Welcome to QJ, Nimiller!

It's been a few years now but my small group of three "bushwhacked" into Irvine from the east (strongly NOT advised!) and camped on or near Campsite 5Q (as designated via PaddlePlanner.com) in the north central region of the lake.  We did just fine there.  It was a "multi-tiered site" as I recall and had not been used in recent years, as evidenced by the head-high sapling growing out of the fire ring.  I know I saw a few other serviceable campsites on the lake but I was very happy with our location from a wind protection, canoe landing, swimming standpoint, etc.

Half the fun about Irvine Lake is just getting there.  There's some very pretty country en route or, at least it was before the fires hit (and you would do well to check with the park, Marten, or Harlan about the impact of recent fires in that specific area).  I'm thinking most folks fly in and out of Irvine these days, though the portages that Marten cleared out to get there via the Larus Creek side (to the west) have probably seen some use now.  They were practically virgin when we went through, his ribbons still present to show the way (for us, the way "out"; we were done with bushwhacking).

We experienced good walleye fishing on Irvine.  Also, there were a couple of monster pike that tore up my heavy line; it was like turning a freight train (ie. it didn't turn).  We also did some "sailing" with my wind-sail rig... admittedly a rather dumb item to haul into the interior of WCCP then back out again.  The wind never seemed to be blowing in the direction I was headed... but that is another story.

Oh, & in the watershed just east of Irvine we encountered the darkest-colored bull moose that I've ever seen.  He was a rather large fellow and not in the least intimidated by our presence.  We had to paddle right past him at a pinch point and he chose to hold his ground.  I'd say there was a 50/50 chance he had never seen a human being before.  He certainly never saw a pink sail before.

A portage option out of the north end of Irvine runs through a narrow chasm with steep walls, following a pretty stream.  When the sunlight streamed through there as we were exiting one morning, it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.  In my opinion, Irvine is a great destination lake.

I can't really speak to Haven Lake except through 2nd hand knowledge re: fishing & such so I'll let others talk about it. Again, fires & storms may have significantly altered conditions on Irvine so I defer my commentary to those who have been there in the past 5 years.

Good luck!

Jimbo   

Thanks Jimbo and Marten... I’ll do a trip report when I get back.  Don’t want time to fly but am really looking fwd. to this trip in September.  Guess I’ll have to make do with a BWCA trip (Granit River) later this month and a late August trip to the English River (Ignace Ontario).