Porridge Lake
A fitting name for this lake as its water has the consistency of porridge. Much of this lake is now an early stage peat bog. There is a similarly named lake near Ely called Pea Soup Lake that is a fairly challenging “swamp” to reach.
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 Porridge Lake
Find the creek that flows into the very south tip of Fee Lake.
Bushwhack to Porridge Lake
From where the creek enters Fee Lake, follow it upstream heading generally south for about 60 rods. During most of this stretch, the creek is probably passable with you sitting in your canoe. Unfortunately, your luck runs out after that and the creek is swallowed up by the peat bog. The now tiny creek will bend to the west and approach the forest border. Follow the creek into the forest (it may be hard to see by this time) and it will continue west and then bend slightly northwest and come to a little pond. From where the creek became unnavigable back in the peat bog to this small pond is about 80 rugged rods. Once at the small pond, it is just another 5 rods from the ponds north end to the shore of Porridge Lake.
Exploring Porridge Lake
Don’t write off Porridge Lake just because it is swampy. It seems like a pretty interesting lake from satellite photos. The lake has good potential for seeing wildlife. Also, the eastern end of the lake is very rocky, contrasting nicely with the rest of the lake. The entire perimeter of the lake forms a ring of water around two giant peat bog islands that cover much of the lakes surface. While the middle of the lake is forming into a peat bog, the shoreline of Porridge Lake is mostly rocky and forest covered. The lake has the appearance of being turned inside out.
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