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Tomahawk Lake

Fungus Lake PMA

Good luck reaching this lake. It is one of the most remote of all the PMA lakes.

The name of this lake is historically associated with the Tomahawk Timber Company which logged this area centered on Isabella Lake, which is just north of Forest Center, in the 1940's. There were many roads during that time that criss-crossed this area of the BWCA that were used for logging. You could nearly drive from Isabella Lake to Little Saganaga Lake at the height of logging operations during that period.

This area was scorched by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire that burned much of the southwestern part of the BWCA and was the largest fire in recorded history at about 100,000 acres (almost 10% of the entire BWCA).

There was a large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. This burn began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary near the town of Isabella, Minnesota.

Approach to Tomahawk Lake

From the north end of Perent Lake, follow the creek. You could also approach from the Perent River from GPS point 47.803559, -91.205361. This route would also take you past what is left of Albino Lake.

Bushwhack to Tomahawk Lake

I wouldn’t consider this route unless you have good compass skills and a GPS unit. From Perent Lake, follow the creek that empties into its north bay for about three-quarters of a mile toward the northwest. The creek is navigable at first, but then peters out. Continue along the creek until you reach GPS point: 47.821116, -91.160014. From here, you need to head about three-quarters of a mile to the northwest through untamed forest. About halfway along this trek, you will reach a bog with some open water. Continue across the marsh and stay on the northwest heading until you reach Tomahawk Lake. Your GPS target point on Tomahawk Lake is 47.824253, -91.173608

Exploring Tomahawk Lake

Tomahawk Lake is small and marshy. Most of its shoreline has some peat bog formation. An old spur of the Powwow Trail used to pass just south of here.