Good day all, I'm headed from South Fowl to John Lake via Royal Lake and Royal River. Has anyone been through this area in the last couple of weeks? I'm interested in the water levels and how overgrown Royal Lake is.
Thanks in advance.

Just came out of that area last Sunday. The royal river is in good shape and easy to paddle but royal lake is completely overgrown. There is somewhat of a path through the lake but you may need to push or pole through parts of it as you won’t be able to paddle. Water is low so you’ll need to take the portages. The photo is from the center of Royal Lake.

Thanks for the information and update. That picture from the center of the "lake" is wild!
Much appreciated.

The Cook County, Minnesota Mountains looks really nice in the fall when the leaves turn.
You should be able to get Ryden's Border Store to drop you off at the put in South Fowl Lake Control Dam and get them to pick you up downstream at either Partridge Falls (Fort Charlotte) or down stream at Outlaw Bridge the site of the Old Hwy#61 Ryden's Border Store (1947).
Check with Lori (Sam) Boomer at the new Ryden's Border Store (1963) on Hwy#61 you can probably get them to drop you off park your vehicle at the store and pick you up when you call or text.

That picture reminds me of being out there in 2024. We had someone stand up in the canoe to try and see which way to go.

It was a fun change of pace navigating compared to other bodies of water!

bnics: "That picture reminds me of being out there in 2024. We had someone stand up in the canoe to try and see which way to go.


It was a fun change of pace navigating compared to other bodies of water!"

Agreed, it was a fun change of pace and is a small lake, so it doesn't slow you down too much. It's the most comfortable I've been standing in a canoe including taking pictures.