Jean Hedren, Northwest Wisconsin

The Secret Passageway Between Bond Lake and Leader Lake, Wascott, WI Here’s another in an occasional series of posts answering the question: “Can I really get there from here?” Here in Northwest Wisconsin, maps often show a connection between two lakes, and fising guidebooks may mention a “navigable channel.” But can you really get there from here? The answer, of course, is “it depends.” First, it depends on the size of your boat. How much water does it draw, how wide is it, and how tall is it? If your boat has an awning or visor, can it be folded down? In some cases, the weather and the time of year can even make a difference. If the water is too low, there won’t be enough to float your boat. Too high, and you may not have quite enough headroom under a bridge. So your mileage, as they say, may vary. Keep your speed down, and proceed with caution. So… Just how navigable is that channel? Here’s the answer for Bond Lake and Leader Lake, a pair of lakes in southern Douglas County. Although each has its own character, both of these deep, clear lakes are often mentioned together as one hyphenated name. There’s even a Bond Leader Lake Road in the neighborhood. Leader Lake is a limited-access lake; its only public access is by canoe or kayak from a carry-in landing just off Bass Lake Road. Or, you can launch your boat on Bond Lake and follow the channel that connects the two lakes. So here it is… The no-longer-secret passageway from Bond Lake to Leader Lake, complete with a few photos showing what you can expect. If you’re starting from Bond Lake, you’ll find the channel at the far northern end of the lake. If you’re starting from Leader Lake, the channel begins at the western basin’s southwestern corner—just south of the canoe landing. At normal water levels it’s navigable by canoe, kayak, fishing boat, and even pontoon. One or two spots are quite shallow, so proceed with caution. And by the way… If you’d like to see a home on either of these two lakes, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty NW Wisconsin at 218-590-6634.