20

12

371

10

39

39

2

33

33

8

8

9

33

46

2

39

9

35

18

3

6

646

2

11

3 18

6

63

Big Lake

Big RiceLake

Buena Vista State Forest

Buck Lake

Cass LakeStar

Island

LakeWindigo

O’Neils Point

Lake Windigo Portage

Hwy 2South Star Island Campsite

Pike Bay

Cass Lake

Norway Beach Rec. Area

Moss Lake

Ten Section L.

Twin

Lak

e

St. Marks

Pike Bay Bluff

Little Moss Lake

Lake Thirteen

Little Twin Lake

South Pike Bay Campground

PortageLake

Chi

pp

ewa

Nat

iona

l

For

est

Bou

ndar

y

CrookedLake

WelshLake

Steamboat Bay(Leech Lake)

Ojibwe Beach Access

Cedar I.

Nushka Group Site Reservation, Group

Camping Only

BELTRAMI COUNTY

Schra

m

Lake

1260

1265

R

Portage Right • 297 yardsKnutson Dam Rec. Area

Allen’s Bay

Kitchi Lake

Popple Lake

Pimushe Lake

Moose Lake

Little

Moose

Lake

Dec

ker L

ake

Morph

Bowstring State Forest

1255

Co. Rd. 33

ITA

SCA

CO

UN

TY

1250

Smiling Joe’s

Meadows

CASS COUNTY

Lydick Brook

Sucker Lakes

Sucker Bay(Leech Lake) Leech Lake

Portage Lake

Reese Landing

Governor’sPoint

West Winnie Campground

1245

Sugar Lake

Kenog

ama L

ake

Third River Access

Dixon Lake

Dunbar Lake

Lake Winnibigoshish

(Caution: High wind and boat waves may cause hazardous conditions. Paddlingacross the lake is not recommended)

Richard’s Townsite

Bena

R

FederalDam

Leech Lake Recreation Area

Portage Right

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Drumbeater Lake

Sixmile Lake

1240

Tamarack Point Campground

Birches Landing

Winnie Dam Recreation Area

PigeonDamLake

Deer LakeCampground

Deer Lake

West Seelye Bay Campground

East Seelye Bay Campground

Round Lake

Squaw Lake

Nature’sLake

LittleSand Lake

Mosomo Point Campground

Cutfoot SiouxLake

Williams NarrowsCampground

South McAvity Bay1235

LPlug Hat Point

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Portage Left297 yards

1230

1225

Bowstring State Forest

Goose Lake

Mud Lake

river level gauge

1220

Ball Club Lake

Crazy James’Point

Little Winnibigoshish

Lake

Little BallClubLake

First River

First RiverLanding

On-E-Gum-ECampground

Bowstring River

Sand Lake

Bowstring Lake

CowBay

Chi

pp

ewa

Nat

iona

l

For

est

Bou

ndar

y

Ball Club LakeAccesses

1215

1210

Ball Club

Gambler’s PointCampsite

#2 Access

R

Portage Right

Mud/Goose WMA

JesseLake

Talmoon

LittleJesseLake

Muskrat Bay

Grouse Bay

LittleBowstring

Lake

Rice Lake

Island Lake

Chase Lake

Deer River

White Oak LakeAccess

Little WhiteOak Lake

White Oak Lake

Little WhiteOak Lake

Access

1205

1200

Chi

ppew

a N

atio

nal F

ores

t

Leaning WillowCampsite

# 10 Access

Schoolcraft State ParkVehicle Permits Required

Vermillion Rive

r Leighton

Bk

Van PatterLake

Leighton Lake

1195

ITASCA COUNTYCASS COUNTY

Third River Flowage

Mississippi River

Leech Lake R

iver

Mississippi River

Mud Goose WMA

Morph Meadows WMA

Sugar LakeWMA

Bowstring Deer

Yard WMA

Nature's Lake WMA

SteamboatWMA

Bowstring Deer

Yard WMA

PenningtonBog SNA

Hole-in-the-BogPeatland SNA

Wanaki

Co. Rd. 3

NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION of ROUTE

The Mississippi connects lakes Cass and Winnibigoshish, two large lakes formed as giant ice blocks melted on plains created by glaciers 10,000 years ago. These lakes have always been important to the Ojibwe people of northern Minnesota, and today, lie within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. These are extensive public lands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service as the Chippewa National Forest. The river is gentle, suitable for novice paddlers. The rewards of the paddle are forested shorelines, pine-covered islands, and eagles soaring overhead.

