Watonwan LakeMaking Connections
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Full image approximately 2 miles square |
Description
Watonwan is a small, long, and narrow lake of NW/SE orientation on Sundown Creek, about a mile to the east of the Kawishiwi Lake landing. A mile long lake of only 66 acres, its maximum depth is 25'. Up Sundown Creek to the south and east is Sundown Lake, while close downstream to the north and east is tiny Short Lake. (Watonwan was once known as Long Lake). Watonwan and Sundown Creek are a part of the upper Kawishiwi River watershed, the creek entering the river about midway between Square and Kawasachong.Access to Watonwan is from the small overflow camping area at the Kawishiwi Lake campground on USFS Rd. #354, over an unmaintained one mile (320 rod) portage to the west side of the lake.
Campsites
Watonwan has no designated campsites.Planning Considerations
Watonwan is close by a relatively popular entry point, but well off the beaten path. It is not on any through route, and while it may still be traceable, the one mile portage in from the Kawishiwi campground is no longer maintained. It might make an interesting day trip from Kawishiwi, or as a bushwhacking destination up Sundown Creek from Kawasachong.Wildlife
Watonwan supports populations of Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris), Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens).Notes and Comments
The entire length of Sundown Creek, from its headwaters at Sundown Lake to its confluence with the Kawishiwi looks to be a very intriguing, if somewhat arduous, backcountry exploration option. Consider ending a trip at the Kawishiwi entry by detouring the well traveled route up the Kawishiwi River to the lake and instead paddle up Sundown Creek to Watonwan, portaging out from there to the carpark. Anyone crazy enough to have tried this? Enquiring minds want to know!
| Well, we asked the question. Here's an answer, from Andy Hubley:
You asked in your website if anyone had tried to go up Sundown Creek to Watonwan Lake. I met a guy on the Kawishiwi River at the Sundown Creek mouth who had just finished trying unsuccessfully. He said the underbrush became much too thick. |
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