Alton Lake

Alton Lake covers just under 1,000 acres in the Tofte district of the Boundary Waters. It's a short paddle and easy portage north of Sawbill Lake on the Sawbill Trail corridor, and short, easy carries connect it to both Sawbill and Kelso Lakes, making it a natural, popular first stop for parties heading in from nearby entry points, while carries continuing north toward Wonder and Beth Lakes run longer and harder.

At 72 feet, Alton is one of the deeper lakes in this part of the district, and the water stays clear, with visibility beyond 14 feet. Roughly a third of the lake is shallow enough to fish from the surface down, and the rest drops into that deep basin. Its shoreline stretches over 15 miles for under 1,000 acres, folding into enough bays that a big group can usually find a quiet corner even on a lake this well used.

Smallmouth bass define the fishery here: they run in above-average numbers with some reaching 18 inches, among the better bass growth rates in the region. Walleye reproduce naturally without stocking and run fewer in number but larger individually, and northern pike, while not abundant, occasionally turn up over 30 inches. Cisco fill out the cold water below.

Sixteen campsites are spread around the lake, one of the higher counts of any lake in this corridor, which keeps a site within reach even when the lake sees plenty of traffic.

Alton Lake suits paddlers who want an easy first camp with real fishing behind it: quality smallmouth and walleye water reached by two of the shortest portages on the Sawbill side of the wilderness.