I paddled some of Namakan in a kayak back in 2000. Ash River to Namakan Island area, a nice and easy 5-day fishing trip. Boat traffic was minimal once we left the landing area, as chandasue said. Definitely an A+ paddle trip, I have plans to return one of these days. Lots of smallmouths, a few walleyes, and one 6-7 lb. northern that took me for quite a ride. I don't recall there being a metal bear box at our camp, but that could just be my memory failing me.

Kabetogama would be okay on a nice day, if you avoid the big water. I didn't paddle it, but some friends and I rented a Lund and island-camped back in 2002. I'd have to look up exactly where we were on the lake, but it would have been a fine place for a kayak or a canoe.