I'm considering a second quick trip for just my wife and me. Our June-July outing was so windy and hot and dry, it felt like we deserved a do-over.

I'm hoping that there will be the usual drop in crowds by mid-September and that Clear Lake and the North Kawishiwi R won't be too busy. I know that this is an area accessible from multiple EPs, but the fall season MIGHT see kids back in school... ??

Any pointers regarding campsites or fishing success or unusual things to see in the area? I know that waiting until the last week of Sept may increase the odds of some nice leaf color, but a Grand Marais trip planned for early October might be the way we hit that...

We did a base camp there 2 years ago the week after Labor Day. Really easy paddle in and out and the portage to Clear was pretty easy. There was a group of 2 guys on the island site so we took the site on the far north east side of the lake. We really liked it. I believe the site just to the west of that was really nice too. I liked both of those sites better than the island. After the guys on the island site left I don’t remember seeing another canoe on the lake for 3 days. Could have been just that everyone was just passing through and our site was so far out of the way we didn’t see them. Either way for a lake so close to an entry point it felt pretty isolated.

One recommendation that some one gave to us if it is windy on your entry is to park at the start of a snowmobile trail and enter on south farm lake paddle around to Farm and then up Kawishiwi River. It’s a slight longer paddle but more protected than across Farm lake.

Fishing was fine I don’t remember anything spectacular caught a few walleye and pike. I think most of them were around the islands.

Took several day trips out along the River and really love the scenery in the area.

If you haven't seen it already? Check out this trip report from a few years ago.

For campsites, there was an unmarked site on Eskwagama Lake that was above average. Wouldn't think too many people are aware it's there and you'd have a lake to yourself in the middle of grand central station (also known as the Kawishiwi triangle).

Lots of rapids/pools to fish throughout the triangle.

Well, it's a go. So I'll entertain any further thoughts on the area.

Great trip report, TB. Are you saying that one might not need to take those first two portages, even with novice paddlers? And that the start of the 160r to Clear Lake is actually about here?

There was some minor rock dodging but, we were able to just paddle through those portages.

And, yes we did pull into, what I can only presume was an old landing. Your map is a little blurry but, I believe the spot you arrowed is the correct location. Once your there, just remember, the tell tale sign will be that the right portage trail will be a well worn wilderness highway.

Have a great trip!

Thanks. It's interesting to see the changes made to my McKenzie maps over the years for these 3 portages. Their 1992 map shows the longer portage beginning even farther south than I placed my arrow and is labeled at 144 rods. The 1996 map shows it starting out even farther north than is currently drawn and settles on 160r. The 2 short portages don't show up at all until the 2003 map. (On our earlier maps, our outfitter marked a 10r portage on the south shore of the river at the far eastern portion of the rapids area.) Your "unmarked site at 4-o'clock on Eskwagama" is indeed marked on the 1992 and 1996 versions, only to disappear on the 2003 map, and re-appear for 2011 and 2014...

Given the reported water levels this year, you'll have no problems paddling up the current instead of taking those 2 portages. Only in the highest water years have I had to portage, and then only the 2nd one. The below picture is looking east towards the area where the 2nd portage is in a normal water level year.
Also, I agree with your location for the portage to Clear.

JD

Okay, one month to go...

I'm thinking about my usual wet footing routine. Do you suppose that by mid-September, I'll need to re-think my usual summer socks-and-Keen-sandals footwear at landings? I'll have my mid-height hiking boots for in-camp use.

The last time that we were up and did some day tripping, it was late Sept/early Oct. I was glad to have brought along some rubber boots just for loading/unloading but they're not ones that are comfortable enough for longer portages...

For many of my May and Sept/Oct trips I have been able to just use wool socks. I do however bring along a pair of NRS neoprene wet socks just in case the daytime temps drop below 50ish. You know your tolerance level best.

Obviously, watch the forecast but, I think just wool socks will do the trick for ya.

I've stayed at the far northeast site and at the 2nd one to the east of the portage that heads northwest out of Clear Lake. I really liked the site that's second to the east of the the portage: spacious site with lots of good hanging trees for tarp or hammock, great fire area, nice tent pads and two really functional landing areas.

We caught walleye on the west end of the lake.

We did 4 nights on Clear Lake last month. We took the island site as it was the only one left on the lake. Really nice site but the landing can be a pain with really slippery rocks. My dad took a tumble getting out, be careful. We had a tough time fishing as leeches were out in Ely and didn't have much luck with crawlers. Caught one nice walleye trolling a Flicker Shad, that's it.

Very nice lake, and very good campsite. Just tough fishing ... not a lot you can do.