Doughboy and I are taking an 8 day trip from July 10-18 with plans of entering at Kawishiwi Lake. Priorities are fishing, scenery and relaxation and we will probably be more heavily loaded than ideal. Considering bringing a screen tent and chairs, neither of which I have ever brought before. Goal of the trip is FUN AND ENJOYMENT, we have nothing to prove. Probably spend 2 nights at the same site at least twice but will move on the other days. Possible lakes/areas to spend time on or travel through include Polly, Koma, Malberg, River, Alice, Thomas, Frazier, Beaver, Adams, Amber, Fishdance, Fisher. Where would you go and why? Given these parameters, design a route for us if you are bored and want to take a shot. Appreciate any input. Any special fishing or camping spots?

jeff

Fun and enjoyment seem to be at odds with carrying a screen tent and chairs across some longer portages. I've seen one abandoned at the beginning of a tougher portage as someone found it less than desirable to carry. Your route has some longish portages so keep that in mind.

I've been through most of the lakes on your list and I'd suggest you leave Thomas, Fraser, Beaver, and Adams off your route. To me, relaxation and long paddles/portages seem contrary. I like to get beyond the crush of the highly used areas so I'd suggest you do go beyond Malberg. River Lake, Fishdance, and Alice would be my targes. Fishing can be good in all of these and you won't have as many people there. Alice has some nice sandy beaches and great fishing but if the weather changes and the wind decides to howl out of the northwest, getting out for fishing can be rugged. I've taken water over the bow paddling into the waves on Alice. Fishdance and River lakes are much more shelteres (and closer). If you camped on River, Amber or Bow would be an easy day trip to try fishing them.

RM, thanks for the input, good thoughts. The screen tent is my buddys idea and the jury is still out on that. Would be great to have but...as you said a load to carry. Aside from that and the chairs we pack pretty light. If we could double portage with that whole load, taking our time, I guess it would be okay. No way would i do more than double portage.

Seems like Thomas and Frazier are noted for scenery and good fishing but definitely at the farthest point from the entry. Many talk about the beauty and seclusion of Beaver and Adams but fishing wise they don't survey very well. Interesting to hear your thoughts.

lindylair-

I have been in the Kawishiwi Lake entry the last two years and there is some nice country there. I did not fish, so I can't tell you anything about that. I have not been to all of the places you are considering, but my first trip in 2013 did include some of the ones you are considering beyond Malberg. For reference, I am not young and strong and I double portage. The total weight of everything I'm not wearing for an 8-day trip weighs less than 100 pounds.

You can get some information and pictures on the route from the entry to Malberg from both my 2013 and 2014 trip reports. Here is a link to pictures from my last three trips if you want to get a view of some of the area. In 2013 I entered right after Labor Day and went up to Beaver and Adams and back down to River and Amber.

If you go to Polly the first day like I have, you'll have about 9 miles with 3 miles of [double] portaging. You may have some extra mud-slogging on the river section if water levels are low like they were on my 2013 trip. None of these portages are hard - there is some modest elevation gain - and most have easy landings, but almost all of the portaging is at the end with a 2-minute paddle across Townline separating a 189-rod portage and a 95-rod portage. The portages may be busy. There are plenty of nice sites on Polly, but it is a destination and you'll want to get there early.

The portages from Polly to Malberg are not difficult either. I stayed at the northwest campsite on Malberg, which was nice. It's low-lying with a beach landing. On the way out I stayed at the "narrows" site, which I also liked (it's elevated) although it has been well-used.

In 2013, I headed northwest out of Malberg to Beaver and Adams, then back down the river to Amber. Portages out of Malberg are less-used. The portage from Beaver to Adams is not too long or difficult, but the landing is awkward and there is some gradual climb. It is a very cool portage though, starting along a sheer rock face.

Adams is a beautiful lake. The island site that everyone touts was occupied, so I stayed at the one east of there. I liked it because it's elevated and less-used, but it has a sloping granite landing and a long, steep climb to camp. But it does have a great view.

It was very buggy that year even at that time. The island sites on the river were quite bad so I went into Amber. One site is a low-lying beach site, probably quite buggy. I stayed (as a solo) at the other site on the rock hoping that it would be less buggy. The site has a poor landing, cramped fire area and limited tent site. Other than that . . .

If you were considering looping from Fraser to Adams via Sagus, Cap, and Boulder you'd want to reconsider with a heavy load from what I have found on researching that area.

Have a nice trip, lindy!

I've camped or stopped for lunch on Polly and each time we had bear sightings, once in the campsite. Polly is at the confluence of a couple routes and it's a natural stopping spot for inexperienced campers and that makes for bears that are accustomed to finding food in camp. I would either stop early in Kawasachong or push on through to Koma or Malberg for the overnight. I've started in Kawishiwi lake and made it to Fishdance in one day but that takes some hard paddling and portaging quickly. I wouldn't recommend planning on going that far.

Thanks Boonie for the good info. I have heard about the portages in the Cap/Roe area and am not interested in checking them out. If we make it to Thomas we might check Fraser out for a night or a daytrip but would then retreat back the way we came.

RM, good advice about Polly, I have heard it's bear reputation. I think Kawaschong would be too early to stop on the first day so we would probably push on to at least Koma, if not Malberg. Is Koma a nice lake? Any eyes?

I definitely plan on spending time in the Malberg, River, Fishdance and Alice area - trying to decide which would be better for a night or two, the Thomas/Fraser area or the Beaver/Adams area.

I have been in the Mahlberg area several times and here is my take on your adventure.

