Length of Trip: 105 - 110 kilometres (65 - 68 miles)
Time Required to Complete Trip: 5 to 6 days
Number of Portages: 18 or 19
Arrangements could most likely be made with the fishing camp operator for the safe parking of vehicles for the duration of the trip.
As with most wilderness canoe trips, fishing for northern pike is excellent throughout the trip. Lake trout can also be found in some of the lakes. As well, walleye are found in the Churchill River system.
From McLennan Lake, this portage starts at a conspicuous clearing in a small bay east of the central narrows on the southeast shore (Grid location 400923 - Map 73-P/16).
From McLennan Lake, this portage starts at a conspicuous clearing along the southeast shore (Grid location 395917 - Map 73-P/16).
After completing either of these portages to Davis Lake, canoeists should travel 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 kilometres (3 1/2 to 4 miles) down the southwest shore of the lake to the portage to Minuhik Lake.
From the southern end of Davis Lake, this portage starts 140 metres (153 yards) west of the outlet stream (Grid location 367869 - Map 73-P/16) and ends in the northernmost arm of Minuhik Lake 70 metres (77 yards) west of the base of shallow rapids. There is good fishing below these lovely but impassable rapids.
After completing this portage, travel south and east on Minuhik Lake. Two routes lead through Minuhik Lake to Versailles Lake. The longer route involves one portage - number 3. The shorter route involves two portages - numbers 3A and 3B.
From a small bay along the east-central shore of Minuhik Lake, this portage starts on the south side of the small inflowing stream (Grid location 385845 - Map 73-P/16).
After completing either of these alternate routes, paddle in a generally easterly direction for 3 to 5 kilometres (1 3/4 to 3 miles) across Versailles Lake to the first of the two portages to Colin Lake (Grid location 416841 - Map 73-P/16).
From the largist bay midway along the southeast shore of Versailles Lake, this portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation (Grid location 416841 - Map 73-P/16).
This portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation on the south shore of the small nameless lake (Grid location 422835 - Map 73-P/16). From the southwest end of Colin Lake, canoeists may travel either north or south of Sandomirsky Island enroute to the northeastern part of the lake.
From the east end of the bay northeast of Sandomirsky Island, this portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation 10 metres (11 yards) north of the small inflowing stream (Grid location 506859 - Map 73-P/16).
From the eastern shore of the first nameless lake, this portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation (Grid location 512858 - Map 73-P/16).
From the southeast shore of the second nameless lake, this portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation (Grid location 524858 - Map 73-P/16).
There are two separate portages connecting Settee Lake with Solymos Lake.
From the southwest end of Settee Lake, this portage starts at a break in the shoreline vegetation (Grid location 528848 - Map 73-P/16).
From the extreme south end of Settee Lake, this portage starts on the north bank of a small inflowing stream (Grid location 542838 - Map 73-P/16).
Solymos Lake is split into three main sections. The canoe route leads, between high rocky banks, to the extreme south end of the most westerly bay to the start of the portage to Stempel Lake.
From the extreme south end of Solymos Lake, this portage starts at an obvious break in the shoreline vegetation (Grid location 522815 - Map 73-P/16).
From the south end of Stempel Lake, the start of this portage is obvious on the right, or west, side of the shallow outflowing stream (Grid location 518787 - Map 73-P/16).
From the south end of Luther Lake, the start of this portage is obvious on the right, or west, side of the shallow outflowing stream (Grid location 511769 - Map 73-P/9).
The start of the portage is in a small cove on the west shore of the small nameless lake about 100 metres (109 yards) north of the outflowing stream (Grid location 498751 - Map 73-P/9). A campsite is located at the Buchner Lake end of the portage.
About 800 metres (875 yards) before the portage out of Buchner Lake (Grid location 483726 - Map 73-P/9), two picturesque waterfalls cascade down the high southeast shore of the lake.
The canoe route follows the outlet stream from Buchner Lake to a beaver dam over which the canoes can be pulled. A short distance below this, the portage can be seen on the right, or west, bank just above a shallow rocky rapid.
From this portage, the canoe route follows down Kemp Lake to the outlet stream (Grid location 434667 - Map 73-P/9).
The small river connecting Kemp Lake to the northeast corner of Hood Lake is fast-flowing and shallow.
Upon leaving Kemp Lake there are three small rapids very close together. Water conditions will determine whether or not the canoeists line down the first two. The third, which has a number of sharp ledges has a well-used portage on the north, or right, shore to a pool below.
From the foot of this portage, a channel has been cleared in the river enabling canoes to be paddled and lined approximately 550 metres (601 yards) down to quiet waters below. The river channel opens into a small bay on the northeast end of Hood Lake.
Following the river channel avoids a very difficult and poor 595 metre (650 yard) portage over ridges and through muskeg. This long portage is neither described here, nor recommended.
Canoeists should paddle to the outlet of Hood Lake at its extreme south end (Grid location 391623 - Map 73-P/9).
The narrow stream channel connecting the south end of Hood Lake to the north end of Satkowy Lake is navigable. The canoe route leaves Satkowy Lake over a winter road portage to the north end of Guncoat Bay of Mountain Lake.
This portage starts at a clearly discernable clearing in a bay on the east shore of Satkowy Lake (Grid location 385610 - Map 73-P/9) and ends at an open meadow on Guncoat Bay just south of a high rock outcropping.
The canoe route now heads southwest down the long north bay of Mountain Lake on the Churchill River, then turns (Grid location 316516 - junction of Maps 73-P/9 and 73-P/10) and heads through the northwest portion of the lake towards Otter Lake.
As the paddler approaches Mountain Portage, Twin Falls can be seen entering the lake to the right, or north, side of the portage. These are spectacular falls, the river flowing with great force through two narrow openings in the rock. A photo and fishing stop at this point is well worth the time spent.
The start of this portage shows as a break in the shoreline vegetation about 400 metres (437 yards) southwest of the falls. An outfitter's dock is located about midway between the falls and the portage.
The start of this portage is at an obvious landing about 10 metres (11 yards) to the east of the most easterly part of Robertson Falls.
Missinipe Townsite, the end point of this trip is located on the northwest shore of Walker Bay at the extreme west end of Otter Lake. At this point there is a Saskatchewan Government campground. There are also several fishing camps, an air charter service and a small general store. Radio, airplane, telephone and highway communications are possible with La Ronge which is situated 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the south via Highway 102.
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