The famous Clearwater-Pipestone chain of lakes is an extraordinary water system with over 70 miles of water. It consists of eleven lakes and two rivers that are connected together. Due to its overall narrowness, many islands, sheltered bays, and winding rivers, it can be fished even in rough weather.

The Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes is located between Lake of the Woods to the west and Rainy Lake to the southeast. Our waters flow into the northwest arm of Rainy Lake via the Footprint River.

Little Moose Lodge is located on Clearwater Lake (also known as Burditt Lake). The lake is about 12 miles long with depths up to 80 feet. Clearwater Lake is a fisherman's paradise; it's loaded with structure including many bays, islands, weed beds, expansive sand flats, rocky shoreline, major points, underwater humps, shelves, reefs and rock piles.

Clearwater Lake's gin clear water offers fine fishing for Walleye, Muskie, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Perch and Whitefish. This lake consistently produces trophy fish of all the species each year. Out of all the trophy fish entries submitted by our guests to the Ontario Anglers award program, more than half are trophy fish from Clearwater Lake.

Clearwater Lake has dams at its north and south ends to help maintain adequate water levels throughout the lake chain as well as downstream water bodies Rainy and Lake of the Woods. Besides some good current fishing there are mechanized rail portages at both dams which enable you to the entire Clearwater-Pipestone chain.

These rail portages are privately owned and operated. You drive the boat on to a cart, much the same as a boat trailer, the operator will winch the rail cart over the portage while guests remain seated in their boat.

Clearwater Lake's south rail portage takes you into the Manomin River. From there you can fish Rice Lake, Despair Lake, the Mile River and Footprint Lake. Experienced boat operator's can navigate through scenic Jackfish Rapids to access East and West Jackfish Lakes. It takes about 40 minutes with a 16' boat and 30 HP to go from the lodge through all five lakes.

These south lakes are much shallower with stained tea colored water with lots of weed growth, for fish quantity, these lakes produce extremely well for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and perch. Black crappie are also in these lakes, although more scattered than what crappie fisherman are accustomed to, 14 inch slabs are a common size.

Clearwater Lake's north rail portage allows access to five more lakes with clear water, they are Weld, Slender, Stonedam, Schistose and Pipestone Lakes. These north lakes have much the same structure as Clearwater Lake offers. Pipestone is the largest of the eleven lakes with depths over 200'. These lakes provide superb fishing for Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Walleye and Northern Pike. Again with a 16' boat and 30 HP motor it takes about 1-1/2 hours to reach the top of the chain, which is the Northwest arm of Pipestone. There is no need to go that far to fish, but a GPS unit is a valuable tool if one decides to venture that far from the lodge. There are hundreds of islands to navigate around.

Dozens of other lakes surround the Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of lakes. They provide an endless variety of excellent fishing and exploration. We have boats and motors cached on several of these lakes. From the shores of Clearwater Lake you can take a 2 minute hike into out boat cache on Cedar Lake and fish for Pike, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass. Take a short boat ride across Cedar Lake and take a 15 minute hike into our boat cache on Panarama Lake. This is a catch and release lake where you will catch many large Northern Pike!

All of the lakes provide scenic locations for a delicious shore lunch.

Clearwater-Pipestone Chain of Lakes is noted for the trophy fish they have produced. Little Moose Lodge encourages our guests to practice CPR-Catch Picture Release of the many trophy fish caught each year. We all want future generations to enjoy the fine fishing also! Check out Ontario Federation of Angler and Hunters for trophy fish entered by guests of Little Moose Lodge.

South Portage pictured below.