Minnesota
has a large number of Lakes, over 4500. Here are a few select lakes of
larger scale, and
some nice
remote areas, some of which are in the Canoe Boundary Area (which we divided
by forests).
Popular Lakes
Cross Lake
(Pine River Lake). Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Showers,
Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch
Ramp, Visitor Information Center. Located in Crow Wing State Forest at the
Headwaters of the Whitefish Chain Lakes. C & C Boat Works.
Detroit
Lake. Fishing, Boating, Picnic Day / Use, Ramps, Marina, Fuel, Restaurant.
This 3.5 mile wide lake lies on the outside of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Other
nearby lakes include Sallie and Melissa. Located on Interstate 10, 45 miles
east of Fargo. J & K Marine Long Bridge Marina
Gull Lake
(plus Long, Edward, Pelican). Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity,
Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use,
Launch Ramp, Visitor Information Center. Located on the eastern side of the
Pillsbury State Forest, five other lakes here area accessible by boat, including
Long Lake, Edward Lake and Pelican Lake. Located off Minnesota State Route
371 just north of Brainerd.
Lac Qui
Parle (Red River of the North, Bois de Sioux River, Mud Lake, Big Stone, Marsh,
Minnesota River). All part of the River dividing North and South Dakota.
Each of these lakes and various river points include dams. Fishing, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, State Parks along this area include Big
Stone (10,700 acres wildlife refuge) northwest of Ortonville, and Lac Qui
Parle near Milan at Minnesota State Route 7 and 40.
Lake of
the Woods. Campsites with and without Electricity, Showers, Restrooms,
Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp, Marina,
Fuel. This 100 mile long by 60 mile wide lake features great boating and fishing,
14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline. Zippel Bay State Park and Northwest
Angle State Forest are two popular spots on the lake. The Northern shoreline
connects to Ontario Canada, while the western section connects to Manitoba,
Canada. If you are boating in northern Minnesota, this is one lake you won't
want to miss.
Mille Lacs
Lake. Campsites with and without Electricity, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. Home of Father
Hennepin State Park on the southeastern shoreline. This is one of the largest
lakes in central Minnesota. Other Points of Interest include a State Indian
Museum off U.S. 169 and Wealthwood State Forest on the northern shoreline.
Lake Minnetonka.
Fishing, Beach,. Popular Minneapolis spot for water sports. The Tonka
Toy factory lies on its shoreline. This 10+ miles of lakes is located just
11 miles west of downtown Minneapolis off U.S. 12.
Pokegamma
Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Nature Trails, scenic Drives.
There are also nearby paper mill and mine tours available. Just west of Grand
Rapids off U.S. 2. Launch Ramp.
Big Sandy
Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. Quiet recreational
spot in the Savanna State Forest. Points of interest include Indian sites,
in old Trading Post and Savanna Portage State Park.
Spirit
Lake. Fishing, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. WIth access into Lake Superior this is an excellent choice for a marina stop with many summer events. Spirit Lake Marina
St Croix
River. Boating, Waterports, Fishing, Marina, Ramps, Picnic Day / Use.
A popular boating river that runs from northern Minnesota fed be tributaries
down to the Mississippi at Prescott. Located from Prescott just west of St.
Paul. Ole Sawmill Marina. St. Croix Marina Afton Marina & Yatch Club Inc.
Lake Waconia.
Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Ice Fishing, Marina, Fuel. This Three mile wide
lake is popular both summer and winter for bass and muskie fishing. Located
in Waconia 27 miles southwest of Minneapolis. In Towne Marina
Upper Red
and Lower Red Lakes. An Indian Reservation area surrounds most of the
two lakes. Red Lake State forest is located on the eastern end of Upper Red
Lake. A small recreational area is located in Waskish off Minnesota State
Route 72. for more information contact the Minnesota Tourism Bureau.
Lakes
of Northern Minnesota / Lakes in Forests
Most feature
Fishing. Some feature the following:
Campsites
with and without Electricity, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary
Dump Station,
Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp, Visitor Information Center.
The larger
lakes include Leech and Winnibigoshish (see below).
Birch Lake.
Fishing, Swimming, Cabin Rentals, Ramps. Birch Lake is 20 miles long and
has 65 miles of shoreline lined with ledge rock cliffs and birch trees. Fishing
is spectacular with northern pike, walleye, crappie and blue gill. The Lake
is along the Gun Flint Trail and the boundary waters of the Canoe Area Wilderness.
The lake is sparsely populated and is 90 % federal land. Located
in Ely in the Bear Island State Forest.
Leech Lake.
Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp, Marina, Fuel.
Located in the Chipewwa National Forest, this is the largest resort lake in
northern Minnesota. Points of interest include Stoney Point Recreational Area
and the Last Chippewa Battle Point. Located off Minnesota State Route 371
in Walker. Leech Lake Marina
Winnibigoshish
Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Restrooms, Drinking
Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. Several recreational
sites surround this lake in the Chippewa National Forest including, Winnie,
Richards Townsite, Deer Lake and William Narrows. Other surrounding
lakes in the area include Ball Club, Cass, Pimush, Rabideau (Webster Lake
Recreational Area), Bowstring and Round Lakes. Located in the Middle of Minnesota
along U.S. 2. Marina at Bowen Lodge
George Washington
State Forest. There are many recreational areas within the forest, most
of them along a lake. Many of them feature (low horse power and canoeing),
Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Restrooms, Drinking Water,
Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. Lakes include Deer,
Coon, Owen, Bear, Sturgeon, Gun, Round, and Wabanna. Nearby Bowstring State
Forest includes North Star State Park near Turtle Lake. Located about 30 minutes
north of U.S. 2 on Minnesota State Route 35.
Kebetogama
State Forest. There are many recreational areas within the forest, most
of them along a lake. Many of them feature (low horse power and canoeing),
Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity, Restrooms, Drinking Water,
Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp. Some Cabin rentals are
also available here. Lakes include (mostly small boat with with low horsepower
or Canoe) Namakan, Ash, Black Duck, Elephant, Vermillion River, Johnson, Ramshed,
Big Moose, Bootleg, Cummings, Trout, Elbow Lake, Vermillion (a larger lake
with Wakemup Recreational Area), Pelican River, Myrtle, Agnes, Burntside (Burntside
State Forest), Big, Big Moose, Fourtown and Gur Lakes. This area is accessible
off U.S. Route 53.
Superior
National Forest. In far northeastern Minnesota. There are many recreational
areas within the forest, most of them along a lake. Many of them feature (low
horse power and canoeing), Fishing, Campsites with and without Electricity,
Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch
Ramp. Some Cabin rentals are also available here. The majority of these lakes
are in the Boundary Canoe Waters. Lakes include (mostly small boat with with
low horsepower or Canoe) Basswood, Ima, Kekekabic, Adams, Insula, Parent,
Silver Island, Wilson, Dumbell, Gabbro, Isabella River and Lake, Slate, Birch
(Bear Island State Forest) and Kawishiwi River and recreational area. Other
lakes near Lake Superior include, Timber, Wilson, Four Mile, Loon, Little
Saganaga, Winchell, Poplar Caribou, Pike, Elbow, Greenwood, and Northern Light
Lakes. The latter list of lakes are mostly in the Grand Portage State Forest
and Grand Payle State Forest. Many parts of this area is accessible off U.S.
61 northeast of Duluth and Minnesota State Route 1.
For Lake Superior See Michigan
For The Mississippi River see the Mississippi River Page.
Information based
on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brochures and boaters information.
If you know of any other great spots in Minnesota for boating (of all types),
or have more information, feel free to E-Mail us at Boating
America