Fish Lake
Have not yet visited this Primitive Management Area lake. The information displayed on this page are notes used for planning a future trip to this area. Use the information on this page at your own risk.
There is an old Minnesota Department of Natural Resources map for Fish Lake and the lakes that connect to it. This map is dated 1964. The map shows full contours and would be helpful for fishing this lake. According to the old Minnesota DNR map, Fish Lake is the only lake of the five shown that has retained its original name. The map even displays the location of the old portage trails (as of 1964) that connected Fish Lake to Nawakwa Lake (was called Crooked Lake back then) and Faith Lake (formerly Hope Lake).
Fish Lake used to have two campsites according to vintage BWCA maps dating to around 1980.
The entire shoreline of Fish Lake was affected by the Cavity Lake Fire so finding any of the old portages or campsites is unlikely. Never hurts to explore though.
The forest around this lake was impacted by the July, 2006 Cavity Lake Fire. This fire burned over 30,000 acres. Fire began on July 13.
A huge fire in 1863 or 1864 known as the Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake complex burned the forests in this area.
Just after the turn of the 19th century, in 1801, another fire burned the area stretching from Gabimichigami Lake up through the Saganaga Lake area.
In 1727, area was burned by a fire that covered the region from Amoeber Lake to Sea Gull Lake.
1692 saw another large fire affect this area in what is now the BWCA.
Approach to Fish Lake
The approach into Fish Lake begins on the very eastern end of Gift Lake through a small, overgrown channel.
Bushwhack to Fish Lake
This photo probably shows the end of the short, 8 rod bushwhack just as the Backpacker Magazine crew reaches Fish Lake (not certain): Photo
This used to be a maintained portage of 8 rods. In any event, it is only 8 rods, so it can't be too bad.
Exploring Fish Lake
A nice deep lake which formerly supported two maintained campsites. Fish Lake would have made a nice base camping lake for the Pitfall Primitive Management Area since it is connected to five other lakes, has deep water and lots of shoreline to explore; it is pretty much in the middle of it all. However, the Cavity Lake Fire probably changed that scenario.
|
