All the lakes have northern pike except the shallow bodies of water that freeze to the bottom in winter. More than 20,000 beavers live in these wetlands, the densest population in the state, and they share the countryside with moose and caribou, black and brown bears, red foxes, coyotes, lynx, otters, wolves and wolverines. Billions of hungry mosquitoes cloud the summer landscape. Of the few human visitors, moose hunters are the most common. They find no trails, no facilities and no immediate aid from the refuge staff of seven permanent employees who live 70 air miles away.
Camping is unrestricted, except on private inholdings.
Campfires are permitted, and firewood is abundant. Rain may wet you anytime in spring, summer and fall, and any night of the year could freeze. Winter temperatures sometimes reach 60 degress below zero F. From May through July light is almost constant, and the sun never sets in mid-June. In mid-December the sun never rises. If you come, bring rubber boots for walking and binoculars for observing all the wildlife except the mosquitoes which are quite easy to spot.