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Minnesota Lakes of the Superior Basin

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 Entry Points of the BWCA
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Entry Points of the BWCA

It's called the "Land of a Thousand Lakes." It is a haven for wildlife and recreational afficianados. This place is Minnesota, and with its natural beauty and pristine lifestyle it can rival any place on earth. Although the entire state is dotted with forests and lakes, the northern portion is especially rich with natural scenery. The northern portion of Minnesota boarders Canada and Lake Superior. Much of the water from Lake Superior actually runs off into the lakes of Minnesota. Along the Lake Superior shore line is the Superior National Forest. The Superior National Forest is home to many lakes and rivers and is a popular recreation spot. Portions of the waters of the Superior National Forest are sectioned off in the Boundary Water Canoe Area or BWCA. The BWCA are bodies of water used for avid and intense canoeing. The waters are "paddle only" areas, and do not allow motorized water craft of any kind. Along the BWCA trails are canoe outfitters, who help visitors plan and prepare of trips. With thousands of miles of water and forests to explore, the northeast section of Minnesota is an adventure waiting to be had.

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Lake Vermilion

Makes you want to be at Lake Vermilion
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Makes you want to be at Lake Vermilion

Not many lakes recieve national recognition for their scenic beauty, but for that matter, not many lakes are Lake Vermilion. In 1940, Lake Vermilion was ranked in the top ten by the National Geographic Society for its scenic beauty. Lake Vermilion has not lost any of its sparkle, as its official website still claims it to be a top ten lake. Lake Vermilion, or "The Lake of the Red Sunsets," is one of the largest lakes in the Superior National Forest. The 40,000 acre lake is also part of the BWCA, and has an entry at Trout Lake. There are 365 islands inside of Lake Vermilion, and it has an amazing 1.200 miles of shoreline.

Various types of fish live in Lake Vermilion, including walleye, small and large mouth bass, northern pike, muskie and panfish. There is a catch and release policy on Lake Vermilion, and this ensures that the fish population will be strong and healthy for future generations.

One of the most unique things about Lake Vermilion is its mail system. Lake Vermilion utilizes the services of a mail boat to deliever mail to its many islands. This of course is only a summer sevice because as we all know, the lake freezes in the winter!

Sawbill Lake

View from Sawbill Lake
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View from Sawbill Lake

Nestled in the Northeast corner of Minnesota is Sawbill Lake. Sawbill Lake is part of the Superior National Forest, and much of it lies within Cook County Minnesota. Sawbill Lake is also part of Minnesota's BWCA. Sawbill Lake is known for its great camping and fishing. There are nearly a dozen designated campsites along the lake. Avid fishers can enjoy a wide range of fish, including Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. The area surrounding the lake is also home to many wild land animals including bears, so watch those picnic baskets!

Sawbill Lake is named after a northwoods duck called a Common Merganser. Natives to the area call the Common Merganser a "Sawbill" for its unusual looking bill. Sawbill Lake has an approximate area of 765 acres and a maximum depth of 45ft. The closest town to Sawbill Lake is Tofte, Minnesota

Devil Track Lake

Another lake that calls the Superior National Forest home is Devil Track Lake. Devil Track is a popular tourist destination. The 1,838 acre lake is the setting for the Devil Track Lodge and the Devil Track Campground. Visitors can also rent luxury houses right on the lake. Devil Track is located near Grand Marais, Minnesota and is ideal for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Devil Track is a BWCA body of water and is just minutes from Lake Superior.

<googlemap lat="47.787326" lon="-90.389328" zoom="11">47.820993, -90.420227, Devil Track Lake</googlemap>

Caribou Lake

One of Minnesota's hidden wonders is Caribou Lake. Caribou Lake is part of the Superior National Forest and is just minutes from Lake Superior. Caribou Lake has eight established campsites, and offers fishing and other water activities.

The preservation of Caribou Lake is extremely important to the residents of the surrounding areas. To help protect the lake, the Caribou Lake Wasterwater Plan was adopted. It is a four part plan to maintain the lake now and in the future. The four steps are:

  • Protect the lake for future generations.
  • Protect the health of lakeshore owners.
  • Protect the investment of thousands of hours of volunteer work invested over the past 5 years.
  • Preserve approved state grants and low interests loans.

Outdoor recreation is a year round event near Caribou Lake. Summer is a great time for enjoying the lake while fishing, kayaking, swimming, boating and canoeing. Hiking and biking can also be enjoyed during the warm Minnesota summers. During the winter months, hunting and ice fishing are popular pastimes. The Buckhorn on Caribou Lake Resort, offers the perfect setting for a relaxing wilderness adventure. The resort has no televisions or radios, so there are no distractions. You can also camp for a more private vacation experience.

Greenwood Lake

Rental home on Devil Track Lake
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Rental home on Devil Track Lake

Greenwood Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Superior National Forest. With an area of over 2,000 acres, and an average depth of 112 feet, Greenwood Lake is home to many species of fish and wildlife. Avid fishers can enjoy catches of brook trout, green sunfish, lake trout, tullibee and many others.

Greenwood Lake, like Devil Track Lake, is located near the town of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Grand Marais is a resort town, that prides itself on delivering a wonderful environmental and cultural experience. Visitors can enjoy typical lake activities like swimming, canoeing and hiking. They can also visit the wonderful businesses, museums, and galleries that the city has to offer.

More Lakes of the Superior Basin

Baker Lake

Brule Lake

Homer Lake

John Lake

Magnetic Lake

Pine Lake

Ram Lake

External Links

Boundary Waters Canoe Area http://www.bwca.com/

Lake Vermilion http://www.lakevermilion.com/

Lake Vermilion Resorts http://www.lakevermilionresorts.com/info

The Boundary Waters Compendium, Sawbill Lake http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/lakes/lakes9/sawbill.html

Devil Track Lodge http://deviltracklodge.com/

Devil Track Lake Homes http://www.northshorevisitor.com/vacation-rentals/devil-track.html

Minnesota DNR, Lakefinder http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

Buckhorn on Caribou Lake http://www.buckhornoncaribou.com/

The Boundary Waters Compendium, Caribou Lake http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/lakes/lakes10/caribou.html

Greater Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce http://www.grandmaraismn.com/index.htm