It’s no secret that Minnesota has a lot of lakes. The Department of Natural Resources has listed 11,842 of them. Some of them are very deep. Although Lake Superior is the deepest overall, Saganaga Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness ranks as the deepest natural inland lake in the state. Its easy access draws all kinds of adventure-seekers to its cool, clean waters each summer.
One of Minnesota’s most popular slogans is “The Land of 10,000 Lakes”. It’s such a deep part of the state’s identity that the state placed it on license plates in 1950. Plus, in a place where lakes shimmer in every shade of blue, it also carries the nickname “The Land of Sky-Tinted Waters.” The nickname comes from the Dakota word Mni Sóta Makoce, which means “the land where the water reflects the clouds in the sky.”
Summertime draws people to the water, and many travelers head north to camp and take a dip in the pristine lakes near the border. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) holds the deepest of these natural lakes. Saganaga Lake, or ‘Sag,’ as it’s more locally referred to, reaches a depth of 280 feet. In an article, MSN stated that Discover the Cities named it the “second-clearest lake in the state, with a visible depth of 11 feet”.
This massive 13,832-acre lake sits at the end of the Gunflint Trail, 55 miles northwest of Grand Marais. In Ojibwe, people call it the ‘Lake of Many Islands,’ and inexperienced paddlers can easily get lost in the large expanse without solid navigational skills. Just to the north is Quetico Provincial Park, which means half of the lake is in Minnesota and the other half in Canada.
Notably, it is also one of the wilderness lakes with the highest concentration of campsites. Over 50 primitive campsites dot the lake, its bays, and islands. While the lake can get busy in the summer, you can find quiet pockets if you paddle farther from the entry point and motorized zone.
Visiting Sag
Visitors can enjoy numerous recreational opportunities on Sag, including camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and sightseeing. Anglers are especially drawn to it for its healthy population of walleye, northern pike, lake trout, and smallmouth bass.
Because most of the area is protected wilderness and much of it remains remote, visitors must plan and prepare carefully. Thick woods flank the shorelines. To preserve the wilderness character, there are no marked portage trails or campsites with signs. Visitors should rely on a topographic map and a compass to navigate, using GPS as a backup.
Be aware of seasonal weather changes. Expect springtime rain and cooler temperatures, though the weather can vary from year to year. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, and winds can rise quickly. In the fall, bugs decrease, but temperatures can swing from unseasonably warm to cool with snow showers. Always bring a reliable life jacket and wear it, because a dunk can feel cool any time of the season.
Although wildlife is generally wary, you may have the good fortune to spot a black bear or moose, or hear timber wolves howl. Waterfowl fill the lakes in the summer, and many visitors look forward to seeing and hearing the wails of the common loon.
The USFS – Superior National Forest has created a handy guide that includes regulations and rules on camping, fishing, and ways to minimize your impact. Once there, paddlers will find a landscape filled with pine and birch and hear loons calling across the water.
Good to know before you go
From Grand Marais, head northwest on the Gunflint Trail (Cook Co Rd 12) to visit Saganaga Lake. Plan for about 1 hour and 20 minutes of driving to reach entry point #55. The Gunflint Trail provides a few amenities, and cell coverage remains spotty. Stock up on groceries and gas before heading north. There are a few outfitters at the end of the trail that offer lodging, route recommendations, and gear rental.
You must obtain a permit to enter Saganaga Lake year-round. Between May 1 and September 30, you can get a permit online with a reservation and a fee. During the rest of the year, pick up a permit at a ranger station, outfitter, or trailhead kiosk without a reservation or fee.
More info:
- USFS Planning a Boundary Waters Area Wilderness Trip Planning Guide
- Minnesota’s second-deepest natural lake is a crystal-clear Midwest gem for swimming and paddling – MSN