Hi,
We are heading out in mid-September for a five day trip. Entering at EP16 Kawishawi and hoping to base camp and day trip. Wondering if anyone has opinions on whether we should base on Polly or shoot for Malberg? We've been to Polly as part of the Lady Chain, but have not made it up to Malberg. In reality, it may be a game time decision based on time/energy/daylight, but just throwing it out there. Thanks in advance.

e.p. 16 is Moose River north??....not Kawishiwi Lake. Typo??..
If you do enter at Kawishiwi, Polly can be quite busy on weekends in Sept, as can many lakes near entry points with "weekenders". I would push to Malberg.

Malberg will likely be less crowded, and has no damage from the the pagami fire (only a small piece of Polly was impacted).

Malberg has a nice site (1058) on the west side. secluded with a small beach.

Oops, yea sorry. Definitely meant Kawishiwi. thanks for the info, sounds like a push to malberg will definitely be worth it.

We stayed on both Polly and Malberg on our trip this year: site 1072 on Polly and 1042 on Malberg. Both were quiet, beautiful, and secluded when we were there, although there *was* another party staying at a nearby site on Polly.

If you're thinking of base camping and day-tripping, either will be good but I think I'd shoot for Malberg - it's a crossroads for various long routes in that area, sitting right next to the Fungus Lake and Humpback Lake PMAs, which means there's good routes in all directions, including a few lengths of loops that could be done in a day depending on how ambitious you are. Polly doesn't offer nearly as much variety.

I was up there a month ago - Polly was getting busy but Malberg was near-empty. I stayed #1056 on the east side of the south arm of Malberg, just north of where the Louse River empties into the lake. It was a great spot and the fishing wasn't too bad. There are lots of day trip options out of Malberg.

Push on to Makwa! Maybe second day. I love the rocky Makwa site! There is an awesome Jack pine by the water, good jumping spots, and a high breezy tent spot.

I was on Malberg in 2017 - we did many day trips and a loop. There are several trip reports out of Malberg - read mine or another - lots of good options. Good fishing on the river below malberg. I'm hoping to spend a week on Stuart in October and maybe do a loop up to the border and the falls on Iron. Hope you have great weather.

I like Malberg because of the plentiful daytrip options. Polly has some, as you can head north or east, but Malberg is better. :)

We went there in June. 3 hours to Polly and 5 to Malberg with a decent pace and single portages. We liked Malberg, as others have said many route options from there. We did Makwa one day, NW another, louse river another, etc.

I'll pile on the Malberg bandwagon.........