Winchell Lake
From BWCAWiki
Winchell Lake is a long, large (826 acre) and deep (max. depth of 160 feet) east-west oriented lake in the southeastern Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is over 5 miles long and nearly 1/2 mile wide in places. Winchell Lake lies immediately north of the Misquah Hills, which rise over 300 feet in elevation above the lake. The northern shore of Winchell is relatively flat in comparison. Although the Minnesota DNR describes Winchell Lake as having a maximum depth of 160 feet, based on a weighted line survey conducted in 1939, depths exceeding 185 feet have since been located using an electronic depth finder, northeast of the Wanihigan Lake portage.
Due to its large size and east-west trend, canoeists should be aware that strong westerly winds and associated waves can make travel on Winchell difficult at times.
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Camping
The campsites on the west end of the lake are generally considered better than those on the east end. All campsites are located on the northern shore of the lake.
Fishing
Connections and destinations
- North 50 rods to Omega Lake
- North 60 rods to Gaskin Lake
- South 14 rods to Wanihigan Lake
- West 125 rods to Pup Lake
Natural History
A fraction of the forests surrounding Winchell Lake were burned in a forest fire in 1995.
The bedrock of western Winchell Lake is gabbro.
Also there is a small water fall located on the mid south side of the lake the waterfall is not found on maps but was caused when a creek ran over a ledge which created the pool waterfall if found the waterfall is climeable but there is no designated trail to the top. At the top is a large open meadow where moose could be spotted. The falls is also criss-crossed with downed fire killed trees
