I'll write up a trip report soon, but wanted to post this ASAP for those planning for an imminent trip.

We entered EP 37 on 7/3 and came out EP 37 on 7/10. We spent a few nights on Polly and four nights on Malberg. We made a long day trip down the Kawishiwi River to Fishdance to see the petroglyphs.

Water levels on Kawishiwi and Square were normal. On the way in, everything north of that (Kawasachong, Polly, Koma, Malberg, and the river) were down about a foot from a recent "normal" waterline and down about three feet from a high waterline. On the way out, levels had dropped 4-6"; we had to go around logs we had floated over on the way in.

At the south end of the Townline/Polly portage, we were able to float our canoes all the way up to the portage on the way in. On the way out, we couldn't put them in the water until about 30 yards out (almost to the end of the little chute for those familiar with the portage).

We talked to someone who took the Phoebe River from Sawbill to Polly. They had to saw through a fallen pine tree across the river that would normally have been submerged enough to float over.

Plan accordingly and exercise patience with the conditions.

Thank you for sharing this information! We are currently planning on going in there this Saturday. Looking forward to your trip report.

A lot of the portages along the Phoebe River required using a low water landing which increased their length. I also had to walk my canoe through some areas that look like they would normally be an easy paddle.

And next we are heading to the Horse River. That should be interesting. Please let it rain so I can try my new rain gear and the rivers can rise!

That’s a pretty significant change over just a week. Good info.

Horse River is very low. The last portage heading into LBF has some major rocks about 100 yds from the portage, fyi.

Sorry for the delay on the trip report. Here it is.

We noticed there was a significant difference on the Hatchet river from 7/1 on the way in to 7/4 on the way out. It's amazing how fast it can drop.