The north shore of Bat Lake between theGreen Lake and Gillis Lake portages was almost completely burned by the Cavity Lake Fire. The south shore of the lake is still intact. Two of the lakes three campsites are on the south shore. The campsite on the north shore is still open. Note that Bat Lake is the first lake along the route from Brant Lake to have campsites. Most paddlers in this area are focused on camping on Gillis Lake, so something on Bat Lake is usually available. A big rock platform marks the Gillis Lake portage landing.
The portage from Gillis Lake to Bat Lake is short, but rather rocky and with an incline if coming from Gillis Lake. The other portage from Bat Lake to Green Lake is easy.
Bat Lake has plenty of small lakers; good eating size. This lake is often passed by as many would rather spend time fishing on Gillis Lake. Bat Lake was stocked with lakers in 1989 and 1991. The lake is certainly deep enough to support lake trout. At 110 feet in depth, it is one of the deepest lakes in the BWCA.
The burned north shore of Bat Lake exposes some fairly impressive cliffs.
Water from Bat Lake drains out through a wetland into an unnamed lake about 40 rods to the west. The water from this small lake then drains south into Gillis Lake. Gillis Lake's water level is 53 feet below that of Bat Lake.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 147.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 323, 330, 333.
