1981 Map of Ensign Lake East

About this map

The international border between Minnesota and Ontario bisects this intricate landscape of interconnected waterways and portages. Anchored by the expansive Knife Lake and Ensign Lake, the area is defined by its role as a protected wilderness, split between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest and Quetico Provincial Park to the north. Named landmarks like Robbins Island and the Isles of Pine emerge from the deep blue of the larger lakes, while a network of smaller bodies like Trident Lake, Neglige Lake, and Vera Lake are linked by established portage routes. In the north, Hunter Island Lake surrounds Hunter Island, illustrating the complex glacial hydrography of the Quetico-Superior region. This survey captures the region just before the mid-1980s, highlighting the primitive transportation routes like the Snowbank Trail that provide access to this roadless interior.