I used Algonquin Outfitters 5yrs ago, last minute decision due to windy weather.  With my sister & kids & dogs, there was not enough muscle to deal with strong winds, knew that right away on the dock at Opeongo.  Since then my sister has rented a couple of times after that, forever spoiled after the water taxi experience....  All the times AO did not charge extra for the dogs (2).

However, after my first booking I have done something different that maybe you may want to consider.  I bought a 10ft inflatable (zodiac style) & 5hp outboard motor & I tow a kayak out behind for quiet paddling time (or could do canoe as well). At $200+ minimum for round trip water taxi, I figured my breakeven would happen in about 7 trips (considering if I could sell boat/motor for 50% of purchase price), after 7 trips I'm ahead.  Inflatable boat solved problem of where I'm going to store a boat & once you have it you end up using it more often as well.  Have used it several times on Opeongo, Kiosk & Lake Travers. After 4 yrs, I'm definitely ahead on owning vs renting costs. Owning your boat also gives you more options to lakes that don't have water taxi. And if you don't have a lot of muscle (young kids, older parents/family members, dogs...) You also have the use of the boat daily for the duration of your trip, not just pickup & dropoff.   You also are on your own schedule, much more flexibility, don't need to book water taxi time & make sure that you are ready at both pickup & drop off times.

I like buying things at Costco when I can, although it seems like my suggestion is hated by the reviews at Costco, but the Duracell 3 pack headlamp 650lumens is on sale now.  I have bought these through the years, including the current model that includes rechargeable batteries (bought last year). I don't think you can beat these on price, they work for me, haven't had a problem with any.  Plus as long as you keep the box so you have UPC code they can scan, if you have any problems, Costco's return policy is hard to beat.

Krow wrote:

Im saying march 15th 😎🛶

Wow you beat me to the ides of March! Crazy how this winter has been cancelled, I kept thinking I should go out paddling. Finally went out today Feb 2, Lake Ontario. Great to be out in the middle of "winter"!

For sure this year will be record early ice out date. I was thinking two weeks earlier than record, so I'll now have to go with March 14
 

I know this won't work for everyone & on portage lakes, but specifically for easy to access lakes like Opeongo (which Christine mentioned is where the ticketing happened & where the Warden said there was a problem) what I use is a Interagency Certified Grizzly Bear Committee Certified Bear Resistant cooler. To be clear, products don't claim to be bear proof, but rather bear resistant, even products like Ursack & Bear Vault.

It's way more convenient to throw everything in the cooler, pop it open when you need something, & lock back the lid again. Even if you're on the site, I doubt people constantly re-hang any food/scented products due to hassle factor, but the bear proof cooler is easy to access & lock back up, so I figure it gives a higher level of safety due to ease of use, which means you use it.

Plus with bear proof cooler, you can also keep food frozen for a few days & cold, so you have more food options... And cold drinks...

Ultimately, whatever method you use to be effective, must obviously be used to be effective & at least for my use case on Opeongo I don't see anything more convenient & effective.

Very similar to your situation, I have done several quick two day, 1 night to Opeongo trips. Sure I'd like to go off the beaten path  backcountry a minimum 4 days, but free time is scarce & I need to get in a quick fix in. My opinion, is go for it. Opeongo has benefits of easy in/out, no portage & cell phone access for a good part of South arm if you need it.

Of course one needs to be aware of one's skill level & also weather conditions on bigger lakes, particularly when water & air temperatures are low. Having said that, for all the days I have been on Opeongo approx 20 days over multiple trips (maybe not statistically significant...), but there was only one day I would say was a "windbound" day, in my experience you're much much more likely to have great weather.

Bampot wrote:

Later this week I will be in the area and only have time for a quick 2 day, 1 night solo trip. My plan is to paddle 6 or 7 km hugging the eastern shoreline of the south arm, but I am wondering if this is relatively safe for a solo paddler? Thanks for any insight/advice.

I'm sure everyone has their favourites, but in terms of flavour & cost nothing beats Cool Runnings Carribean Spice & roasted garlic. Add about 1-2 tablespoons (your preference) per cup of uncooked rice. I can't eat plain rice anymore.

You can get a big 800g container for $3.49, & this is even at Loblaws inflated prices. I mean, at this price it is practically free. I don't know how they can package that much spice, ship it around the world for so little & Loblaws mark it up... In a way I feel guilty, some of poor farmer somewhere is getting nothing for their labour...

Sorry can't directly answer your questions of going to WP recently or ever, but I do feel you, with you wanting to extend the tripping days. I'm kinda in the same "boat"...

This is probably unconventional, but similar to your thoughts, there is no question you need to deal with portages to get to prime fishing spots.

So my strategy with long portages (cartable) is I bought the Oru Lake folding kayak, only 18lbs. Also doesn't break the bank account like a carbon pack boat. I also bought a second hand bicycle chariot off kijiji, also folding, and it has much bigger wheels than your traditional canoe cart, so should deal with the off road terrain much better. The bicycle chariot also has handles to push it, which is my plan rather than bike with it. Just load up the gear & folding kayak, and tame those long portages that keep the mortal humans away...

Anyhow that is the plan starting this year, haven't even got the kayak in the water yet as I got it end of season last year off their Kickstarter deal.

If you're interested, let me know and I can give an update on this strategy.

Obviously if you're going to be doing a lot of paddling, this is not going to be ideal, but if you're doing a lot of portaging, I think this will work well.