Lake Temagami Access Road - Red Squirrel Lake Road

safehunter

safehunter

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I'm going hunting and fishing on Temagami next week. It's my first time up there.
Does anyone know what shape Lake Temagami Access Road is? I'm driving a minivan with a yard trailer loaded with a couple of canoes. Assuming I can navigate the road, is there a decent parking spot and put in at the end?
Really I'm hoping for a handful of grouse and good eating pickerel. Some nice canoeing, tenting and maybe some waterfowl if they come in range. I have a bear tag if we come across one that begs for it. I also have a deer tag, but I plan on using that for the soy and corn fed bambi's in the south.
Any suggestions for a Temagami newb? I was told to camp on the sand point on the West side but the ottertooth website says it's closed for environmental reasons.
Any good campsite recommendations? Any honey holes for fish or fowl?
All info appreciated. I've browsed some maps but really me and my bud are just winging it.
 
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Lake Temagami Access Road - Temagami Lake info request

The road is quite wide, lots hills for the first couple Km's. Washboard in middle of the summer but has probably been graded since. Good travel speed is 50 for your load and is only about 16km long. At the end is a public boat launch and there is another boat launch/house/business just before the end. Not the best place to hunt/camp IMO. You may want to google map red squirrel road. It's just north of the town, it may be a better place to hunt/camp. Never been down that road, but I have some buddies that hunt/camp that road yearly.
 
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The road is corrugated but graded regularly. The area gets a lot of traffic to the marina at boatline bay. We take our work vans to boatline frequently when we work on the lake, so you won't have a problem with your van. I haven't been to the end so I can't comment on that portion. Don't know about parking down there.

I've fished it a few times this summer but only came up with smallmouth and rock bass.

Haven't camped but I have seen plenty of campsites along the north east and north west fingers. Back woods maps detail these. Very nice sand beach at the far end of the north east finger.

You will probably see bears along the access road by the dump. I've seen them almost every trip. Had to honk at four hanging out on the road by the dump gate... I did see a whitetail deer swimming in the middle of the lake last time I was down, so they are around.

Sorry I cant be more specific about a certain site of fishing spot.

Depending on time, you can also head north 15-20 minutes and try red squirrel road for hunting, fishing and camping opportunities. If the winds are rough, you'll appreciate a smaller lake to paddle, and the atv trails can be hunted. There are few trails around lake temagami so it's mostly bush hunting. And all of the islands are privately owned on temagami btw.
 
Red Squirrel Lake Road eh? Sounds intriguing. Any idea if I can drive this road with the minivan and utility trailer? Also, is there access to Temagami Lake from this road? I'm looking on the Backroads map book and only see access to Temagami Lake marked at the town and on Temagami access road. I also don't see any marked campsites on Red Squirrel Lake. What's the fishing like on this lake.

If there's access to that beach site on Temagami, which looks west of Camp Wanapitei, then it would be pretty ideal.

The map book shows a couple decent trails on the west side of Temagami lake, two by the entrance to Obabika bay and one south of the sand point.

I think I'll stay clear of the dump bears. I understand bears taste like whatever they've been eating.
 
I've never been down red squirrel road. But ive driven past it, it won't be a problem for your ride That beach at wanapitei camp is about 300 yards long. For camp sites don't know, I use to work on Devils island at a camp for multiple summers and spent my time around there. If trying to stay away from dump bears, there is a dump on the access road and a lot of dumpsters at the end of the road where public access is to the lake. I do remember a small road on the left just past boat line bay which leads to an open area with a small dock, which is used as access/parking for islanders to get to their cottages. May work as a camp spot but islanders may not like it, if there's any around.
 
I've been down red squirrel for 10-15km. It's a gravel road. no washouts. Google maps shows a road leading to camp wanapatei but I don't know when it becomes private property, red squirrel road is close to the north end of lake temagami a little farther down from wanapatei. can't guarantee access to launch your boats without bushwacking there though. I know there are several nice campsites along red squirrel, one of which is right on red squirrel lake I believe. Firepit, game pole, parking.

fish Ontario indicates red squirrel lake holds perch, rock bass, walleye, pumpkinseed and lakers. I haven't fished red squirrel myself.

At some point along red squirrel the trails are closed to motorized vehicles, but after the camp site mentioned above. These are nice trails to walk for birds, free of atvs.
 
