Location: About 2.5 miles SE of Ropes, off the NW corner of Cliff Island.

Description: This is a large bay, open to the east, with fairly high but not steep shoreline. The shelter is quite good in all directions except NE.

Shore Mooring: “Little One” has moored “under the Eagle’s Nest” and reports that this is an acceptable though not terrific spot. Other places in both north and south bays looked like good possibilities – please explore and report.

Other Comments: There was quite a bit of mining activity on Deadbroke at one time – not particularly successful if the name is any indication. Ambitious explorers who are willing to push inland about 50 feet from shore will find a track (wide enough for a vehicle), that goes most of the way around the island, which makes hiking very easy. Just NW of Deadbroke there is another small island which offers a sheltered anchorage. Greg Pilot has used this bay, and he recommends it.

Location: About 1.5 miles west of “S” Island, in the extreme SE corner of Clearwater Bay.

Description: The NW corner of Robson Island has been developed as a day picnic area similar to that on “S” Island. The small dock is old but in reasonably good repair. There is a beach north of the dock, facing west. There are picnic tables, some trails for exploring and a couple of privies. If your boat draws more than 4 feet, or if lake level is low, approach the dock carefully, using a stern anchor and tying up bow on.

Other Comments: This would be a good lunch stop en-route to or from Ash Rapids Camp or the north end of Clearwater Bay – or you could make it a turn around point on a day trip from Northern Harbour.

Location: A mile or two north of Scotty Beach; 4 miles west of the entrance to Pine Portage Bay.

Description: This area has been developed by the town of Kenora as a picnic place, and is quite heavily used by power boaters on weekends. There is a large well-maintained dock on the NW side of the bay, a beach to the east of the dock, and a picnic area with barbeques. There can be broken glass around – be very cautious in bare feet. For the ambitious, there is a trail around the outside of the island.

Other Comments: If staying overnight, use the east side of the dock so that the usual westerly winds will blow you off the dock rather than into it. If you tie up with the bow facing out of the bay, you will probably ride the waves more comfortably.

Nearby Attractions: A former attraction is nearby Bare Pt., just to the east – one of the original nude bathing beaches in the early part of this century. There are no recent reports of similar activities there.

Location: Just west of the mouth of Pine Portage Bay, on the SW side of Sultana Island.

Description: This is a very good Friday night stop, particularly if the winds are northerly, making Lowry Bay untenable. The bay is particularly well sheltered from the north and east, and adequately sheltered from other directions.

Shore Mooring: There are several places around the bay, particularly on the south shore, where shore access is possible. If anyone has found an especially good (or bad) place, please let us know.

Hazards: The chart shows no shallow water around the very small island just west of the “4”. Don’t believe it! The best route may be centre channel to the west of the island. In any case, keep a bow lookout in that area.

Other Comments: Another Friday night stop used by NYC members is the little hook just west of the black buoy at the entrance to Pine Portage Bay. Good shelter from the south and west, not much from north and east.

Location: At the head of Pine Portage Bay, 7 miles east of Kenora by road; about 10 miles SE of Kenora by water.

Description: Northern Harbour has docking and storage space for 200 boats. All marine facilities are available including launching for keelboats up to 30 feet, gas, pump-outs, water, ice, fibreglass and prop repairs. For the crew there is a restaurant, washrooms and showers. Northern Yacht Club is based here. Their clubroom is next to the restaurant, overlooking the harbour.

Docking: Temporary docking is available for visitors. Find the owner, Gary Hall, to arrange for an overnight stay. Most empty slips are assigned and should not be used without checking first with the owner.

Hazards: In approaching NH from the south, you can pass between the larger of the two islands and the shore, or go outside both islands. Do not attempt to pass between them.

NOTE: MOU between the island’s owners and NH dictates that all boats must pass on the west side of the larger island; not between islands or between the smaller island and the shore.

When passing the black buoy at the entrance to Pine Portage Bay, take care not to get too close to the eastern shore, where there is another shoal.

