The Agnes Lake Loop starts out with the beautiful Falls Chain with its numerous stunning waterfalls.  At Kawnipi Lake, known for its excellent fisheries, turn southwest and take one of three ways to get to Agnes. Follow Agnes along, watching for Native American pictographs. Portage around Louisa Falls into Louisa Lake and after Louisa, paddle a remote chain of lakes into McEwen Lake.  From McEwen, portage into Wet Lake and paddle back down the Falls Chain. You have the option of cutting out six hours of paddling on either end of your trip by taking a tow boat shuttle across Saganaga Lake to Hook Island.

(This trip requires a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit in addition to a Quetico Park permit and Ontario Fishing Licenses.  See our Quetico page for more information.)

Check out a guest experience of the Agnes Lake route!

Ontario Parks entry permit needed: #73 Falls Chain Lakes

Maps for this route:

• Fisher Maps – F19 & F26 & F25 & F18 & F10 & F11
• McKenzie Maps – 6A & 26 & 37 & 36 & & 27 & 9 & 8

(Route lines are an approximation and should not be used for navigation.)

Starting at Saganaga Lake, paddle or get a tow to Hook Island

• Continue paddling into Cache Bay – Stop at the ranger station pick up your permit and pay user fees
• Portage around Silver Falls into Saganagons Lake – Silver Falls can be tricky when the water levels are high.  Be sure to ask for advice and current conditions in the office before starting your trip.
• Portage over Dead Man’s Portage into North Bay of Saganagons Lake -or- skip this portage by paddling longer around the peninsula
• Paddle the Falls Chain heading down stream
• Portage around rapids
• Portage around rapids
• Portage around Bald Rock Falls
• Portage around Little Falls – portage is on the east side, some maps are mislabeled
• Portage around Koko Falls
• Portage around Canyon Falls into Kenny Lake
• Portage around Kennebas Falls into  Kawnipi Lake 
• Paddle 1/2 up Kawnipi Lake and choose one of the three routes to Agnes Lake. (Anubis & Bird Lakes, Murdock and Agnes River Channel West, and Keewatin) 
• Portage into Agnes Lake
• Portage into Louisa Lake 
• Portage into Arp Lake 
• Portage into Star Lake 
• Portage into Fauquier Lake 
• Portage into Dumas Lake 
• Portage into Rod Lake 
• Portage into Edge Lake 
• Portage into Turn Lake 
• Portage into Glacier Lake 
• Paddle into McEwen Creek and enter McEwen Lake 
• Portage into Wet Lake 
• Paddle into the Falls Chain 
• Backtrack to Saganaga Lake 

Once on Saganaga Lake, have our tow boats pick you up at Hook Island or paddle back to the landing for a pick up!

Snapshots for this route