Suggested canoe routes for the bwcaw and quetico

Listed below are a few of the many canoe trips in our immediate area.  The best trip for you and your party depends on your experience, amount of time you can spend on a trip and the type of trip you desire.  We'll discuss the details of the trip you choose and other trips when you arrive at Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters.

 

 

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Route #1      Tuscarora West Routes

 

Days Average - 4 to 7        Difficulty - Moderate

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #1 is a loop that will will start at our dock on Round Lake, portage to Missing Link Tuscarora, Owl, Crooked, Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brant, Edith, West Round and end at Round Lake.  Many folks prefer to avoid the long portage, so the lakes can be quiet.

 

Route #1A is a longer version of Route #1.  At Crooked Lake turn south to Tarry, Mora, Little Saganaga, Gabimichigami, Peter, French, Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brant, Edith, West Round and end at Round Lake.  Two large lakes and excellent fishing for Lake Trout and Northern Pike.  Many folks prefer to avoid the long portage, so the lakes can be quiet.

 

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Route #2      Cross Bay Lake - Poplar

 

Days Average - 4 to 7        Portages-21     Difficulty - Moderate

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #2 starts at the Cross Bay Lake landing just down our driveway. Travel south through Ham, Cross Bay, Rib, Lower George, Karl, Long Island, Muskeg, Kiskadina, Omega, Henson, Gaskin, Horseshoe, Caribou, Lizz and finish at Poplar Lake.

 

Time 4 days average. Walleyes, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Lake Trout. An easier route, with moderate portages.

 

Route #2A is a longer version of Route 2.  Starting at the Cross Bay Lake lfollow Route #2 to Long Island Lake Long then detour south to Gordon, Cherokee, Sitka, North Temperance, South Temperance, Brule. Travel north through Mulligan or Cones to Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe, Caribou, Lizz and finish at Poplar Lake.

 

Time: 7 days average. 21 portages, 4 large lakes, beautiful scenery, isolated area. Walleyes, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Lake Trout.

 

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Route #3      Seagull Lake - Saganaga Lake

 

Days Average - 4 to 5        Portages-9        Difficulty - Moderate

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #3 Starts at Seagull Lake, travel to Alpine, Jasper, Kingfisher, Ogishkemuncie, Eddy, South Arm of Knife, turn north to Hanson, Ester, Ottertrack and end at Saganaga.Ottertrack, and end on Saganaga.

 

Time: 4-5 days average. Great trip with excellent fishing for walleye, bass, northern pike and lake trout. Some larger lakes make it possible to see a lot of land without excessive portaging. Pretty much the same great trip as #3A but with the option of a lay-over day.

 

Route #3A Starts at Seagull Lake, travel to Alpine, Jasper, Kingfisher, Ogishkemuncie, Eddy, Knife, Ottertrack, and end on Saganaga.

 

Time: 5 days average. 9 Portages.  Same great fishing as #3 

 

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Route #4      Gunflint lake - saganaga & Seagull lakes

 

Days Average - 4        Difficulty -Easy

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #4 Start at Gunflint landing traveling north to Magnetic Lake. Travel north via an old Voyageur route down the Granite River which flows north through Clove, Gneiss, Devil’s Elbow and Maraboeuf.  End at Saganaga.

 

Route #4A  Follow Route #4 to Saganaga then extend your trip by going through Red Rock, Alpine, and end at Seagull Lake.

 

Fairly easy, scenic trip with some rapids. Fabulous fishing for smallmouth bass, walleyes and northern pike.

 

Time 4 days average.

 

 

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Route #5      Quetico Park, Kawnipi Loop

 

Days Average - 7        Difficulty - Challenging

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #5 Quetico Park, Canada. Start at Saganaga, go to Cache Bay on the Canadian side, then to Saganagons. Take the Kawnipi River to Kawnipi Lake and return by the same Falls Chain.

 

Excellent fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout and northern pike. More advanced trip. Visit many gorgeous waterfalls.

 

To save you up to six hours of paddling on either end of your trip, take a tow boat shuttle across Saganaga Lake to American Point.

 

Time: 7 days average.

 

 

 

 

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Route #6      Paddle Saganaga Lake Only

 

Days Average - 4        Difficulty - Easy

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #6 Kayak/ Saganaga Lake only trip: Kayak or canoe. Start at Tuscarora private dock at Saganaga, travel to American Point day one. Day two traveling to Red Rock Bay for second night camping. Travel east to James Bay and stay for your last night. Return to Saganaga dock.

 

No portaging necessary as you explore this large lake. Excellent fishing for walleye, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.

 

Time: 4 days average. 

 

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Route #7      round Lake - seagull lake

 

Days Average - 8 to 10        Difficulty - Challenging

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #7 starts at Round lake, travel to Missing Link, Tuscarora, Owl, Crooked, Mora, Little Saganaga, turn south to Elton, Bear, pan, through the Kawishiwi River to Alice, Insula, north to Thomas, Frazer, Kekekabic, then east to Ogishkemuncie, Jasper, Alpine, and end at Seagull.

 

This adventure takes you through the best canoe country in Minnesota and is very remote. Excellent fishing includes: walleye, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.

 

Time: 8-10 days average.

 

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Route #8      Frost River Loop

 

Days Average - 4        Difficulty - Challenging

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #8 Follow Cross Bay entry as noted in Route #2, at Gordon lake turn west into Frost lake. Take Frost River through Octopus Lake, Chase, Pencil, Afton, Fente, Whipped, Mora, Tarry, Crooked, Owl, Tuscarora, Missing Link, and return to Round.

 

 Early season high water trip. Excellent remote river adventure with some beaver damns. Good moose opportunities. Fishing for lake trout and northern pike.

 

Average time 4 days.

 

 

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Route #9      Quetico Park, Man Chain

 

Days Average - 7        Difficulty - Challenging

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #9  Start at Saganaga, go to Cache Bay on the Canadian side, then to Saganagons, then turn south into Slate, Fran, Bell, Other Man, This Man, That Man, Sheridan, Carp, Emerald, Plough, Ottertrack, and end at Saganaga.

 

Average time: 7 days. Massive water fall and excellent fishing for walleye, lake trout, small mouth bass, and northern pike. Or utilize the shuttle service to American Point.

 

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Route #10      Quetico Park, Boundary Point - Saganagons

 

Days Average - 4        Difficulty - Moderate Plus

 

Large & Print Maps

Route #10 Start at Saganaga, go to Cache Bay on the Canadian side, then to Saganagons, turn northeast and paddle down to east end of Saganagons Boundary Point and base camp. One portage. Impressive waterfall. Two large lakes.

 

Explore Saganagons many bays and fabulous fishing for walleye, lake trout, small mouth bass and northern pike.

 

Average time 4 days.