Creek Depth: Over 50 feet in the South Kawishiwi River just west of Bruin Lake. Over 20 feet in places between Lake Four and Hudson Lake. Over 20 feet in places downstream of Lake One.
Fire History:
River Length: From its source at Kawishiwi Lake to its mouth at Fall Lake, the river is 75 miles long including 33 miles of distance for the 18 lakes it flows through. The Kawishiwi River drainage covers and area of 1,230 square miles.
Last Visited: May 31, 2021; Previous Visit(s): May 25, 2015
River Elevation: Headwaters at Kawishiwi Lake at 1643 feet. Mouth at Fall Lake at 1319 feet. From Kawishiwi Lake to Square Lake the river drops one foot of elevation from 1643 feet to 1642 feet
Water Clarity: N/A
ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM THE KAWISHIWI RIVER:
Too many to list, see below.
Kawishiwi River
Tofte Ranger District
This river passes through many lakes and winds for 75 miles starting from its headwaters at Kawishiwi Lake. Just downstream of Lake One, the Kawishiwi River splits into two channels. The northern channel of the river is aptly named the North Kawishiwi River and the south channel is called the South Kawishiwi River. The North Kawishiwi River continues generally west before ending at Fall Lake after it flows over Kawishiwi Falls. The South Kawishiwi River flows toward the southwest before reaching its mouth at Birch Lake. So oddly enough, this river ends in two different lakes.
The name of this river comes from the Ojibwe language. Kawishiwi translates roughly to mean "the river of beaver lodges". You will certainly see many beaver lodges along the banks of the Kawishiwi River. You will also likely have to lift your gear over several beaver dams.
Much of the Kawishiwi River is relatively shallow and there is little current. The sections that contain rapids and waterfalls are easily bypassed by portages. It is possible to paddle the river in either the upstream or downstream direction.
Good fishing can be had at many spots along the river. The upper portion of the river has relatively few campsites. Most campsites are actually found on the many lakes through which the river flows. Downstream of Lake One there are far more campsites directly on the river. The North Kawishiwi River and South Kawishiwi River are much wider than the Kawishiwi River.
The timber from Fall Lake and all along the North and South Kawishiwi River, as well as the stretch of river upstream through Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three and Lake Four was harvested by the Knox Lumber Company and then later by the St. Croix Lumber Company. The hub of this activity was Winton, Minnesota. The first sawmill was established in Winton in 1893 by the Knox Lumber Company. This company was bought by St. Croix Lumber Company in 1899. The sawmill was sold again in 1911 for the final time. Operations ended in Winton in 1923 (Heinselman, 1999).
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 1 – Western Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 183-186, 192, 193, 199, 201, 213, 219, 225, 233, 241, 247.
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 47, 50, 52, 55, 62, 63, 71, 141, 150, 165, 173, 174, 205.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 13, 100-105, 201.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 184, 185, 204, 239.
Rom, William N., M.D., Canoe Country Wilderness (Stillwater: Voyageur Press, 1987), 39, 40-44, 123, 130.
Traveling the Kawishiwi River (downstream) from Kawishiwi Lake to Fall Lake
Click this link to see the Kawishiwi River headed in upstream direction. THE FOLLOWING LINKS SHOW THE ENTIRE KAWISHIWI RIVER IN ORDER, HEADING DOWNSTREAM STARTING FROM KAWISHIWI LAKE. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE RIVER ALL THE WAY TO WHERE THE RIVER SPLITS INTO THE NORTH AND SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER.BEYOND THAT POINT FOLLOW EITHER THE NORTH KAWISHIWI RIVER OR SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER LINK TO THE RIVERS MOUTH AT FALL LAKE..
