North Temperance Lake

Making Connections

Portage South, 55 rods, to South Temperance
Portage West, 105 rods, to Sitka

Maps

Fisher F-6, Brule and Pike Lakes; F-12, Little Sag, Tuscarora, Temperance Lakes
McKenzie 21, Sawbill Lake

Description

North Temperance is a moderate size, crudely X shaped lake at the headwaters of the Temperance River, surrounded to the west, north, and east by high hills. Just over a mile from corner to corner, the lake covers less than 200 acres, with a maximum depth of 50'. Its northwestern arm holds the mouth of Tiny Creek, draining aptly named Tiny Lake. The northeastern bay reaches up to a narrow valley running on up to Cam and separating two of the high hills which rise some 250' above the lake. In the southeastern arm, a 55 rod portage connects with South Temperance just downriver while out of the elongated southwest arm a 105 rod portage runs west to Sitka.

Campsites

North Temperance supports three established campsites, two along the northern shore of the southeastern arm, and one on an island in the north end. Because the through traffic passes along the southern shore from portage to portage, the northern, island site is most appealing.

Planning Considerations

North Temperance is one of the primary destinations on the Temperance River route, running up from the Baker Lake entry through Peterson, Kelly, Jack, and Weird into South and North Temperance. This is a chain of smaller lakes and some more rugged portages, providing the most direct route into the Temperance Lakes and Cherokee. South Temperance also provides ready access to the west end of giant Brule.

Wildlife

North Temperance supports populations of Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens).

Notes and Comments