1266-1258.2 Cass Lake Cass Lake access/rest area; shelter, telephone, drinking water, picnic area, boat access, parking, dock. Norway Beach Rec Area; shelter, telephone, drinking water, picnic area, campground, boat access, showers, swimming, wheelchair accessible. O’Neils Point; watercraft campsite. South Star Island; watercraft campsite. Schram Lake; watercraft campsite. Nushka Group Site;

carry-in access, drinking water, shelter, camground.

1264.3(L) Allen’s Bay carry-in access

1258.2(R) Knutson Dam Recreation Area Portage right 297 yards. The Chippewa National Forest controls the level of Cass Lake at Knutson Dam, and operates a 40- unit campground at the dam site. The Chippewa National Forest maintains three campgrounds and public accesses on Cass Lake’s southeastern shore. There are beautiful sand beaches at these sites. Norway Beach offers interpretive programs in the summer.

1258.4 State Highway 39 bridge This is a gentle stretch of river, bordered by mixed hardwood forest. Most of the land is publicly owned; paddlers will see little development past this point. The river leaves the Mississippi Headwaters Board’s “Scenic” designation and enters a section managed as “Wild.”

1257.6 Co. Rd. 10 Bridge

1254.6(R) Co. Rd. 33 Bridge and access The access is located on the downriver side

of the bridge. The riparian landscape now changes from wooded to wetlands.

1252.6(R) Mississippi Meadows Mile Marker The river broadens into an area known as Mississippi Meadows. Ducks and geese use these wetlands for raising young and beginning their fall migration. The pines on the point, jutting off the river’s right bank, are more than 100 years old.

1251.8(R) Lydick Brook Mile Marker The confluence of Lydick Brook from the south help create the Mississippi Meadows. The creek’s name comes from a homesteading family whose son represented the area in the U.S. Congress. A significant archaeological site was uncovered when part of the Great River Road system was rebuilt in 1995.

1251.4(R) Meadows Campsite

1250.1(R) Smiling Joe’s Campsite 1247-1230.8 Lake Winnibigoshish The lake’s name means “dirty water” in Ojibwe, referring to the effect of wind on the lake’s sandy shorelines. Lake Winnibigoshish, or Winnie, is Minnesota’s

third largest inland lake. Therea are many facilities around the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish. Check the map for details. A slight breeze can produce large waves across it. Caution: do not paddle across Lake Winnibigoshish. Portage from Reese Landing (see below) by car to the Winnie Dam Recreation Area on the east side of the lake. If you must paddle, do so only in warm weather and stay within swimming distance of the shore.

1246.7 (R) Reese Landing Located on Winnie’s western shore, to your right as you enter the lake.

1246.7(L) Governor’s Pt. Cmpst. and access

1246.3 (L) West Winnie Campground Located on the lake’s western shore, to the left as the paddler enters the lake. Water access, drinking water, rest area.

1236.6(R) Tamarack Point trailer access

1236.0 Tamarack Pt. Cmpgrd. and access Note: There are several campsites and accesses located on the northeast side of Lake Winnie. See the resource list at the end of this map for contacts.

1231.4(L) Plug Hat Point (L)

1230.8 (L) Winnie Dam Recreation Area Portage left 297 yards. The U.S. Congress authorized construction of the dam regulating the level of Lake Winnie in 1881 on lands it had already granted to the Ojibwe people of Minnesota. “No white man knows of the damage that will be done to us,” Sturgeon Man, a Lake Winnie resident, told a government commission appointed to address the problem. “Every year what supports us grows on this place. If the dam is built, we will all be scattered, we will have nothing to live on.” The dam was built and compensation was provided to Sturgeon Man’s ancestors 104 years later, in 1985. The dam elevated water levels about eight feet, wiping out cemeteries, villages, shoreline crops and plants. Today, the Leech Lake Indian Reservation’s fish hatchery is located near the dam site.

1229.0(L) Little Winnibigoshish Lake

1225.6(L) Crazy James’ Point This river access only campsite is located in a mixed pine and hardwood forest.

