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Bretram Chain of Lakes this morning in Monticello. A beautiful chain of lakes to paddle in complete silence. Lots of parking with two options to get in. If you want to paddle all 4 & willing for a little adventure enter at the boat launch on Bretram. End of the gravel road past the parking lot. Once on the water you'll see a fishing dock on your right, this is where the creek/damn start. Easy out & in on the right of the damn. The creek to Long Lake is shallow, windy, with lots of low hanging trees. I did pull myself over a down branch & around snapped limb partially blocking the creek, at one point. I never got out of the kayak & it was pretty straight forward to navigate. I didn't explore Bretram lake at all but it looks nice with a beach area opposite of the boat launch. If you just want to paddle the 3 connected lakes Long, Mud, First (LMF) there is a canoe launch to the east of the parking lot. Per Geo Tracker it's a 560 feet walk down a steep, stairs like pitch, gravel path. I did carry my Kayak on my shoulder up. Two people would easily be able to portage this path. (See pics) When I go back I will portage straight into Long & paddle up the creek towards Bretram, turn around and paddle on to LMF lakes. I also want to explore the creek at the end of First next time. LMF Lakes are all super secluded, shallow, with sandy/muddy bottom, loaded with lots of large fish (18-24+ inch), and rimmed by tall grasses & trees. The channels between LMF are wide and easy. The water clarity reminds me of Lake of the Isles & Cedar Lake in Mpls. Other than 4 Loons not much for bird watching this morning but lots of frogs & fish. I saw 3 guys fishing off the docks with one pulling in a huge 2+ footer. There was one boat on First lake with two people fishing. I will be back for sure. The only negative where the horse/deer flies. Namaste.
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