Finding Faith ... in Waboose Lake

It took a month into summer last year before we finally got Unit 1 out into the water. Our commitment to "canoe every chance we got" in 2019 was falling flat as it seemed obligation after obligation blocked us from getting out to do our most favorite summer activity.

But when we finally got the canoe in, the day paid off as one of our most memorable canoeing experiences of our short adventure careers. I checked back and this was our post on Facebook that day: "It took a month into summer but 'Unit 1' saw her first water of the season today after church. Just a quick jaunt on a brilliantly sunny and steamy June Sunday. Saw a couple beaver dams, a majestic blue heron, a beautiful bald eagle, wild rice growing and dazzlingly blue water and skies. Waboose Lake will go down as a go-to spot now! #unit1#canoeingdaysarethebestdays#getoutside#landofskybluewaters#canoing"

We had learned of Waboose Lake, a small 232-acre lake in Becker County, Minn., while we were in the process of finding Twin Island Lake that has been the site of several other canoe adventures. But the first time we considered canoeing it the wind was up, and that led so some pretty tall waves blowing across the surface of the lake. And frankly, when we're out for a Sunday afternoon canoe ride, contending with choppy waves isn't our idea of fun. So the first time we saw Waboose Lake, we passed.

But on this second time back, the water was still, the June heat was on and Shelley and I couldn't wait to dump "Unit 1" in!

Even thought there is a wide, gravel covered public access that you could plunk a large motorboat into, the best part of this lake is that you won't see a lot of motored traffic. Despite boasting a variety of fish species, the lake isn't large, and it isn't deep, both factors that keep away the fishing boats. And on the day we spent on the lake, there wasn't one boat that we encountered.

According to the Lake-Link Minnesota website, there's as many as nine species of fish found in Waboose, including yellow perch, yellow and black bullheads, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegills and crappies.

It's hard to describe the blue that was in the sky that day, although our photos do a better job of showing you how beautiful the sky was. And we had the privilege of seeing two of the most majestic looking birds around, a blue heron and a bald eagle.

As we usually do, after launching from shore, we hugged the shoreline fairly tight and worked our way clockwise around the oval-shaped lake, which resembles an egg lying on its side, the wider base end to the east, and the slimmer end to he west. And what a treat the lake was!

The countless shades of green which we could see in the vegetation were only outnumbered by the infinite shades of blue and white in the sky. And our eyes greedily feasted on the color palate all around us.

Later in the day, as we reached the eastern shore of the island, we pulled the canoe up into a small cubby hole that looked as if one day in the past it was an open entry or exit way for water into or out of Waboose Lake. Regardless, we pulled the canoe over on a sand bar and enjoyed the day swimming away and drinking a beer.

We didn't fish this lake this day, as we didn't know if we'd be able to safely get the fish home afterward because it was a good hour or more away from our hometown. So we forego the idea.

All in all it was a good day, good enough to make us want to return to Waboose Lake again this year. But unfortunately, on the day we returned this year, we had to turn back as the waves were again climbing high thanks to a stiff northwest wind. We decided to take the safe route, bag the ride planned for here on that day and find a lake that wasn't as choppy as this one.

But, consider this a go-to lake if you're looking for a similarly great non-motorized experience! ... You'll thank me for it!