ELLA LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1: (#834) - Southernmost campsite on this lake Campsite 2: (#835) - Northernmost campsite on this lake
Ella Lake is one of the "Lady Chain of Lakes". These lakes west of Alton Lake were likely named by a forest ranger named Bill Mulligan. The lakes are named after his aunts.
If you are trying to decide whether you should take the 285 rod portage from Beth Lake or the two shorter portages through Ella Lake, the easiest route is the 285 rod portage. The portage from Beth Lake to Ella Lake is flat and rather easy. The portage from Ella Lake to Grace Lake is not very easy. The Ella Lake route will be quieter, as far fewer paddlers go this way.
No information on the Ella Lake fishery.
There doesn't appear to be any inflows into Ella Lake. The water from this lake drains out a very small creek to the south into Beth Lake.
PADDLING FROM THE BETH LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 834
View of Ella Lake from the Beth Lake portage. This view is looking towards the north in the autumn.
It's a relatively short paddle up the east shoreline to the campsite. Visit BWCA Campsite 834 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 834 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 835
A brief paddle northbound along the east shoreline to the other campsite on Ella Lake. Visit BWCA Campsite 835 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 835 TO THE GRACE LAKE PORTAGE
The portage to Grace Lake is almost due west of the campsite. Instead of paddling directly to the portage, we paddle northbound up the east shoreline until reaching the north end of Ella Lake. We then circle back to the south to finally arrive at the portage landing. At the 9:56 mark in this video you can see a young beaver swim underneath the canoe coming in from the left side of the boat and surfacing on the right side. Portage to Grace Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE GRACE LAKE PORTAGE TO THE BETH LAKE PORTAGE
Paddling down the west shoreline to the Beth Lake portage located on the south end of Ella Lake. Portage to Beth Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
