Hunter Island (Ontario) facts for kids
Hunter Island is a big piece of land in northern Ontario, Canada. Even though it's called an "island," it's actually connected to the mainland! This area is special because it sits between two important old fur trade routes. These routes were like highways for traders long ago.
The two main routes were the Kaministiquia and the Grand Portage. Hunter Island is full of large, quiet, and often windy lakes. Today, it makes up the southern part of the beautiful Quetico Provincial Park.
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Where is Hunter Island?
Hunter Island is located right on the Canada–United States border. To the south, it's bordered by lakes like Ottertrack, Knife, and Basswood. These lakes are part of the international boundary between the two countries.
To the east, you'll find Saganaga Lake. To the north, there are Kawnipi and Sturgeon lakes. The Maligne River forms the western edge.
How Big is Hunter Island?
This large area is about 45 miles (72 kilometres) wide from east to west. It stretches about 32 miles (51 km) from north to south. It's so big that it was once thought to be a true island!
It's actually a peninsula. This means it's connected to the United States by a small strip of land. This connection is called the 90-rod (450-metre) Monument Portage.
A Look at Hunter Island's Past
The name "Hunter Island" comes from a very old French map. On this map, the area was called Iles des Chasseurs. This means "Isles of the Hunters." It shows that hunters likely used this land a long time ago.
Border Disputes and Iron Ore
In the 1890s, there was a disagreement about who owned the Hunter Island region. Both the United States and Canada wanted this land. This was because the area had millions of tons of iron ore. Iron ore is a valuable rock used to make steel.
Eventually, the disagreement was settled. Canada was given ownership of the Hunter Island region.
Canoeing Adventures
Hunter Island is a popular spot for canoeing. You can paddle around the entire "island" on a special canoe loop. This loop is more than 200 miles (320 km) long!
It usually takes at least twelve days to complete this amazing journey. The route passes through busy parts of the park. It also goes by many interesting natural and historical spots. It's a great way to explore the wilderness.
Lakes of the Hunter Island Region
- Agnes Lake
- Kahshahpiwi Lake
- Kawnipi Lake
- Saganaga Lake
- Sarah Lake
- McIntyre Lake
- Brent Lake
- Basswood Lake
- Sturgeon Lake (Quetico)
