ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM LITTLE BASS LAKE:
To North Hegman Lake: Walk the 180 rod portage
Little Bass Lake
Kawishiwi Ranger District
LITTLE BASS LAKE CAMPSITE: Campsite 1 (#1901): Easternmost campsite on the lake Campsite 2 (#1902): Northernmost campsite on the lake (possibly closed as of 2023 - no latrine found) Campsite 3 (#1903): Westernmost campsite on the lake
This lake is also known as Erickson Lake. The Minnesota DNR Lake Finder website lists it as Erickson Lake.
Little Bass Lake is very quiet, probably because of the necessity to cross a 180 rod portage to reach it. If South Hegman Lake's campsites are filled up, come visit this lake. Good chance you'll have the entire lake to yourself.
One thing you may notice is all the dead trees along the shoreline of Little Bass Lake. The water level of the lake is currently (2023) about two feet below the old waterline. The Minnesota DNR mentions on their Lake Finder website that in 2014 the lake was about 1.5 feet below the waterline. So the low water levels seems to be a long term condition. Perhaps a beaver dam blew out sometime before 2014 and hasn't been reestablished. Haven't found any information on this lake being dammed (which was often done for logging operations).
There used to be a logging camp at the current location of BWCA Campsite 1902 (the middle and northernmost campsite). There is an overgrown road that leads back into the forest heading north from the campsite. There are many relics scattered in the brush behind this campsite from the logging period, including the two front fenders of an old truck and what is likely a fuel tank (that may have been attached to the truck?). Old metal buckets and other stuff is also to be found. If you follow the road north, it joins another road in about 1,200 feet. At the intersection you may be able to find an old U.S. Geological Survey elevation marker (1485 feet). This is actually the far western end of North Grassy Road (the same road that you take to reach the Mudro Lake Entry Point). Didn't explore it, but satellite images show what may be a trail (old logging road?) about 80 feet west of the intersection that heads north to the south end of Holy Lake. From the intersection to the south end of Holy Lake is about 1,500 feet.
The 180 rod portage into this lake is long, but not otherwise difficult.
Little Bass Lake drains to the south through a creek into Nels Lake. The lake is fed by drainage from Hopkins Lake and perhaps Holy Lake.
References:
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 131.
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PADDLING FROM NORTH HEGMAN LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1901
After leaving the North Hegman Lake portage, head up the channel to the north. When the lake opens up, follow the eastern shoreline until arriving at BWCA Campsite 1901 on the point.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1901 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1902
Follow the east shoreline around the northeast bay of Little Bass Lake to reach the next campsite.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1902 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1903
Paddle to the west across the northeast bay of Little Bass Lake and work your way west around the large point that extends southward from the lakes north shoreline. The campsite is located near a small island.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1903 TO NORTH END OF LAKE, THEN SOUTH TO NORTH HEGMAN LAKE PORTAGE
View of the island just offshore from BWCA Campsite 1903.
From the campsite, paddle into the long north arm of the lake and follow the eastern shoreline to its north end. Backtrack down the north arm of the lake, this time following the west shoreline. After leaving the north arm, continue down the west shoreline of Little Bass Lake until reaching the portage to North Hegman Lake.
Route Connections for Little Bass Lake
From Little Bass Lake, you can portage to North Hegman Lake. It may be possible to bushwhack along the remains of an old logging road to Holy Lake.
