MACK

via Ross, Wawiag, Kawnipi, Saganagons
Minimum 5 days
Maps Needed:

This is an advanced loop that brings you into one of Quetico’s most fruitful fishing lakes, Mack Lake! You’ll start by heading through Cache Bay into Saganagons and heading up to the Northeast Arm of Saganagons towards Smally and Bitchu lakes. From there you will continue north through Ross Lake and begin your trek through some challenging portages up to Mack. The portages through Cullen and Munro involve lots of elevation gain and lots of muddy terrain, so be prepared to take extra time on these. The reward of Mack Lake awaits! Set up camp and head out to start catching fish. Mack is full of Walleye, Bass, and beautiful campsites. After a few nights and fish for lunch, dinner, and maybe even breakfast, continue the loop up the Mack Creek to the Wawiag River. You may find a few beaver dams on your way up to the Wawiag. Continue down the Wawiag for about 8 miles until you reach Kawa Bay, the Northeast arm of Kawnipi. The campsites in this area are currently closed to allow natural habitat restoration, so you will need to continue down the arm into the main part of Kawnipi to make camp. 

Kawnipi is known for its remoteness and amazing fishing. Make sure to plan some time to explore this lake! From Kawnipi you will head towards the first falls of the trip (Kennebis Falls). There is a short portage here to get around the waterfall. From here you will head to Kenny Lake and onto Canyon and Koko Falls. Take your time coming down the falls chain if you can, it is a great area to fulfill your need for scenery and do some swimming (depending on the time of the year). There are three unnamed falls that you will come up on (we call them Awesome, Blossom and Possum). One of these falls has a wonderful Bald Rock to take a break on and eat some lunch or relax in the sun. 

Through all of these falls you will be heading to Saganagons where we also suggest spending some time. There is great fishing on Saganagons and it is a great lake to have a layover day. Towards the end of your trip you will be headed out through Silver Falls and into Cache Bay. Silver Falls is an amazing 30ft waterfall that is great to take some breaks on and enjoy the scenery. After you paddle into Cache Bay make sure you stop and see the ranger at the ranger station. Then it is off to Hook Island where your tow boat will be waiting for you after an amazing trip in the Quetico Provincial Park!