1218.8(R) U.S. Highway 2 The Mississippi’s channel is lined with fine white sands, remnants of a time 6,000 years ago when the landscape was much drier and Lake Winnie was ringed with sand dunes. The Chippewa National Forest now conducts prescribed burns of the wetlands, which has brought back several plant species. If the river level gauge reads 5.0’ or above, water is high; water level is medium at 2.0’ to 5.0’, and water is low below 2.0’.

1213.6(L) Leech Lake River Access and campsite The Leech Lake River meets the Mississippi here.

1212.0 (R) Gambler’s Point campsite and rest area This campsite provided the only access to land from the river as it makes its way though a series of oxbows, created as the river cut channels in soft material laid down by glaciers. Many of these had been dredged during logging years to provide a more direct route for log movement.

1205.2/1206.5(L) Channels to White Oak Lake From White Oak Lake Access it is a one mile walk to Deer River for supplies.

1202.5(L) Little White Oak Lake It is a 1.5 mile paddle from the Mississippi River to the Little White Oak Lake Access.

1199.5- 1198.2

(R)Schoolcraft State Park The Vermillion River joins the Mississippi

River at Schoolcraft State Park, a small park with a handsome stand of red pine. Camping, public access and drinking water (no showers) are available at the park, including one first come, first served river access only campsite that is free of charge. Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permits are required at the access. Other campsites are available by reservation from Memorial Day to Labor Day. All of Schoolcraft’s campsites are within 400 feet of the river. For more information on Schoolcraft State Park please contact the park at 218-743-3362, or visit the DNR website

1196.0 (L) Leaning Willow campsite River access only.

1194.7 (R) # 10 Access

This location marks the down river boundary of this map. Refer to map 3, Vermillion River to Palisade for further information.

A S TAT E WAT E R T R A I L G U I D E T O T H E M I S S I S S I P P I R I V E RROUTE DESCRIPTION • CASS LAKE TO VERMILLION RIVER

U.S. Highway

Carry-in Access

Trailer Access

Outfitter

Dock

Campground

WatercraftCampsite

Rest Area

Picnic Area

Drinking Water

Dam

Interpretive Center

Point of Interest

Fish Hatchery

Hospital

Designated Public LandFishing Pier

Caution Areas

Interstate Highway State Highway

Safe Refuge is shelter with access to a telephone

North

County Road

River Mile

Rapids

Safe Refuge

0

0 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 kilometers

miles W.M.A. = Wildlife Management AreaS.N.A. = Scientific and Natural Area

HEADWATERS RIVER TRAIL

The Mississippi River makes a question mark shape on the land as it travels from Lake Itasca to St. Cloud. You are invited to follow the Headwaters River Trail down the first 420 miles of the Mississippi River. At Lake Itasca, the Headwaters trickle over a stone ledge, where you can wade across the mighty river. Tributaries add momentum for the 2,348 mile trek to the Gulf of Mexico; groundwater contributes two-thirds of the Mississippi River’s initial flow. From the Headwaters, the river flows through nine lakes. Glacial hills, called moraines, and glacial depressions, now lakes and wetlands, create scenic views. Wetlands, marshes, and oxbows act as natural filtration systems, preserving water quality. Rapids and riffles dot the entire river. Fishing is great!River elevation drops 500 feet from Itasca to St. Cloud. Hydropower and water control dams require portages. A braided river pattern joins the Mesabi and Cuyuna Iron Ranges — 100 miles apart by road and 200 miles by river. The Cuyuna Range is the most rugged area of the Headwaters. Near Brainerd, development and agriculture increase with a more defined channel; natural characteristics are preserved.The Mississippi Headwaters Board is an eight-county joint powers board organized to protect the natural, cultural, scenic, scientific and recreational values identified in the Mississippi Headwaters Guide Book. The Headwaters is an extraordinary place for wildlife and rare plants. Citizens protect the Mississippi River at its Headwaters to help provide safe drinking water to millions of people downstream in St. Cloud and the Twin Cities, and in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.Choose a wilderness experience or visit parks with a variety of facilities. Either way you will see a unique place and meet the people who live here. The Mississippi River is a fun place to visit.

