Nahimana 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.
Have not been able to discover the meaning of the name Nahimana. Mana is typically associated with magic. Nahimana Lake has a single island. Some odd looking peat bog islands hug much of the lakes northern shoreline. A small pond lying just to the west of Nahimana Lake appears to be accessible up a small, but floatable creek. The lake used to have a single unmaintained campsite, but recent visits have reported that the old side was located on a slope and not worth the bother. The lakes south shore appears to have some solid ground with trees for hanging food packs.
Like Brigand Lake, Nahimana Lake had a maintained campsite, but there are no maps that indicate it ever had a maintained portage.
This area of the BWCA has escaped fire for a long time. The most recent fire was in 1755. That fire is known as the Big Moose, Oyster and Lac La Croix complex. Another fire affected the area in 1681.
Approach to Nahimana Lake
The most straightforward approach is from Thumb Lakes' west end near to where the portage/bushwhack to Contentment Lake is begun.
Bushwhack to Nahimana Lake
The bushwhack follows a tiny, unfloatable creek south for perhaps 20 rods at which point paddlers enter a large peat bog. Depending on water levels, you will have to walk, wade and maybe even paddle across this morass for about 35 rods. On the otherside is a small open water pond. Cross the pond and then bushwhack another 10 rods or so south along the little creek through the forest. Finally, you will reach a wide part of the creek or maybe its really a slim north arm of Nahimana Lake. Paddle down this waterway for another 20 rods into the open waters of Nahimana Lake.
Exploring Nahimana Lake
Upon entering Nahimana Lake from Thumb Lake, you will see a small island. There are also several other islands that look almost like barrier islands along the lakes north shore. These "barrier islands" are made of peat. Also, just upon entering Nahimana Lake, to the left is a small creek that can be paddled up into a small pond that lies just to the west. This small pond is surrounded by short trees standing in the bog that surrounds it. Perhaps a good place to spot a moose some evening?
The campsite that used to be maintained on Nahimana's north shore is not worth staying at because it is situated on a slope. This campsite was shown on maps from the W.A. Fisher Superior-Quetico Map Book that was published in 1980.
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