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Big Island Lake Wilderness (Read 7036 times)
Chris M.
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Big Island Lake Wilderness
Sep 30th, 2015 at 2:43pm
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Has anyone paddled this before?  I am looking for a good map and possibly a garmin GPS file I can use here.  I want to go in the next couple weekends.  Think it would be a great paddle.
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #1 - Sep 30th, 2015 at 2:49pm
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Chris,

Welcome aboard to QJ. I've never heard of this place. Where is it? We have folks all over the country here, so hopefully someone can chime in.

Cool
  
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Yellowbird
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #2 - Sep 30th, 2015 at 4:18pm
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It is in the Hiawatha National Forest (central UP of Michigan). I've done this once as a day trip.  All the lakes along the main NW to SE route can be paddled in one day.  No loops, just an in and out from the access. I entered from the west, though I think there is an access from the east side.  One large group was camped on the eastern most lake.  I remember that being the most "fishable" lake due to the perch population.  Some of the smaller lakes had appealing Quetico type campsites which were not overused.  Lots of maple & hardwood types so should be very colorful during October.  On Labor Day weekend, FH13 was closed at the US 2 junction.  So you may need to plan your access accordingly.
-YB
  
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solotripper
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #3 - Sep 30th, 2015 at 4:31pm
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I've never been but had a friend who said it was well worth the effort but said that if he did it again it would be in the fall, not the summer.

I have to think with the fall colors it would a spectacular trip this time of year.

This link has some good info and there is a map you can click on for a bigger view.

Take  special note of the camping/campfire rules. Wink

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Chris M.
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #4 - Oct 8th, 2015 at 5:26pm
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Thanks guys.
Yes its one of two larger wilderness areas in Michigans UP.  There is also sylvania wilderness which is larger. 
Thanks for the heads up I appreciate it. 
I am looking forward for 2 days in the woods again.
  
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Chris M.
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #5 - Oct 8th, 2015 at 5:28pm
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Do you know which lake the eastern most was that was fishable.  I am going to try to fish but it looks like there are some really tight regs on the fishing.
  
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Yellowbird
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #6 - Oct 9th, 2015 at 11:31am
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Byers Lake
  
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Srobocop
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Re: Big Island Lake Wilderness
Reply #7 - Mar 1st, 2016 at 10:28pm
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I live only an hour from there. Went 3 times last summer. Not a bad place to spend a weekend when you don't want to go far. Idk if i've ever caught Perch without live bait. Sounds interesting. I usually camp on Klondike Lake.
  
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