South Temperance Lake

Making Connections

Portage Northeast, 55 rods, to North Temperance
Portage South, 240 rods, to the Temperance River

Maps

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

Description

South Temperance is a moderate size, island studded lake near the headwaters of the Temperance River. Its central bay is barely ¾ mile across with a narrow, ½ mile long arm reaching east towards Brule. The lake covers some 200 acres, with a maximum depth of 24' though ¾ of its waters are less than 15' deep. Upriver to the north, an 55 rod portage connects with North Temperance while a 240 rod portage to the south opens onto an open, S curve on the Temperance River, followed by an 80 rod carry into Weird. The long, eastern arm of the lake leads to a small stream and a quick, 10 rod portage into the west end of Brule.

Campsites

South Temperance supports four established campsites, well separated. One is situated along the northern shore, one in the northwestern corner, one in the southeast, and a fourth well back into the long eastern arm.

Planning Considerations

South 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

South Temperance supports populations of Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui), Tullibee (Cisco) (Coregonus artedi), Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens).

Notes and Comments