Malberg has two routes (#1 or #2) back into the Kawishiwi River:
1a) Take the shortcut to River Lake via the west arm of Malberg Lake
1b) Then Portage from Malberg Lake to River Lake
2a) Take the long way via the east arm of Malberg if you want to see all of the Kawishiwi River
2b) Then Portage from Malberg Lake into the Kawishiwi River
2c) Next, paddle the Kawishiwi River to the River Lake portage
2d) Lastly, portage from the Kawishiwi River to River Lake
2e) Paddle west across River Lake from the River Lake portage about a half-mile and rejoin the other route (#1)
Continue paddling across River Lake to the Fishdance Lake portage
Portage from River Lake to Fishdance Lake
Paddling Fishdance Lake from the River Lake portage to the Kawishiwi River portage
Portage from Fishdance Lake to the Kawishiwi River
Paddle a short stretch of the Kawishiwi River to the next portage
Portage from the Kawishiwi River to Alice Lake
Paddling Alice Lake from the Kawishiwi River, across the south end of the land and then back into the Kawishiwi River
Paddling the Kawishiwi River from Lake Alice to the Lake Insula portage
Portage from the Kawishiwi River to Lake Insula
Paddling Lake Insula from the Kawishiwi River portage to the Hudson Lake portage
Portage from Lake Insula to Hudson Lake
Paddling Hudson Lake from the Insula Lake portage to the Kawishiwi River portage
Portage 17 rods downstream from Hudson Lake to the Kawishiwi River
Paddling Kawishiwi River from 17 rod portage downstream to 25 rod portage
Portage 25 rods downstream from the Kawishiwi River back into the Kawishiwi River
Paddling the Kawishiwi River from the 25 rod portage to the Lake Four portage
Paddling Lake Four from the 25 rod Kawishiwi River portage to Lake Three
Paddlling Lake Three from Lake Four to Lake Two Paddling Lake Two from Lake Three to the Lake One portage Portage from Lake Two to Lake One across the two portages separated by a pond
Paddling the Kawishiwi River from the 36 rod portage downstream to the 10 rod portage
Portage 10 rods from the Kawishiwi River downstream back into the Kawishiwi River
Paddle the Kawishiwi River from the 10 rod portage to where the river splits into north and south channels:
Continue on the North Kawishiwi River (clicking this link will take you to the North Kawishiwi River page)
Continue on the South Kawishiwi River (clicking this link will take you to the South Kawishiwi River page)
STARTING AT BWCA ENTRY POINT 38 AND PADDLING ACROSS KAWISHIWI LAKE
View of Kawishiwi Lake from the BWCA Entry Point 37 canoe landing.
Video of paddling across Kawishiwi Lake - coming in 2022
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM KAWISHIWI LAKE TO SQUARE LAKE
Paddling downstream from the outlet of the Kawishiwi River at Kawishiwi Lake until reaching Square Lake. There is usually a small beaver dam just before reaching Square Lake that will require a liftover.
PADDLING SQUARE LAKE FROM THE KAWISHIWI RIVER TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER PORTAGE
Paddling through Square Lake along a route down the Kawishiwi River.
PORTAGE FROM SQUARE LAKE BACK INTO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
Short portage of about 20 rods from Square Lake, downstream into the Kawishiwi River.
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE SQUARE LAKE PORTAGE TO THE 5 ROD WATERFALL PORTAGE
Short, scenic stretch of river. The canoe landing is just above the small waterfall on the right along the rock ledge.
PORTAGE OF 5 RODS AROUND THE SMALL WATERFALL
Very short portage. Can be worth wetting a line here, just below the waterfall.
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE 5 ROD WATERFALL PORTAGE TO KAWASACHONG LAKE
There is usually a beaver dam along this stretch that you will have to haul over. There is a very short stretch of fast water just before Kawasachong Lake that requires a little maneuvering.
PADDLING KAWASACHONG LAKE FROM THE KAWISHIWI RIVER INLET TO THE TOWNLINE LAKE PORTAGE
After entering Kawasachong Lake while traveling downstream along the Kawishiwi River, paddle over to where that river leaves the lake.
From near the outlet of the Kawishiwi River on Kawasachong Lake, paddle to the Townline Lake portage.
PORTAGE FROM KAWASACHONG LAKE TO TOWNLINE LAKE
A well worn path through forest that was burned in 2011 by the massive Pagami Creek Fire.
PADDLING TOWNLINE LAKE FROM THE KAWASACHONG LAKE PORTAGE TO THE LAKE POLLY PORTAGE
Quick paddle across this small lake to the next portage heading in the direction of Lake Polly.
PORTAGE FROM TOWNLINE LAKE TO LAKE POLLY
The second lengthy portage along the route to Lake Polly. This portage starts in the back of an inlet on Townline Lake.
PADDLING LAKE POLLY FROM THE TOWNLINE LAKE PORTAGE TO THE 19 ROD KAWISHIWI RIVER PORTAGE
Long circuitous route through the island laced Polly Lake. Most of Lake Polly avoided the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, so you'll see green forest again once you reach this lake.
PORTAGE OF 19 RODS DOWNSTREAM TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
A simple portage along a well worn path. The landings are good on both ends.
