Gift Lake
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Gift Lake used to be called Charity Lake. There is still a Charity Lake in Minnesota near the village of Isabella just outside the BWCA.
The Cavity Lake Fire spared about half of Gift Lake's shoreline. A large island, on the west end of Gift Lake, is still forested and worthy of a visit.
Gift Lake drains the waters of Trust Lake, Nawakwa Lake, Faith Lake and Fish Lake out a small creek to the west which flows into Link Lake.
The forest around this lake was impacted by the July, 2006 Cavity Lake Fire. This fire burned over 30,000 acres. Fire began on July 13.
A huge fire in 1863 or 1864 known as the Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake complex burned the forests in this area.
Just after the turn of the 19th century, in 1801, another fire burned the area stretching from Gabimichigami Lake up through the Saganaga Lake area.
In 1727, area was burned by a fire that covered the region from Amoeber Lake to Sea Gull Lake.
1692 saw another large fire affect this area in what is now the BWCA.
Approach to Gift Lake
From Link Lake, proceed to the eastern shoreline. A small point and a tiny creek are near where the old 28 rod portage used to exist between these two lakes. Since the west end of Gift Lake was unaffected by the 2006 Cavity Lake Fire, the old portage trail may still be traceable.
Bushwhack to Gift Lake
Hopefully remains of the old 28 rod portage still exist between these two lakes. The lakes are connected by a small creek, so failing to find the old portage, the backup plan could be to just follow the little creek. Upon reaching the Gift Lake side of the bushwhack, the first glimpse of the lake will be dominated by the lakes large island. Beyond the island in the distance, the burned and scarred terrain left behind by the Cavity Lake Fire will be visible for the first time since entering the Pitfall Lake PMA.
Exploring Gift Lake
Camping is probably restricted to the western end of Gift Lake as the rest of the shoreline has been burned. Gift Lake is quite deep and it would be surprising if there were no fish to be caught in its waters.
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