Vernon LakeMaking Connections
MapsLinks |
Full image approximately 2 miles square |
Description
Vernon is a moderate sized, relatively deep lake on the South Brule River just below Brule Lake. In form, it is an ovoid central bay with a large island and a long arm extending ¾ mile to the northeast. Some 2/3 of its 233 acres are more than 15' deep, with a maximum depth of 83'. On the south shore opposite the island is the mouth of Vernon Creek, which drains an area of bog and several small ponds just over the rise of land along the south side of the lake. In the west end is the mouth of Cow Creek, which drains the Moose Family lakes of Bull, Cow, and Calf to the south and west.On the northern shore is the mouth of the South Brule, dropping over 60' in under a quarter mile as it descends over rapids from Brule Bay. The river exits at the end of the northeastern arm, dropping into Swan. The South Brule below Vernon is not immediately navigable and pressing on to Swan requires taking a 292 rod portage down the south side of the valley. The portage climbs 60' out of Vernon before descending nearly 120' in the final half mile (180 rods) into a couple of deep S curves of the South Brule just above Swan. (Note that while the McKenzie maps show the portage landing on the southwestern shore of Swan, both Fisher and the USGS have it up river, above the S curves, where the river becomes navigable. The latter are generally more reliable and are most likely correct in this instance).
Campsites
Vernon supports two established campsites, one in the southwest corner and the other on the north shore just east of the mouth of the South Brule and the Brule Bay portage.Planning Considerations
Vernon 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. Unlike other lakes on the route, there are many good opportunities for bushwacking and exploration out of Vernon, including Vernon Creek and the web of lakes, ponds, and streams up Cow Creek.Wildlife
Vernon supports populations of Burbot (Lota lota), Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui), Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have been stocked. Lake Whitefish is the dominant speciesNotes and Comments
Vernon is an appealing lake on its own account and ought not to be overlooked in a mad rush to reach Brule.
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