For 8 Days I would travel in to Mahlberg the first day. It is a haul but can be done and is worth the effort. I have done it double portaging several times. Once there, I would use it as a base camp for the next 2 days. I agree with the campsites suggested so far and would add that the first campsite on the south shore of the eastern lobe of the lake is also excellent.

Spend a day paddling and fishing the Kawishiwi River down to the Fishdance Lake Pictos. Once there you can judge your time remaining for a visit to Alice Lake. We have also spent a day bobbing like a cork on Alice. It seems likely that you will also. Or you can stay in the sheltered south east bay to fish for a little while and then head back to more sheltered water on the Kawishiwi river.

On the third day, I would head east out of Mahlberg on the Louse River. Be prepared to encounter beaver dams and beautiful river paddling. Your destination is Frond and/or Boze Lakes. That should give you some solitude and some very interesting paddling and route finding.

Fourth Day - Travel northeast out of Mahlberg. Your ultimate destination is Little Sag. You will be in and out of the canoe this day but the rewards are worth it. Try fishing Pan Lake for walleyes. I believe Pan has a nice sand beach on the northeast corner near the portage. Makwa Lake has beautiful cliffs. Elton Lake is longer than your first look will tell you. We have stayed on Elton if the day is getting late. Go out the far north end of Elton and marvel at the spectacular beaver dam at the portage. Try for the peninsula campsite on the south shore of Little Sag. Its the one the furthest east along the south shore before you get into the narrows. The north shore of L Sag has been burned. (Cavity Lake Fire -about 10 years ago?)

Days Five and Six - Spend a day fishing the back bays of L Sag. If the weather (wind) is cooperative and you can safely cross Gabimichgami, you can take a day trip north to the beautiful falls between Agamok Lake and Mueller Lake. Where the Kekakabic Trail crosses the portage, head east for about a quarter mile on the Trail. At the bridge, the old portage trail follows the river down a set of falls to just before Mueller Lake.

Day 7 - Retace your steps out to Mahlberg or Koma Lake. I understand that Koma is overlooked for fine walleye fishing.

Day 8 - Back to Kawishwi Lake.

If you were traveling a little lighter, here are 2 variations you could explore -

1. At Makwa Lake head northwest to Hoe, Fee, Vee, and Ledge Lake. From there turn south into Boulder Lake. I have not been through this route and my understanding is that the route finding can be tricky between Ledge and Boulder. It is on my bucket list. Spend a couple of days on Boulder Lake. Trip back out to Mahlberg or Koma for a night and then out to Kawishwi.

2. If you really want to see Fraser, Thomas and Alice keep heading west out of Ledge Lake to Cap, Roe, Sagus and Fraser Lakes. Then turn south for your return to Mahlberg through Fraser, Thomas, Alice and the Kawishiwi River.

If you are going to do either of the variations, omit the day fishing the Kawishiwi River out of Mahlberg as you will travel that route out of Alice Lake to get back to Mahlberg.

About 5 years ago my sons and I did an 8 day trip out of Kawishiwi ending at Sawbill. We saw many of the lakes you mentioned. It was not what I would call relaxing, but it had all the other earmarks you where looking for. (Except maybe the fishing, we did some but, not as much as you would like I think. And we definitely did not carry a screen tent. ) Day 1 Kawishiwi to Koma. Day 2 Koma to Alice (Via the Pictos). Day 3 Alice to Kekakabic. Day 4 Kekakabic to Mueller, via Thunder point and SAK. Day 5 Mueller to Mora. Day 6 Mora to Mesaba. Day 7 Layover on Mesaba. Day 8 Out to Sawbill. Just some food for thought.

Have a great trip.

In 2008 I spent first night on Polly then went to the eastern most bay of Malberg and spent 4 nights there. There's a very nice site in the bay with a small beach and the site sits about 8 feet off the water. We fished Malberg a few days and took day trips the others. A nice loop day trip is to go northeast then west through the river and back down into Malberg. Blue gills in the river bays.

Kiskavinna is a very nice off the path lake to either camp or fish for Walleyes. I caught a beauty there of maybe 6 lbs. and they are very dark colored with yellow bellys.

I bought a Nemo bugout screen tent for this year and if you're looking to relax then I would take one along considering the time of year you're going unless you'll be on the move a lot. You can go out in one day from Malberg pretty easily with light packs (no food).

Lindylair-

If you decide to go NE out of Malberg towards Little Sag, be aware that we did that last fall (see trip report) and one of the portages is flooded out, necessitating some work arounds, so eat the heavy food first ;).

quote Michwall2: "I have been in the Mahlberg area several times and here is my take on your adventure.

For 8 Days I would travel in to Mahlberg the first day. It is a haul but can be done and is worth the effort. I have done it double portaging several times. Once there, I would use it as a base camp for the next 2 days. I agree with the campsites suggested so far and would add that the first campsite on the south shore of the eastern lobe of the lake is also excellent.

Days Five and Six - Spend a day fishing the back bays of L Sag. If the weather (wind) is cooperative and you can safely cross Gabimichgami, you can take a day trip north to the beautiful falls between Agamok Lake and Mueller Lake. Where the Kekakabic Trail crosses the portage, head east for about a quarter mile on the Trail. At the bridge, the old portage trail follows the river down a set of falls to just before Mueller Lake.

Have a great trip.


"

The site by the bridge on the Kek I wanted to stay at in the early planning stages...FWIW So your day 5-6 would be perfect.
Screen "tent" stays home...screen box room goes with.

Anyone ever bring "Yard Guard?"
Never seems to last very long...