KARL LAKE CAMPSITES:
Campsite 1
:
(#572) – Campsite on north end of lake by Long Island Lake portage
Campsite 2: (#2328) – On east end of the lake
Karl Lake is essentially a large northern bay of
Long Island Lake
rather than a fully separate lake. You can paddle directly between the
south end of Karl Lake and Long Island Lake if you want to avoid
portaging, which places you farther east on Long Island Lake.
The lake supports two campsites. The campsite near the 35‑rod portage
in the north end of the lake does not have the portage running directly
through it, despite what some maps of the area seem to indicate.
Karl Lake provides access to two small lakes from its north end:
Doe Lake
and
Fawn Lake.
The channel to Doe Lake lies just west of the portage to Lower George Lake.
It is usually possible to paddle into Doe Lake, though you may need to
lift over a beaver dam. A small creek flows from Fawn Lake into Doe Lake,
but it cannot be paddled — you will need to bushwhack if you want to reach
Fawn Lake.
Water enters Karl Lake from the south via Long Island Lake. A smaller
amount of flow also comes in from Doe Lake. All of this water funnels
northward into Lower George Lake.
This area once supported a strong moose population (Beymer, 2006).
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PADDLING FROM LOWER GEORGE LAKE PORTAGE TO DOE LAKE CHANNEL
Karl Lake as seen from the Lower George Lake portage landing.
Looking south out of the bay from near the Lower George Lake portage.
The campsite on the north end of Karl Lake is just to the left, out of sight
around the point — a short paddle directly across the lake.
Paddle out of the small bay on Karl Lake where the Lower George Lake portage is located.
After exiting the bay, head to the right (west) and you will quickly reach the mouth
of the channel leading into Doe Lake. Doe Lake receives few visitors — it is a small,
quiet lake.
PADDLING FROM CAMPSITE NEAR LONG ISLAND LAKE PORTAGE TO THE LONG ISLAND LAKE PORTAGE
The campsite on the north end of Karl Lake faces the small bay where the
Lower George Lake portage is located (on the left side of your view).
As you can see, the 35‑rod portage between Karl Lake and Long Island Lake
is not actually very close to the campsite on the north end of the lake.
Many maps make it appear as though the portage runs directly through the
campsite, but that is not the case.
Karl Lake as seen from the 35‑rod portage between Long Island Lake and Karl Lake.
From Karl Lake, you can portage to
Lower George Lake
or
Long Island Lake
.
You can also paddle into Long Island Lake from the south end of Karl Lake,
or paddle/bushwhack into
Doe Lake
depending on beaver activity.