Location: About 12 miles SW of Northern Harbour, west of the channel on the east side of Crow Rock Island. Twelve Mile Portage itself is a mile to the east, in Shammis Island.

Description: This bay is well sheltered from all directions except northeast and southeast. The shoreline is steep most places but still accessible.

Shore Mooring: Shore access is possible on the west side of the large island and at various places on the northwest and southwest shores of the bay. Choose your spot according to wind direction and the agility of your crew. Watch for rocks below the surface near shore as you approach.

Hazards: Some sailors report anchors, which have not been set carefully, may drag here. Let out lots of scope and set firmly.

Location: About a mile east of Whitefish Narrows, at the west end of Long Point Island.

Description: Access to this bay is from the south, through a long narrow channel which opens out into quite a large bay. The shore is mostly open rock, except for the west end of the bay which is shallow and weedy. Shelter is good in most winds, except strong west winds which can funnel through the mile-long bay.

Shore Mooring: There is open clean shoreline for mooring at several places around the bay – chose your spot according to expected winds.

Other Comments: Shallow draft boats can enter Long Bay from the northeast corner of this bay, but keel-boats will probably find there is not enough depth in the very narrow passage.

Location: This is an unmanned hatchet-shaped island on the west side of Miles Bay, NW of the Sabaskong and east of the Little Traverse.

Description: This is a very narrow little bay with high steep shores on all sides. Shelter is good in all directions, although not as good in SE winds.

Shore Mooring: Shore access is difficult everywhere, but is possible on the south shore near the head of the bay to tie up at a narrow ledge.

Hazards: There was a report in 1983 of a small shoal in the entrance to the bay, about a foot below the surface. Proceed with caution!

Other Comments: The climb to the top is rather difficult but well worth it. The hilltops are rocky, open, good for hiking and well-supplied with blueberries. The view to the southeast is great.

Location: At the SW end of Sabaskong Bay, just north of the town of Morson.

Description: This are provides facilities for cottage owners and tourists in the Sabaskong area. There are small marinas, limited grocery supplies, a government dock, and most important, pump-out service. Not more than two of these occur at the same location.

The government dock is located on the east side of Hanson Bay. There is a large parking lot across the road and it is possible to drive out onto the dock. There are no other facilities or development, which makes the area very attractive for weekend drinking parties in cars. Apparently it is possible to spend a quiet night at the dock during the week.

The large open bay directly west of Hanson Bay has several small Marinas, some with grocery stores associated.

The bay east of Greens Island has two establishments. The northern one, “Buenavista” has a large dock system used by houseboats and powerboats, a restaurant, and a well-stocked grocery store – the best in the area. Pump-outs are available here, but outrageously expensive ($25.00 in 1982).

“Bayview” is a marina-trailer court further south in the bay. There is a small grocery store (usually has frozen bread available) and gas is available. This is the better place for a pump-out. The system (a tractor towing a storage tank and a good pump) is fast, clean, provided cheerfully, and priced the same as at Northern Harbour. This is 1981 information – please advise if you have more up-to-date information of the situation.

Location: At the SE corner of Lake of the Woods, at the extreme end of the eastern arm of Sabaskong Bay.

Description: Nester Falls is a small resort town on Hwy 71 a few miles south of Sioux Narrows. As you approach from the west, the falls for which the town is named are directly behind ahead of you. The government docs and some private docks are in a large bay to the south. Galatea reports having spent a comfortable quiet night at the dock a couple of years ago.

Nearby Attractions: From the dock area a short walk up the hill to your left takes you to a motel (with satellite TV, if the dish is any indication) and a small but very well stocked store. A little further north, there is a small tavern where one can enjoy a cozy candlelit evening. If you continue your walk north along the highway you will cross the bridge over the falls and reach a small park on the west side of the highway where you can get a close-up view of the falls.

Other Comments: There are two resorts in the immediate vicinity with gas available at the docks. Diesel fuel can be obtained at the gas station near the store.