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE 19 ROD PORTAGE DOWNSTREAM TO THE 48 ROD PORTAGE
It's probably 200 yards to the next portage.
PORTAGE OF 48 RODS DOWNSTREAM TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
Another easy walk. This is the middle of the three portages along the stretch of river between Lake Polly and Koma Lake. There used to be a road crossing at the upstream end of this portage. This road was used by loggers as recently as the early 1960's.
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE 48 ROD PORTAGE DOWNSTREAM TO THE 127 ROD PORTAGE
Another really short paddle until arriving at the longest of the three portages.
PORTAGE OF 127 RODS DOWNSTREAM TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
A well traveled portage. It is easy, albeit slightly long.
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE 127 ROD PORTAGE DOWNSTREAM TO KOMA LAKE
After the 127 rod portage, it's a short paddle to cover the rest of the distance to Koma Lake.
PADDLING KOMA LAKE FROM THE KAWISHIWI RIVER TO THE MALBERG LAKE PORTAGE
From where the Kawishiwi River flows into the south end of Koma Lake, travel generally northward until reaching the north shoreline. Here you decide to stop at BWCA Campsite 1060. This campsite is just southeast down the shore from the Malberg Lake portage.
Paddling from BWCA Campsite 1060 to the Malberg Lake portage.
PORTAGE FROM KOMA LAKE TO MALBERG LAKE
A scenic portage with good views of the Kawishiwi River rapids between Koma Lake and Malberg Lake.
NO INFORMATION YET FOR THE STRETCH OF THE KAWISHIWI RIVER BETWEEN MALBERG LAKE AND LAKE THREE - COMING SOON
PADDLING LAKE TWO FROM LAKE THREE TO THE LAKE ONE PORTAGE
From the Lake Three channel, generally follow the south shore of Lake Two to almost its western shoreline, then turn north and land at the Lake One portage.
PORTAGE FROM LAKE TWO TO LAKE ONE
This is a three part portage. From Lake Two, make a short carry until reaching the pond. Reload all your gear in the boat and paddle across the pond. Then do the second portage to the shore of Lake One. This is a scenic portage with good views of the rapids between these two lakes.
THE KAWISHIWI RIVER HAS TWO ROUTES THROUGH LAKE ONE (#1 AND #2):
ROUTE #1: #1A: PADDLING LAKE ONE FROM THE LAKE TWO PORTAGE TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER (CONFUSION LAKE) PORTAGE
#1B: PORTAGE FROM LAKE ONE TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER (CONFUSION LAKE)
This portage starts on Lake One just west of the old logging dam. Good views of this historic dam can be obtained from just off the portage trail. The path ends at Confusion Lake. Confusion Lake is just a wide section of the Kawishiwi River. This lake isn't shown on all maps (it is on the Fisher maps).
#1C: PADDLING CONFUSION LAKE FROM THE LAKE ONE PORTAGE TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER PORTAGE
#1D: PORTAGE FROM CONFUSION LAKE TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
After the short paddle across Confusion Lake, you now have a short portage from Confusion Lake to the Kawishiwi River. This is an easy portage around some rapids.
#1E: PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE CONFUSION LAKE PORTAGE TO THE 36 ROD PORTAGE (JUST NORTHEAST OF PLUKESLEY LAKE)
ROUTE #2: #2A: PADDLING LAKE ONE FROM THE LAKE TWO PORTAGE TO THE BWCA ENTRY POINT 30 LANDING
#2B: PADDLING LAKE ONE FROM THE BWCA ENTRY POINT 30 LANDING TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER PORTAGE
The the entry point, paddle to the southwest about one mile to reach the short portage into the Kawishiwi River. This section of Lake One is rather shallow (especially if the water levels are low), so watch for submerged rocks and logs.
#2C: PORTAGE 20 RODS FROM LAKE ONE TO THE KAWISHIWI RIVER
A little portage over a small hill.
#2D: PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER FROM THE 20 ROD PORTAGE DOWNSTREAM TO THE 36 ROD PORTAGE (JUST NORTHEAST OF PLUKESLEY LAKE)
Traveling the Kawishiwi River (upstream) from Fall Lake to Kawishiwi Lake
PADDLING THE KAWISHIWI RIVER UPSTREAM FROM SQUARE LAKE TO KAWISHIWI LAKE
There is almost always a small beaver dam across the Kawishiwi River just before it flows into Square Lake. From that beaver dam, paddle upstream until entering the northeast part of Kawishiwi Lake.
