Plug Lake
It appears that Plug Lake drains toward both Juniper Lake (mostly) and into Long Island Lake (to a lesser extent). This could have something to do with the lakes name too.
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 Plug Lake
From Juniper Lake: This is the easiest approach (assuming you are already there of course). Head up the creek found in the middle of the south shore, in the eastern half of Juniper Lake.
From Long Island Lake: This route is for those who really like bushwhacking. Find the small creek entering Long Island Lake in the western most bay of Long Island Lake.
Bushwhack to Plug Lake
From Juniper Lake: Head along the creek to the south for about 15 rods until you reach a large pond that lies just north of Plug Lake. The creek into this pond is probably not passable, unless the water levels are very high. Cross the pond to its southeast corner. From here, a 5 rod bushwhack along a channel gets you into Plug Lake.
From Long Island Lake: I would not take this route, but from Long Island Lake, bushwhack along an impassable creek through the forest for about 130 rods until you reach the south end of Plug Lake. The creek (if you can find it) will provide directional help, so you won't have to keep referring to GPS and/or compass. A small pond will be encountered about 100 rods into the bushwhack which will provide a little respite before undertaking the final 40 rods of the 'whack'.
Exploring Plug Lake
Plug Lake has a geometrically odd shoreline with lots of points and bays to check out. Most of the shoreline is forested. The southeast end of the lake is more boggy.
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