Don't worry about finding a good campsite... just wing-it, there are plenty of spots to set-up. I have fished Red Squirrel, and it is a better choice than Temagami IMO... bass, pike and walleye.
 
I concur, Red Squirrel Rd is a far better prospect compared to Lake Temagami Access Rd.

Main trail (gravel road) is wide/well maintained and easy to navigate with most, if not all types of vehicles. One could drive aprox 29kms westward before the road forks. A bit hilly and winding terrain, therefore some care is recommended in terms of speed control while driving downhill with a trailer in tow. Quite a few good spots along the span of the logging road that would enable parking/camping. Numerous sub trails that are narrrow and best accessed with ATV or an SUV only. Canoes will work, however, one may have to portage depending on location on the trail.

Not many Whitetails in WMU 40 as far as I'm aware (Moose territory). If Waterfowl is in the mix, best to carry non-tox loads only (for both Grouse and Ducks) to avoid complications.
 
safehunter said:
Red Squirrel Lake Road eh? Sounds intriguing. Any idea if I can drive this road with the minivan and utility trailer? Also, is there access to Temagami Lake from this road? I'm looking on the Backroads map book and only see access to Temagami Lake marked at the town and on Temagami access road. I also don't see any marked campsites on Red Squirrel Lake. What's the fishing like on this lake.

If there's access to that beach site on Temagami, which looks west of Camp Wanapitei, then it would be pretty ideal.

The map book shows a couple decent trails on the west side of Temagami lake, two by the entrance to Obabika bay and one south of the sand point.

I think I'll stay clear of the dump bears. I understand bears taste like whatever they've been eating.
Click to expand...

Unless they've been eating from a dumpster behind the local BBQ joint. Mmmm
 
I limited on grouse last Saturday, about 45 minutes north east of Red Squirrel. It's shaping up to be a good year. Seeing lots of Timberdoodle at first and last light too.
 
Dew worm below a slip float + fishing the edge of the mud/algae line near shore = plenty of walleye from shore

I refuse to hand out any more info on a public forum. This thread should be nuked before another quiet and clean place to take the family is ruined by the internet. There's probably a dozen people already on their way up there to leave their garbage everywhere and shoot everything in sight...
 
Well after a week of hunting red squirrel road (and eagle lake road):

Pros:
1) Accessible, road was good
2) Easy nice road side camp sites on the lake - beautiful lakes

Cons:
1) HOLY TRUCK TRAFFIC. I didn't understand that logging was a 24 hour activity. Logging, fuel and heavy equipment all night long flying by the road side camp sight all night long. The two am graders making 4 passes 10 feet from the tent was a highlight. Not much sleep.
2) after 4 days - 60km of driving and 20+km of walking we only saw 6 grouse. Shot at 4, got 2 in the pan. Tried roads, atv trails, bushwacking. Maybe after a week of warm weather the hunting was shut down from the cool and rain. Of course I picked the wrong week :(

The Verdict:
Glad I went to explore the area, but I won't be back. The all night trucks were insane. Maybe if I had a better offroad vehicle to get to a campsite off the main road or a boat to get to an island campsite or the far shore it would be worth it. Maybe if it was a grouse nirvana it be worth it. As it was, I'll be trying elsewhere.
 
I see the name red squirrel road in Temagami and it makes me shudder. I spent a summer there as a junior ranger and brushed the entire road.
 
safehunter said:
Well after a week of hunting red squirrel road (and eagle lake road):

Pros:
1) Accessible, road was good
2) Easy nice road side camp sites on the lake - beautiful lakes

Cons:
1) HOLY TRUCK TRAFFIC. I didn't understand that logging was a 24 hour activity. Logging, fuel and heavy equipment all night long flying by the road side camp sight all night long. The two am graders making 4 passes 10 feet from the tent was a highlight. Not much sleep.
2) after 4 days - 60km of driving and 20+km of walking we only saw 6 grouse. Shot at 4, got 2 in the pan. Tried roads, atv trails, bushwacking. Maybe after a week of warm weather the hunting was shut down from the cool and rain. Of course I picked the wrong week :(

The Verdict:
Glad I went to explore the area, but I won't be back. The all night trucks were insane. Maybe if I had a better offroad vehicle to get to a campsite off the main road or a boat to get to an island campsite or the far shore it would be worth it. Maybe if it was a grouse nirvana it be worth it. As it was, I'll be trying elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your luck. Didn't know about the logging which was probably a factor on the amount of grouse as well.
 
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