QuietJourney Forums - Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River

Aug 23^rd, 2026 at 8:08pm (UTC)

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Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River (Read 2330 times)

goblu79 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 87 Location: Oklahoma Joined: May 2^nd, 2018	Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Apr 27^th, 2022 at 1:42am	Quote Print Post
	Most specifically, if there are campsites in the southern part of Dibble or Smirch lakes.


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Mk631 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1128 Location: Ohio Joined: Sep 30^th, 2004	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #1 - May 8^th, 2022 at 12:50am	Quote Print Post
	Jim Clark (retired, formerly of Canoe Canada) would know. As of 2016 Shane had taken over as the canoeing outfitter. He might know - so you could ask & you might get an answer, or you might only get info if you're renting something from them... Tom


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goblu79 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 87 Location: Oklahoma Joined: May 2^nd, 2018	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #2 - May 8^th, 2022 at 5:21pm	Quote Print Post
	Hey Tom! I rented from Canoe Canada last year and went into White Otter when Q closed. Jeremy at Canoe Canada was very, very helpful, but no one seems to know if there are campsites in the southern half of Dibble or Smirch. High winds kept us from investigating. My bunch is headed back there this year, but so far, no one seems to know much about those particular areas..


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Lost Again Inukshuk Offline Posts: 73 Location: Texas Joined: May 16^th, 2008	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #3 - May 24^th, 2022 at 7:22pm	Quote Print Post
	Ditto what goblu79 said. I did a White Otter trip last summer when BWCA and Quetico were shut down for fires. My map shows two campsites in Smirch near the middle of the lake, both on islands (the southeast end of the large island and one on the small island to the west of it). I have several marked on Dibble, mostly in the north and northeast parts. There looks to be one on a mid-sized island about 2 KM north and 0.5 KM east of the southernmost part of Dibble. Coordinates about N49 10.996 W92 03.415. I did not stay at either one so cannot vouch for the quality. You do have the option to camp anywhere, though.


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goblu79 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 87 Location: Oklahoma Joined: May 2^nd, 2018	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #4 - May 24^th, 2022 at 8:06pm	Quote Print Post
	Park personnel actually told me I couldn't camp anywhere


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rick00001967 Lucky Member Offline Posts: 30 Location: tbay Joined: Aug 4^th, 2007	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #5 - Jan 8^th, 2023 at 7:24pm	Quote Print Post
	not sure if anyone will even see this as this forum seems to be pretty inactive these days but i am curious why most of the info i seem to find about travelling to white otter castle is via the turtle river instead of from the south end of clearwater lake. looking at the map it seems it would a much more straight forward journey from clearwater. perhaps people just want the adventure of going in using the river? or is there a reason coming up from clearwater is not the best choice? thx rick


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #6 - Jan 9^th, 2023 at 5:06pm	Quote Print Post
	I found a website where you can download a PDF that shows canoe routes thru-out White Otter, You have to join the site to be able to access the PDF. These are routes used by the Northern Tier Boy Scouts. It shows the length of the trip, estimated paddle time and even better the MAPS you need to do each trip (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) There is one lodge on Clearwater Lake. They are open all year long. They should be able to give you some good info. A couple of those canoe routes start/end on Clearwater lake. That's nice if your solo or don't want to schedule a pick-up or have a 2nd vehicle at end point? (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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PhantomJug Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 2859 Location: 1/2 way there Joined: Feb 12^th, 2003	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #7 - Jan 9^th, 2023 at 8:09pm	Quote Print Post
	Pascanell and I spent a week paddling up to Sandford and back several years ago (2008'ish). We started and ended at Dashwa. Awesome fishing on many of the smaller lakes.
	« Last Edit: Jan 10^th, 2023 at 3:19pm by PhantomJug »

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goblu79 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 87 Location: Oklahoma Joined: May 2^nd, 2018	Re: Looking for Info about Whiter Otter/Turtle River Reply #8 - Jan 18^th, 2023 at 4:32am	Quote Print Post
	I have tripped twice into White Otter now, both times from the Hwy 622 put in. Once all the way round to Clearwater West..once out to Dibble then back to the bridge put in. Fishing was excellent. I do not recommend paddling from Smirch to Bending Lake through the rapids when the water is 3-4 feet higher than normal......Back to the Q for us this year though. As to why people might put in at the 622 bridge instead of Clearwater, if the wind is up, and it seems to be high an inordinate amount of time in that park, Clearwater West and White Otter are not fun to paddle. You can manage it though from the river side.


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