dumped my deposit in the box and left with a permit the day before. I have added cash to the self-permitting station after my trip. To get a RABC on the spot you need to go to a Canadian Customs station. To my knowledge the only station near the park is at Crane or LaCroix on the west end. Quetico Park personnel have no customs duties or authority.. For the B-dub I just fill out two self-issue permits- a day permit for the day I enter the park and a entry point #30 (entry from Canada) for the day I leave. Offhand I think the journey from Robinson to Mudro is greater the 14 miles. I have visited the site referenced by Mossback on the north end of Robinson. It is at a pinch- a level sandy point with nice trees that makes a narrows with a couple of islands closing the pinch. Nice location though a touch beaten down. Great fishing in the area. The aforementioned island site has more space, but there is plenty of flat tent spots on 'Sigs" site.


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portage dog Inukshuk Offline Posts: 533 Location: Virginia Joined: Oct 26^th, 2010	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #27 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 8:43pm	Quote Print Post
	TomT, I was thinking of entering through Mudro to short cut to Argo last summer and talked extensively to my outfitter about it. Q permits (Basswood River) are available on-line/via outfitters, RABC's via mail - as you well know. It's the camping fees you need to pay at the ranger station. They were going to let me ride a tow up/back to PP and pay the camping fees the day before the entry permit, said they do that somewhat frequently with no issues. This is a lot like Solus described, but would have been in season. For the BW, they said just a day permit, unless camping overnight. It would have been a BIG stretch to get up through Friday Bay and the border in one day and you'd need a crack crew. Robinson would be more do-able for sure. We ended up going in via McAree on a Crane Lake tow. There was a bit more money involved in doing that one. Several ways to fillet that fish - as the rest have alluded to - some just involve more money. pd


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intrepid_camper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1348 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jul 12^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #28 - Feb 10^th, 2019 at 9:15pm	Quote Print Post
	??? While we are on this subject I have wondered if you can pick up and pay for a Q permit BUT make your entry date for a day or a few LATER than the day you actually have paid for it? As for instance it might take a day or three in BWCA before you get to your planned Q entry location. ???


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Magicpaddler Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1321 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Jan 7^th, 2004	Re: Robinson Lake area Reply #29 - Feb 11^th, 2019 at 12:29pm	Quote Print Post
	Going in to Q on the North side I usually pick up the permit the day before I go in.


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