Length of Trip: Approximately 85 Kilometres (53 miles)
Time Required to Complete Trip: 3 to 4 days
Number of Portages: 2 to 5 depending on experience of paddlers,
and on route taken on Amisk Lake.
Arrangements for safe parking of vehicles can likely be made with the outfitter's camp at Maligne Lake. If transportation from Denare Beach to Maligne Lake can be arranged (Approximately 75 kilometres (47 miles) by Highways 167 and 106), vehicles can likely be left conveniently at the hotel at Denare Beach, which is the end point of this trip.
There is little exposure to wind and waves except for the crossing of the northern part of Amisk Lake. Much of this crossing is protected by islands. During windy weather, optional portage number 5 is recommended to avoid the open southern portion of the lake.
This trip can be recommended for canoeists of intermediate experience, or for novices with expert leadership.
Fishing for walleye and northern pike is good in all waters, and lake trout are found in Amisk Lake.
An abundance of good natural campsites occurs along the route.
Travel downstream on the Sturgeon-Weir River is preferable to upstream travel. However, this trip could be reversed for the velocity of the current in the Sturgeon-Weir River is not so great as to rule out upstream travel by paddle. A small outboard motor would permit upstream travel with complete ease.
Portage descriptions for this trip are given from both ends as an aid to possible upstream canoeists.
There is a cable strung across the river at the start of the rapids.
From the south end of Maligne Lake, this portage starts on the east, or left, shore at a sloping rock 45 metres (49 yards) above the start of the rapids.
For upstream travel, this portage starts immediately below the rapids on the right, or east, shore at a grassy opening in the vegetation.
Approximately seven kilometres downstream from Leaf Rapids, the canoeist arrives at Scoop Rapids. Care should be taken to remain on the left, or east, shore on approaching this small waterfall.
From the north, or upstream end, this portage starts at an opening on the left, or east, shore about 20 metres (22 yards) above the start of the rapids.
From the south, or downstream end, this portage starts on the east, or right, bank in a small cove immediately below the main rapid and after paddling up a stretch of fast water.
The fishing below Scoop Rapids is good. The name originated from the fact that there existed a hole below the rapids from which a fish could usually be scooped out by the hungry traveller.
Approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) below Scoop Rapids, the canoeist encounters Snake Rapids.
From the downstream end, this portage starts from an open grassy area on the west, or left, shore of a small cove about 300 metres (328 yards) below the base of the rapids (Grid location 588568 - Map 63-L/10. Approximately two kilometres (1 1/4 mile) below Snake Rapids, there are minor rapids which should present no problem to the alert canoeist.
About ten kilometres below these minor rapids, the canoeist encounters Spruce Rapids.
From the upstream end, this portage starts on the east, or left, side of the river in a cove formed by a rocky islet at the start of the rapids.
From the downstream end, this portage starts at a grassy break in the shoreline vegetation on the right, or east, bank of the river about 40 metres (44 yards) below the base of the rapids.
About one kilometre (6/10) mile below Spruce Rapids, the canoeist can see a small Indian cemetery located on a high sand bank on the left, or east, shore. This cemetery is within the Amisk Lake Indian Reserve. During periods of high winds, when the lake is rough, the use of optional portage number 5 may save several kilometres (miles) of hard or even dangerous travel over the exposed southern portion of Amisk Lake.
From the area near the mouth of the Sturgeon-Weir River, this portage starts in a small bay approximately two kilometres (1 1/4 mile) east of river mouth (Grid location 704473 - Map 63-L/9). From Muskeg Bay, this portage starts at the south end of the western extension of Muskeg Bay (Grid location 704479 - Map 63-L/9). The start of the portage is hard to find as it is in a soft, open muskeg shoreline. The trail does not show much until the trees are reached about 30 metres (33 yards) back of the shoreline.
The route taken crossing the northern part of Amisk Lake depends largely on prevailing weather conditions. From the islands west of Crater Island on into East Channel, a course well protected by islands is possible.
On a clear day, look for the smelter smoke-stack in Flin Flon, Manitoba. This is visible to the northeast once the canoeist has passed the headland east of the mouth of the Sturgeon-Weir River. NOTE: Denare Beach on the northeast shore of Amisk Lake (Grid location 880619 - Map 63-L/9) is the end point of this trip. It is possible to continue on to Cumberland House by canoe - see Canoe Trip Number 44 for details.
Denare Beach contains all the facilities one would expect in a small resort community. These include outfitter's camps, stores, radio and telephone communications. In addition, there is the Northern Gateway Museum where many fascinating historical relics of the old days of exploration and fur trading are housed.
There is a Saskatchewan Government campground at Denare Beach and Government offices in nearby Creighton, Saskatchewan.
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