ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM BALD EAGLE LAKE:
To Gabbro Lake: Walk the unmarked 8 rod portage
To Gull Lake: Walk the 190 rod portage
To Isabella River: Paddle In
To Turtle Lake: Walk the 140 rod portage
Bald Eagle Lake
Kawishiwi Ranger District
BALD EAGLE LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1: (#1721) - Third site south of the north tip of long point that extends out from west shoreline in the lakes northwest corner Campsite 2: (#1722) - In the back of the large bay on the west side of the lake Campsite 3: (#1723) - Just south of large bend in lake's west shoreline, about 1-mile north/northwest of the Isabella River mouth Campsite 4: (#1727) - First site north of the mouth of the Isabella River along the east shoreline Campsite 5: (#1728) - Second campsite north of the mouth of the Isabella River along the eastern shoreline Campsite 6: (#1730) - Just a few minutes paddle south of the Gull Lake portage on the east side of the lake Campsite 7: (#1718) - Just a short paddle east of the Gabbro Lake portage and just west of the Turtle Lake portage
Campsite 8: (#1725) - This campsite appears to be abandoned. Lots of blowdown over the site now (CLOSED) - Last visited on July 28, 2023
Campsite 9: (#1719) - On tip of the point just east of the Gabbro Lake portage
Campsite 10: (#1720) - Middle of the three campsite on the point just east of the Gabbro Lake portage
Campsite 11: (#1729) - Second campsite south of the Gull Lake portage along the east shoreline
There are two campsites that come with a sand beach along the western shoreline. These are Campsites 1721 and 1722. Most folks will probably find Campsite 1721 the better of the two, but Campsite 1722 is more private, being set back in a bay away from the lakes main travel routes.
The fishing, especially for northern pike is good in this lake. Lake also has good walleye fishing. You probably won't be bored.
The Gull Lake portage and the Turtle Lake portage are both fairly long. Also, if heading to either of these lakes from Bald Eagle Lake, there is a noticeable elevation gain. The loop of five lakes (Gull Lake, Pietro Lake, Camdre Lake, Clearwater Lake and Turtle Lake) north of Bald Eagle Lake see relatively few visitors, especially since the Pagami Creek Fire in 2011. The portage between Gabbro Lake and Bald Eagle Lake isn't shown on many BWCA maps, but it is there. It's about 8 rods long.
The Northwest Paper Company bought a federal timber block in 1950. Logging from that sale probably started around 1955. Most of this area is along the south side of Bald Eagle Lake. This logging operation continued into the 1970's (Heinselman).
A large fire occurred in this area in 1824. This is known as the Bald Eagle-Isabella fire. It probably started just west of Bald Eagle Lake and moved eastward for roughly 18 miles (to within a couple miles of Isabella Lake) burning a total of 60,000 acres. Extended to the north and south to Lake Three and the Island River (Heinselman).
Only the eastern and northern side of the large bay located in the northeastern part of Bald Eagle Lake was impacted by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire.
The Isabella River flows from south to north through Bald Eagle Lake.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 1 – Western Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 185, 190, 213, 220, 223, 225, 226, 230, 231, 232, 233, 240, 241, 246, 247.
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 46.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 13, 200, 57, 118, 119, 162.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 201-202, 210-211, 225.
Rom, William N., M.D., Canoe Country Wilderness (Stillwater: Voyageur Press, 1987), 43, 123.
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PADDLING FROM GABBRO LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1721
Soon after leaving the portage, the channel (actually it's the Isabella River) becomes shallow and you'll need to look out for the rocks just below the surface (this assumes that water levels aren't high). Pass a campsite on your right (BWCA Campsite 1719) just before you reach the open waters of Bald Eagle Lake. As you enter the main part of the lake, make a hard left (to the south) and paddle southwest along the shoreline to the campsite.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1722 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1723
Travel east from the campsite and make for the large mid-lake bend. Once at the bend, continue to follow the shoreline southeast to the next campsite. It's located on a rocky shoal. Visit the BWCA Campsite 1723 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1723 TO THE MOUTH OF THE ISABELLA RIVER
Head to the southeast along the shoreline. Before you reach the mouth of the Isabella River, you will pass BWCA Campsite 1724 (located in a copse of trees). BWCA Campsite 1725 may no longer exist, but you'll pass it (maybe you can find it). Campsite 1725 seems to have been damaged by blowdown. You'll pass through fields of wild rice as you approach the river mouth. Paddle the Isabella River -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE MOUTH OF THE ISABELLA RIVER TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1727
View from BWCA Campsite 1727. Direction is towards the south/southwest.
It's a brief paddle northward up the east shoreline to this campsite. There is a string of four or five large boulders out in front of the site which makes it easy to find. BWCA Campsite 1727 has a large pine tree that also helps pinpoint it. Visit the BWCA Campsite 1727 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1727 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1728
Campsite 1727 is only about 1,000 feet north of Campsite 1728. It's behind the small island. Visit the BWCA Campsite 1728 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1728 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1730
Looking southeast down the shoreline from BWCA Campsite 1730.
Following the eastern shoreline on a north heading, you will come to a point. At the base of the point (where it connects to the mainland) is the location of BWCA Campsite 1730. It can be a bit difficult to spot from the water. Visit the BWCA Campsite 1730 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1730 TO THE TURTLE LAKE PORTAGE
Follow the shoreline to the northwest. The portage to Turtle Lake is at the back of the bay at the very north tip of Bald Eagle Lake. It's a semi-muddy landing, depending on water levels. Portage to Turtle Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE TURTLE LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1718
A brief paddle from the portage to the campsite (about 1,000 feet). It is straight south of the portage and just to the west of where the shoreline starts to bend in that direction. Visit the BWCA Campsite 1718 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1718 TO THE UNMARKED GABBRO LAKE PORTAGE
Direction of view is southeast from BWCA Campsite 1718.
About 500 feet south of the campsite is a point that marks the north side of the channel leading to Gabbro Lake. Turn west (right) into the channel (which is actually the Isabella River) and paddle a short distance to the portage landing on the left (west). There is a section of shallow water just upstream of the portage that is strewn with boulders. You can easily bottom out your canoe on the rocks, depending on the water level in the channel. Portage to Gabbro Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
Route Connections for Bald Eagle Lake
From Bald Eagle Lake, you can portage to Gabbro Lake, Gull Lake and Turtle Lake. You can also paddle into the Isabella River.
