Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Albert Lake fishing
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Chardog |
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Axehead |
Regarding the Albert to Jean Lake portage - In 1974 a friend and I (20 and 17 y.o. at the time) went an a long trip through the BWCA and Quetico. We had already gone up to Atikokan via an eastern route - Lake 1… Saganaga… Kawnipi… Nym and were on our way back to Ely (Fall Lake) via a western route - Beaverdam, Quetico River Lac la Croix and were doing some zig zagging in the interior. I only point all of that out to make it clear by this time we were pretty confident of our ability to locate portages. Anyway, going from Sturgeon up to Jean we got to Albert Lake where our map showed a 100 rod portage to Jean and we located the entrance but after about 5-10 yards we came across a pond. Which shouldn’t have been on that single 100 rod traverse. We were confused and a little worried that maybe we didn’t actually know where we were. We got back in the lake and navigated back to the portage from Ceph, then re-located the Jean Lake portage where it should have been and this was still the one with the pond. After a little head scratching we figured out that since our map had been made beavers had dammed up some creek and made a new pond over the portage. We paddled across the little pond where we found the trail again but that was covered with yet another marsh almost immediately. Scouting ahead the rest of the trail seemed clear. We hauled our stuff through the marsh and continued on what turned out to be a pretty exhausting portage anyway with a fairly steep section near Jean. So, hearing from others now how the portage doesn’t seem to exist or show up on maps anymore I wonder if the beavers prevailed and that the portage was just given up on after their efforts. I imagine this would not be an unknown or even uncommon thing with beavers doing what they do(?) but it was a surprise to us. I looked at the lake on Google Earth but it’s one of those images with poor resolution. The portage from Ceph is clearly evident and I think the entrance to the Jean lake portage. That’s about all I can tell. |
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DancesWithTrees |
Anyway, I know there is a portage into it from Ceph, and maybe even a creek path to get there from the west. I searched the site here for info on any fishing in there, and found very little beyond an 11 year old thread that didn't have much info. And another thread saying it had really clear water. Anyone been there that could speak about it? Fishing info is good, but also anything about the portage. Doesn't look like there are any campsites, but correct me if I'm wrong. and is the creek path viable to get to or from the lake? I feel like it's a book I started and never finished and want to get there at some point. Thanks in advance! |
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jdddl8 |
The lake is really clear - just like Jean. The portage is easy except finding it from Ceph. There is one really nice campsite on the west side albeit only one or two tent sites. I tried to get up the creek in the spring of 2013 and ran into numerous beaver dams in the first hundred yards. Gave up. I don't think you can ever navigate it. There are definitely smallies and supposedly lakers but I have never caught the latter. I really like the lake as it has great views. |
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mr.barley |
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snakecharmer |
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