Good Morning!

I was thinking about a trip this year to a lake I have never seen. The last time I tried to go to Ramshead was 20-25 years ago.

I say tried, because I was unable to find the portage from Lamb. There was wild rice growing so far out from shore I couldn't find the portage. And an attempt to paddle through the rice to get closer to shore, was also unsuccessful as the rice was to thick.

So my questions. Can you get to Ramshead via Lamb, or is it better to circle around and go through the portage on the north side from Nina Moose?

Also, I have heard that the water condition on Ramshead is very poor, with lots of algae blooms and whatnot.

Any idea what condition the water is in?

There definitely a portage from Lamb into Ramshead. On some maps the portage appears to be farther in the bay, but it is not. There is some tall grass than can obscure the portage, but it is there. I don't thinks it's any faster going around to the north, but I've never been a fan of the 220 rods from Nina Moose to Lamb. I don't think the lake has suffered any algae blooms, but does it seem to get full of pollen. I don't think that affects the water quality.

I haven't been there for awhile, but I would be very surprised if it had water quality issues other than it's stained pretty dark. It is also a shallow, fertile lake (thus the good pike fishing) so that might affect water clarity too. If you're looking for a deep, crystal clear lake, don't go to Ramshead, but it's not like it's getting agricultural runoff or anything.

some maps only show the yellow as the portage but you can see on the map where the actual portage is.

I haven't been to Ramshead for many years but when I did the portage was hard to get to due to a floating bog at that end of Lamb lake. We found a bit of a beaver passage that we paddled, poled, and swore at until we got to the portage. It was narrower than the canoe and had a log crossways under the water that was difficult to push the canoe over.

We are heading to Oyster this year at the end of May and thought about a day trip down to Ramshead. If we make it there I can update water quality then, but will follow this thread to get any other input prior to going!

We went in and out via Lamb a few years ago. The portage from Nina Moose to Lamb was the most difficult and muddy. Ramshead was fun for catching a lot of pike, but we caught nothing big. Even caught a couple of unexpected, bonus smallies. It is a nice, quiet area. Black Mepps #5 bucktail was the lure of choice that trip.

I agree, the portage from Nina Moose to Lamb is a bear, but it's a good deterrent.
I wonder how smallies got in the lake. I've never caught one in that lake.

Before you go in or out of Ramshead, check the shoreline & portage trail.

I have been told by several customers & checked with the Ely Forest Service; the trail has been known to have poison ivy growing nearby.

You can go through, just be careful!

VoyageurNorth: "Before you go in or out of Ramshead, check the shoreline & portage trail.


I have been told by several customers & checked with the Ely Forest Service; the trail has been known to have poison ivy growing nearby.


You can go through, just be careful!"

Yes! Lots of poison ivy at the beginning of the portage.

VoyageurNorth: "Before you go in or out of Ramshead, check the shoreline & portage trail.


I have been told by several customers & checked with the Ely Forest Service; the trail has been known to have poison ivy growing nearby.


You can go through, just be careful!"

Good to know, thank you for the heads up!