Oriniack Lake

Oriniack Lake covers about 744 acres inside the Boundary Waters, in the La Croix district on the wilderness's west side near Trout Lake and Tower. It has no entry point of its own; the only way in is a single portage off Trout Lake, which makes it a side trip rather than a destination most parties plan a route around.

The shoreline runs more irregular than most lakes its size, folding into bays rather than sitting as one clean sheet of water. It stays shallow throughout, topping out at just 17 feet, and with most of the basin shallow enough to hold weeds, water celery and other aquatic plants grow out to about 7 feet deep. Boulder and sand line most of the shore, with a soft, mucky bog fringe tucked into the southwest bay.

Walleye and northern pike anchor the fishing here, and recent catch counts for both rank among the best recorded on this lake. Yellow perch and white sucker fill out the forage base, with a few rock bass and bluegill mixed in around the shallows.

Four campsites sit on Oriniack, no motors are allowed, and a standard BWCAW permit covers travel here same as anywhere else in the wilderness. Coming in over the one portage from Trout Lake keeps the traffic well below what that bigger lake sees.

Oriniack Lake suits a quiet side trip for parties already camped on Trout Lake, a smaller, shallower stop to fish or explore away from that lake's open water and boat traffic.