Restoule -Upper French Canoe Route
(Loop)


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Rating: Easy to Intermediate
Length 72 Km. /4 to 6 days - Portages: 14
Lakes: Stormy L., Restoule R. Upper French R, Lake Nipissing
Topo map: 31L04


This trip can be accessed at Restoule Provincial Park, west of Powassan at the end of Hwy 534. A map of this trip can be picked up at the Park gatehouse for the asking.


We began our trip on Stormy Lake and travelled Northwest into the Restoule River where We paddled 7Km to the portage at Scotts Dam. after the portage the river widens into Lennon Lake, where we found the first campsite. Red and White Pine, Poplar, and White Birch cover the rocky shore. Beyond Lennon Lake there is a portage around MacArthurs Rapids the Restoule River again widens out and meanders through a marshy area, good for wildlife viewing. A scenic gorge and falls are impressive sights on on Restoule Bay, which opens into the French River

We then travelled up the French River to the Upper French River, which is actually part of Lake Nipissing. The shoreline on the French changes drastically there is large stretches of open, flat rock and Jack pine.There is no current in the Upper French as it is part of Lake Nipissing. Numerous Pine- covered, rocky islands dot the the large open stretches of The Upper French and the fishing and campsites are excellent.You then follow Shoal Creek and two small lakes towards Restoule Provincial Park. to get to Shoal Creek, travel east on the south shore to Franks bay. Shoal Creek winds through a flat marshy area flooded by beaver dams, and wildlife is particularly abundant along this 8 Km. section of the trip. Bass Lake is a good place to fish for Bass, Pickerel and Pike. The portage out of Bass Lake has impressive stands of Red and White Pine. The portage ends at Clear Lake which flows into Stormy Lake on the NW arm.

 Poison Ivy flourishes at points along this route, and the larger lakes can be hazardous in windy weather !!

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