Moth Lake
Tiny Moth Lake is named for its shape, which looks like fluttering moth wings. The lake is split into two halves. Burt Lake drains into the north half of Moth Lake and Moth Lake's south half pours out toward Auk Lake.
A number of smaller burns affected the eastern part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in 1936, including some areas in the Hairy Lake Primitive Management Area.
1894 saw a large number of fires throughout the entire BWCA. The fire in this area is called the Snipe Lake/Round Lake area to Gunflint Lake/Pine Lake area complex. This fire probably got its start near Round Lake, a popular BWCA entry point.
A large 1875 fire that likely ignited somewhere near Lake Insula and the Hog Lake area. The fire is known as the Alice Lake/Ogishkemuncie Lake/Tuscarora Lake/Cherokee Lake Complex.
This fire started within what is now the Hairy Lake Primitive Management Area. The ignition point was probably somewhere between Mass Lake and Auk Lake. This fire, which took place in 1846, is called the Auk Lake/Long Island Lake/Cross Bay Lake Complex.
Way back in 1727, the Gordon Lake/Brule Lake/Winchell Lake Complex burned this area. It probably began somewhere near Sawbill Lake.
Approach to Moth Lake
The most reasonable approach is from the northeast end of Auk Lake, beginning at the large peat bog that extends to the north and northeast.
Bushwhack to Moth Lake
From the northeast shore of Auk Lake, proceed to the north across the peat bog that can be found there for about 50 rods. At this point, some open water may be encountered. Skirt the water to the east and continue due north. In another 30 rods, the peat bog narrows to a valley that continues north. A small creek runs down this valley and should soon become evident as bushwhackers continue north. The entire valley is about 30 rods long, but about half way along, the creek should be obvious. The last 15 rods are probably floatable along the creek into Moth Lake.
Exploring Moth Lake
This is a shallow lake with a marshy shoreline. The channel connecting both halves of the lake is probably only 25 feet wide. From the middle of the west shore in the north half of Moth Lake, a creek enters that provides a method to explore the deep interior area of the Hairy Lake PMA. This creek flows upstream much of the way to Mass Lake, which lies a couple miles to the west. Another tiny creek enters the southwest corner, of the north half of Moth Lake. This creek can be followed to Burt Lake.
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