Contents: Intro, Knife Lake and Man Chain Falls Chain Boundary Point Mack Lake Also see: Cache Bay Practicalities Boundary Waters Canoe Area Canada Resources Minnesota resources

Falls Chain
entry permit #73

This series of small interconnected lakes and waterfalls runs from Saganagons to Kawnipi. Because of its beauty, and the fact that it leads directly to the Quetico's interior, it is the busiest entry point out of Cache Bay.

Short Trip: Lots of paddlers go no further than the Falls Chain itself as many beautiful campsites are located on or near the waterfalls in this region. In the spring the moving water makes this a fantastic place to fish. However, extra care should be taken during this time to avoid an accident in the fast waters. Plan on five to seven days for this trip.

*Author's note: Some of this region was burned in the August '95 forest fire. While signs of the fire are common, and some favored campsites destroyed, the beauty of the falls more than compensates for those fortunate enough to get a highly coveted Falls Chain permit.

Medium Trip: After paddling halfway through Kawnipi head east towards Kawa Bay. Follow the Waiwag (locally pronounced Wow-ee-ag) River up to Mack Creek and into Mack Lake itself. After enjoying Mack's great fishing head south through Munro, Cullen, Ross, and Bitchu Lakes on your way back to Saganagons. You'll want a full week or more to enjoy this trip.

Long Trip: Folks with the time, and inclination, may come back through Agnes Lake and Prairie Portage. You can make your way back up the Man Chain or along the border on the Knife Chain. Some folks even get a BWCA permit and end their trip on the American side. Plan on eight to ten days for this longer loop.

Boundary Point
entry permit #74

Saganagons (Sag-ah-nah-gonz) Lake is a wonderful place if a base camp fishing trip is what you have in mind. It is bisected by the long peninsula known as Boundary Point. If you avoid the main travel route, which runs from Silver Falls to the Falls Chain, you'll find it remarkably quiet. If you head east, down the lake, you'll find beautiful campsites, incredible fishing, and plenty of solitude.

*Author's note: It is my understanding that this area got its name from the fact that the boundary of the park used to extend only as far as the eastern tip of the peninsula. Fortunately this boundary was later extended to include all of Saganagons Lake.

Short trip: After crossing the Silver Falls portage make your way to one of the many island campsites near Boundary Point. Spend your time exploring the islands and the beautiful bays of Saganagon's south shore. Since it takes a day to get in, and a day to get out, you should plan on five days for this trip.

Medium trip: Spend a night or two on the south shore of the lake and then break camp and move to the north side of Boundary Point. The many narrows on this side make for some fabulous fishing as the water from Silver Falls slowly makes its way around Boundary Point and to the Falls Chain. Return via the 75 rod Dead Man's Portage across Boundary Point. Plan on five to seven days to fully explore this area.

* Author's note: Even though I've picked the brains of everyone I could think of, I've yet to find the story behind the Dead Man's Portage. As ominous as it sounds it's really a pretty good portage other than one slippery rock slope about halfway through.

Long trip: Head north from Saganagons into Bitchu, Ross, Cullen, Munro, and Mack Lakes before heading down the Waiwag River to return through Kawnipi and the Falls Chain. Since you'll want to spend a few days fishing on Mack, plan seven to ten days to enjoy this trip.

*Author's note: The region between Mack and Saganagons was heavily burned in the 1995 forest fire. While this has certainly detracted from the normal beauty of this region, this loop is still a great way to see some of Quetico's finest country. Be forewarned that there are some very long portages between Ross and Mack lakes.

Mack Lake
entry permit #23

These permits are available only for fly-in canoe trips. Since float planes are not allowed to land in the park itself, you will be dropped off in Clay Lake near the eastern border. Most folks opt to paddle out but you may choose to be picked up again in Clay Lake. From Clay you'll paddle down the narrow, winding Greenwood Creek into the Waiwag River.

Short trip: After spending a couple of days in Mack Lake you'll head for Saganagons via Munro, Cullen, Ross, and Bitchu Lakes. Plan on at least five days for this loop.

Medium trip: Spend a night or two on Mack Lake before heading back to the Waiwag and on to Kawa Bay (of Kawnipi). Take the rest of your week to make your way back via the Falls Chain.

Long trip: From Kawnipi head halfway down the Falls Chain and into McEwen Lake. Make your way through the small ponds to Louisa Lake on your way to Prairie Portage. Return up the border, on the Knife Chain, or up the Man Chain to Silver Falls. It's best to have eight to ten days for this loop.

And last, but certainly not least, if you haven't seen them before, take a little extra time to visit the set of pictographs (small Native American drawings on rock faces) in the western part of Cache Bay itself. I'm told that these drawings, still clear enough to photograph, could be close to two hundred years old. No doubt the natives drew these images to tell of the bounty they experienced in and around Cache Bay. Hopefully, by the end of your first trip, you will have discovered this bounty for yourself. And have your own cache of memories of this special place.

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