What is the best way to get to Agnes. Fastest, or easiest.
Also how does the fishing in Agnes compare to Kawnipi?
Thanks

I don't know Agnes all that well but what I did find out was the steep sides tended to funnel the wind rather well and that lake became quite dangerous very quickly. Watch your P's and Q's out there.

Fishing from what I can gather can be good on Agnes although I suspect a bit of a learning curve. Of course fishing is quite good at Kawanipi.

Agnes is a good LT lake and Kawnipi is a good walleye lake

Tow to PP, paddle through Bayley, Burke, Sunday, Meadows, and into Agnes. The portages into and out of Meadows are tougher than some and longish but well worn. Start early and you'll be on Agnes in afternoon.

mastertangler: "I don't know Agnes all that well but what I did find out was the steep sides tended to funnel the wind rather well and that lake became quite dangerous very quickly. Watch your P's and Q's out there.


Fishing from what I can gather can be good on Agnes although I suspect a bit of a learning curve. Of course fishing is quite good at Kawanipi. "

I have an Aunt Agnes !

Other than Lakers Kawnipi is a better fishing lake for walleye, smallmouth, and pike. As stated, the Meadows portages "Big agony, and Little agony" are a bear but are the best way there. Scary lake with a direct north or south wind. Agnes is relatively clear and infertile vs Kawnipi which is stained and relatively fertile( for a Quetico lake), hence the better fishing for Walleye and Smallmouth. Agnes has some decent smallmouth fishing in spots.

How's the fishing in some of the nearby lakes?

Tony - I don't fish - but for what it is worth I have read that Lake Louisa is one of the best lake trout lakes in Ontario. Its also pretty peaceful (solitude) and nice camp sites.

The fastest way is through Sunday over to Meadow portages. Easiest is probably going up the S-Chain. Few, longer portages vs. Many, shorter portages. Fishing in Kawnipi is way better than Agnes unless you are lake trout fishing. We almost always go the fast way through the Meadow portages.

I always go out of Bayley Bay via the Sunday Bay portage into Sunday Lake. I think it is normally faster than the Burke Lake route. It is only one time in and out of the canoe vs twice. Granted the Burke Portage is much easier than the Sunday Bay haul. I can see why some folks would prefer the Burke route. I may give that a shot this August on a solo.

QueticoMike: "The fastest way is through Sunday over to Meadow portages. Easiest is probably going up the S-Chain. Few, longer portages vs. Many, shorter portages. Fishing in Kawnipi is way better than Agnes unless you are lake trout fishing. We almost always go the fast way through the Meadow portages."

QMike has it right. I like the “S” chain, which is also pretty good fishing. Jeff & East represent a compromise. I usually go in through the S chain and exit via the Agonies or Jeff/East. It’s all good. Agnes has some awesome laker fishing.

GraniteCliffs: "I always go out of Bayley Bay via the Sunday Bay portage into Sunday Lake. I think it is normally faster than the Burke Lake route. It is only one time in and out of the canoe vs twice. Granted the Burke Portage is much easier than the Sunday Bay haul. I can see why some folks would prefer the Burke route. I may give that a shot this August on a solo."

Burke Lake route is flat and easy. The Singing Brook portage is a quick out and back in. So much easier than the Sunday Bay portage. Used to go that route. I remember it being a mess after it rains. I seem to recall it was not an easy portage. Been more than 20 years since I have went that route.

Sunday Bay to Sunday lake (the North Portage) significantly quicker but much more arduous carry. Probably three miles or more additional paddling to go through Burke as well as a long exposure to Bayley Bay. The Sunday portage is long and has some climbs. Much of the muck has been cured by community service performed by the Scouts. I always use the North Portage route but I travel light.

I don't like the fact the Sunday portage was "improved." However, when I went through it last summer in the rain.......................................

I think the only advantage Agnes has over Kawnipi is the lake trout fishing (but I have read/heard about people catching LT in Kawnipi, too, so don't take my word as gospel).

I much prefer the north end of Agnes, which isn't quite as busy as the south end, and it gives easy daytrip options to Keewatin, Murdoch, Anubis and Bird, and Dack and beyond.

I have always been interested in Dack Lake as it seems like an isolated dead end. I have stayed in the Northeastern part of Agnes which is sort of a lake within the lake due to islands protecting it. That is my favorite part of Agnes Lake, and the fishing for Walleye is better on the Northern end of the lake. Also, great LT lake as others have said.