Marshall LakeMaking Connections
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Full image approximately 2 miles square |
Description
Marshall is a very small, relatively shallow lake on the South Brule River in the southeast corner of the BWCAW. Only ½ mile long, its 51 acres have a maximum depth of only 16'. From its south shore, Brule Mountain rises some 540' to its 2226' summit, one of the highest points in Minnesota and only 75' below the summit of the state's highest point on nearby Eagle Mountain. Well back from the northern shore, the land rises to the heights of the Misquah Hills.The South Brule River enters Marshall at its western end, a short distance downstream from Dugout Lake. Here, a 30 rod portage on the north bank of the river rises almost imperceptively to Dugout. Out of Marshall's east end, the river loses 18' of elevation as it winds the 1/3 mile through swampy ground to Bower Trout. A 92 rod, up-and-over portage along the north bank of the river climbs over 60' in the first 30 rods before dropping over 75' in a more gradual descent to the shore of Bower Trout. Both portage landings out of Marshall are rocky and solid, something which cannot be said of their other ends, at Bower Trout and Dugout.
Campsites
Marshall is a small lake, and supports but a single campsite, on the southwestern shore near the mouth of the South Brule.Planning Considerations
Marshall is a link on the South Brule route, the 8½ miles of river and small lakes up from the Bower Trout entry point to Brule Lake. It is largely a pass-through lake, though the single campsite is useful for the first night of a trip after a late arrival, or the final night prior to an early departure.Wildlife
Marshall supports populations of Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui), Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens).Notes and Comments
The South Brule River route up from Bower Trout traverses an underappreciated corner of the BWCA and is probably the premier approach to big Brule Lake. Take care heading upriver from Marshall, however. The first bends of the river (er, Dugout Lake) above the portage are rocky and can be quite shallow. Be prepared to step out and walk your canoe through them.
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