Pouch Lake
Have not yet visited this Primitive Management Area lake. The information displayed on this page are notes used for planning a future trip to this area. Use the information on this page at your own risk.
This lake resembles a pouch that is being emptied into the creek that runs just to its south. Pouch Lake drains into this creek and the creek flows toward the east to empty into Gabimichigami Lake.
In 1875, a large fire complex called the Alice Lake/Ogishkemuncie Lake/Tuscarora Lake/Cherokee Lake Complex burned the area around all those major lakes. It probably started near Lake Insula or the Hog Lake area.
There was another large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. Like the fire that burned this area in 1875, it began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary.
Approach to Pouch Lake
The approach to Pouch Lake is begun from the very western tip of the south bay of Gabimichigami Lake.
Bushwhack to Pouch Lake
Follow the creek toward the west/southwest through the forest for about 60 rods. During this rugged stretch, the creek is not floatable in your canoe. Soon, the forest opens up a bit and the creek starts to run in a mostly west to east direction. From here, the creek may be more navigable. The navigability of the creek should improve as you continue west. Continue paddling along for nearly a mile farther west upstream. In a large peat bog through which the stream flows, another tiny creek will merge from the north. This little creek is the outflow channel of Pouch Lake. Follow it 10 rods north to the swampy southern end of Pouch Lake.
Exploring Pouch Lake
The southern end of Pouch Lake where you enter is heavily vegetated, shallow and marsh covered. This may be a difficult area to paddle through if water is low and the lily pads are fully emerged. The rest of the lake is rather ho hum. Most of the shoreline looks soft, with forest coming down to the lakes edge in most places. Like all remote lakes in the BWCA, even swampy little Pouch Lake probably has some hidden beauty that you must experience to appreciate.
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