July 2013 - 2 Week Canoe Trip Around North Basin of Gods Lake

After school concluded on June 27, I loaded the canoe for a 2 week canoe trip exploring the northern basin of Gods Lake, as well as some back country lakes.  The kids at school know about my canoe trips, and several of them volunteered to help me carry my gear from the teacherage to the canoe.

This was a challenging trip, as the north basin can get quite rough, and there are large expanses of open water, where islands offer no protection to the 16' canoe.

                                          Route of canoe trip

On the first night, I camped on an island near "the secret spot".  It is a local hot spot for adolescent lake trout.  The lake trout stack up on the edge of a drop off in front of a bay.  Here, I met one of the owners of Healey's Lodge.  He showed me how to fish the secret spot and offered some advice as to where to go on my canoe trip.  He told me that I should go to Gods River on the North end of the lake.  So, after a supper of fresh lake trout, walleye, and beans, I looked at the map and plotted my course.

                                          Calm evening at camp

The lake was like glass the next day.  Here was my chance to cross the lake.  I followed a string of islands north east and camped on an island when the wind began to increase.  The next day, I made it to Gods River.  It is a small community located on the shore at the mouth of the river.  The houses are lined up along the shore of the lake - what a view!  The river itself is crystal clear.  There is a lodge located at the first set of rapids upriver.  Gods River is famous for its large brook trout.  Hopefully, next year I will canoe down Gods River to Hudson Bay.

I then paddled south to Elk Island.  Elk Island is a large island, and home to Elk Island lodge and a defunct gold mine.  Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to visit either this trip, as the wind was against me both times I visited the island.
 

                                          East end of Elk Island

I ventured to the east end of the lake and to east end lodge.  There used to be a Hudson Bay trading post here, and the old log cabins are presently used as accommodations for guests.  Here, I met the owner and staff and was treated to a cold Pepsi and tasty snack.  The lodge is located above a sandy beach overlooking the lake.

                                          Old Hudson Bay post cabins at east end lodge


Then, I ventured west and down into Knife River Bay, and up the Knife River.  The Knife River is a shallow river.  Although there is a portage along the river, I was able to walk up the river tied to my canoe most of the river until a steep set of rapids.  Here, I cooked up a great shore lunch!

                                          Shore lunch on Knife River

 After moving upstream the Knife River, I crossed Knife Lake and bushwacked a portage into Chateway Lake.  The school operates a cabin here for the outdoor education program.  Chateway Lake is a nice lake.  It is full of islands, the water has a nice blue colour, and is full of lake trout.  During my stay here, I built a table and bench, finished cutting out the windows, brushed around the cabin with the machete, and explored the lake.

                                        Chateway Lake cabin

                                          Inside the cabin
 

On my final push home, I crossed Chateway Lake to the portage.  I could not rope down this creek, as it was too shallow, shallow, and rocky.  I made my way back along the shore back home.  What a fantastic trip!!  Gods Lake is aptly named, as it is very beautiful here!!