Kawnipi has been on my bucket list. I was thinking that I would head from Seagull Outfitters, through Cache Lake and the Falls Chain to Kawnipi.

Now, I'm wondering how much time to spend on the Falls Chain. Should I just plow through while working to get to Kawnipi or should I really take my time and spend 2-3 days getting through the Falls Chain?

I am primarily going for the fishing. I hear great stories about the fishing below each set of rapids.

Plenty of fish on the way there and more when you get there. Time of year does make some difference, but there are a lot of fish.

Crazy neat area and very fishy......from Silver Falls all the way to Kawnipi. Tough to "plow" through cuz landings are a little tricky and portages a little tough and you want to take some kodak time and absorb all the sites. You will drool at all the eddys and nice looking pools to throw a lure into. Some nice campsites along the way. I was just there last August so if you want to mark up some maps, let me know.

Take the time for a swim in Kenny Lake, I recommend it!

butthead

butthead: "Take the time for a swim in Kenny Lake, I recommend it!


butthead"

LOL! Nice campsite on Kenny. Good swimming there as opposed to a reed patch.

The one time I went through that way the fishing was better in Kawnipi than the falls.

Personally, I enjoy fishing below falls. But even so, most falls only hold so many fish (unless it's one of those falls with a really good flow of water going through it into a deep hole - those seem to hold quite a few fish). I think your answer is somewhere in the middle. Fish some along the way through the falls chain, and fish even more in Kawnipi. I think there's plenty of time to fish each of the falls and still make it to Kawnipi sometime early to mid afternoon on the second day.

I was out that way in September of 2015. Really nice area. It's cool that there are so many falls along the route, but I'm not sure I liked it any more than most other areas of Quetico I've been to. One of my favorite things about Quetico is just the serenity of a big, clear, remote lake with no one else on it. Lots of places to find that up there.

Personally, if you're going for the fishing I would get to Kawnipi fairly fast. The Falls chain can be really good fishing, but we do better in the lake overall. Definitely don't just plow through though, It is worth fishing your way down and enjoying the spectacular beauty. I just wouldn't spend days there. Campsites are not very plentiful either. Just my opinion. Do be careful, It is one of the more dangerous areas in the Q. Pay close attention to where you are and where you need to be to approach the falls. Some portages are very close, and some are a ways back, but if you miss them it could be pretty scary trying to reverse and go back, especially in a high water year.

We have done that trip 4 times in the last 6 years. IMO if you're after fishing, get to Kawnipi ASAP.

That said, in the spring when we go, the Falls Chain is quite a sight and sound when she’s roaring. Don’t miss the take outs at the portages. A couple are close to the falls.

With no idea what kind of tripper you are, I will say we have made it from Hook Island to North McKenzie Bay in just over 9 hours single portaging, but that was pushing on a good day. Kenny Lake should easily be doable double portaging in a day from Hook Island and there are two good campsites there.

If you get Bald Rock Falls and you already had a day, I would find a campsite. Koko/Little and Canyon Falls portages are by far the toughest on the Chain.

Coming back from Kawnipi, do not miss the far take out at Canyon Falls (Kenny Lake). If you do, you’ll paddle for your life against the current and a rock face in the spring with high flow to get to the short portage takeout. (Yes we made that mistake once. Close call on taking a swim in a BAD spot).

FWIW... we really prefer single portaging this trip even though we normally double portage. Nine portages makes for a looonnnngg day three times over. If you can make it to Kawnipi, you still have three hours paddling to get back into McKenzie Bay or towards the back of Kawa Bay. If it’s a windy day, don’t bother to camp on Kenny, Kawnipi is massive open water in the main part of the lake. In a pinch there is a campsite on Kawnipi not far from Kennebas Falls that’s ok for a night (used quite a bit).

PM me if you want some fishing intel.

QueticoMike: "The one time I went through that way the fishing was better in Kawnipi than the falls."

My thoughts exactly. It's a groovy run no doubt but I can't see spending 2 or 3 days on it. Now if there were big brook trout on the run I might fish it hard ;-)

I’d get to Kawnipi as soon as possible. It is worth it. You might end up on the Falls chain anyway, it is along haul to get to Kawnipi. Can’t wait to get back!

T

I won't try to get to Kawnipi in one day again. Tried last year and made it past Canyon Falls before we gave up. We were double portaging. We also took the longer portage routes as the water was fairly high and I don't mess with waterfalls. They can cut your trip and your life short real quick like.
Heading back we paddled to Saganagons and spent the night then to Cache Bay for our last night and the return trip was much more enjoyable then the trip in. Plus had some time to admire the falls.
We had good fishing everywhere we fished but the fishing in Kawnipi was by far the best.

I'm honestly lost when you guys are talking about these falls, chains and bays. Mind enlightening us who are not familiar with the area/lingo? 20 min on maps is giving me very little to go on starting from Sea Gull EP.

A1t2o: "I'm honestly lost when you guys are talking about these falls, chains and bays. Mind enlightening us who are not familiar with the area/lingo? 20 min on maps is giving me very little to go on starting from Sea Gull EP."

Falls Chain

Route from Cache Bay to Kawnipi. First set of falls is Silver Falls before you get to Saganagons. Then you come to a double set of falls know as Four Falls. Next comes Bald Rock Falls that dump into Sidney Lake. Then you come to the final 4 falls which are Little Falls, Koko, Canyon and Kennabas.

We found the best fishing at Kennabas Falls

cowdoc: " Falls Chain "

Thanks, I hadn't looked that far into Canada so I never would have found it.