This lake somewhat resembles Kroft Lake. It is relatively shallow and has murky water like Kroft Lake. The water is even more opaque in Rum Lake. The lakes color and clarity may have something to do with the origination of its name. Beware of underwater boulders paddling through this lake, as they are difficult to see in the opaque water. The lake has a small island with some large pine trees. There is a pier of boulders stretching from the shoreline out to the island which prevents you from paddling between the island and the shoreline; it will require a liftover to get through that way.
The portage between Kroft Lake and Rum Lake is the easiest one along this route. On the otherhand, the portage from Rum Lake to Little Trout Lake is strenuous. This portage goes right over a small hill. This trail gains over 100 feet of elevation before summiting the hill coming from the Rum Lake side and then loses all that elevation down to the shore of Little Trout Lake. Consider this portage a warm up if you plan to do the portage from Little Trout Lake to Misquah Lake, which is one of the toughest carries in the BWCA.
There are no campsites on this lake. The Minnesota DNR has not done a fish survey on Rum Lake. It could contain northern pike.
A small creek flows out of Rum Lake to the southwest into Slough Lake. Slough Lake in turn drains to the south via another stream that flows through Iota Lake to the south and then into the South Brule River. This creek is not passable.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 96, 100, 102.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 286, 287.
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PADDLING FROM THE KROFT LAKE PORTAGE TO THE LITTLE TROUT LAKE PORTAGE
Rum Lake from the Kroft Lake portage landing in the BWCA.
Following the north shoreline of Rum Lake from the Kroft Lake portage to the Little Trout Lake portage. Note that you cannot paddle between the lakes island and the shoreline. A barrier of rocks and boulders extends from the island to the shoreline. You would have to liftover this obstacle.
A typical view of the north shore of Rum Lake. Spruce and cedar dominate in this area.
Boulder barrier between the island and the north shore of Rum Lake. Portage to Little Trout Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE LITTLE TROUT LAKE PORTAGE TO THE KROFT LAKE PORTAGE
View toward the northwest from the Little Trout Lake portage.
Initially paddle to the south from the Little Trout Lake portage. After nearing the southern shoreline, head eastward. As you near the east end of Rum Lake, cut across the lake to the Kroft Lake portage.
South shoreline of Rum Lake, near the midway point. Looking generally eastward. Note the "rum" color of the water. The water color fluctuates through several hues depending on how the sun strikes it.
View straight east from mid-part of Rum Lake. Portage to Kroft Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