PLANNING A SAFE RIVER TRIP

A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe journey, you should be prepared. You should be acquainted with your route. Choose a distance that is comfortable for you. Water levels can speed you or slow you: get information about water levels from the regional DNR Minnesota State Parks and Trails office, or check the river level gauges listed in the route description section of this map. Protect the water and shorelands and leave nothing behind you except footprints. Remember that much of the shorelands are privately owned. Here’s a checklist you should consider in planning your trip:

• Travel with a companion or group. Plan your trip with a map before you depart and advise someone of your plans including planned departure and arrival times.• Most people paddle two to three river miles per hour.• Plan for big water. Do not underestimate the power of wind and waves on large lakes. Lake Bemidji, Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish can be dangerous; stay within swimming distance of shore. If you are uncomfortable with large open water, plan to use a vehicle to portage around the lakes. • Bring a first aid kit that includes waterproof matches.• You must pack out all trash.• Be cautious of river obstructions, such as overhanging and dead trees in the river.

• Leave only footprints; take only photographs! Rest Areas and Camping Sites

• Public rest areas are available along the route to rest, picnic and explore.• Camp only in designated campsites, which are available on a first come- first serve basis.• Bring drinking water. It is only available at a limited number of rest areas. Drinking river water is not recommended, but if you do it must be treated.• Respect private property. Stop only at designated sites; much of the shoreland is private property.• Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury human waste away from the river.

Boating Information

• Wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.• Bring an extra paddle.• Not all portions of this water trail are suitable for motor use.• Register your watercraft. All watercraft more than 9 feet in length, including nonmotorized canoes and kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or your state of residence.

ABOUT THIS RIVER SECTIONCass Lake to Vermillion River

Large lakes are the Mississippi’s defining characteristics as it flows east from Bemidji through the town of Cass Lake and towards Grand Rapids. Glaciers created these lakes thousands of years ago. The lakes are a challenge to the river traveler, and can be quite dangerous. The lakes keep the water quality pristine, support a healthy population of game fish, and are the main attractions of the area. Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish were created when large ice blocks, lying under glacial till, melted. Henry Schoolcraft named Cass Lake for Lewis Cass, who, as governor of Michigan, led an expedition to the Mississippi’s headwaters in 1820. He ended his journey at the lake, known as Red Cedar Lake for the distinctive tree, which is not as easily found today. Schoolcraft was part of the 1820 expedition, and vowed then to complete it, which he did 12 years later when he renamed Cass Lake. Schoolcraft met his Ojibwe in-laws at Star Island, and it was Ozawindib who led Schoolcraft to Lake Itasca. Conifers dominate the sandy soils of this landscape. Aspen, birch, sugar maple, basswood, red oak, and bur oak are found on richer soils. Unique features are the white sands of the dunes that once surrounded Lake Winnibigoshish, the oxbows of the river channel and the extensive stands of upland pines. The large red and white pines of the upland coniferous forests are favorite roosting places for the bald eagle. Minnesota has the largest number of breeding bald eagles in the lower 48 states. One-third or more of the state’s population can be seen in the Chippewa National Forest, through which the Mississippi flows. Protection and management of bald eagle habitat has been a priority with the National Forest since the 1960s. There were 20 pairs of breeding bald eagles in 1963; 31 years later, 189 breeding pairs of bald eagles were counted in the Chippewa National Forest. Biologists believe that this may be the ecological limit of the bird’s population. The success of the Chippewa National Forest in restoring bald eagle population has a special meaning for the original people of the Mississippi Headwaters. The Ojibwe people consider the bald eagle to be a messenger from the Creator. According to Ojibwe oral

tradition, the eagle flew to the Creator’s world to speak on behalf of the Anishinabeg (Ojibwe) people, who had displeased the Creator. Respecting the eagle’s bravery, the Creator agreed to spare the Anishinabeg and teach them respect and honor for all creatures. The Creator made the eagle a symbol of the connection between the Creator’s world and the world of the Anishinabeg. “Those you protect, I will protect.” the Creator told the eagle. Downstream from Lake Winnie, watch for white sands on the river’s bottom as you near Highway 2. This material is a remnant of ancient sand dunes that formed by wind action on Lake Winnie’s southeast shore during a hot and dry period more than 6,000 years ago. Below, it’s confluence with the Leech Lake River, the Mississippi’s channel deepens, and the riparian marsh plain doubles in width. The river once created oxbows here, which are now abandoned river segments filling with vegetation. The marshes and natural oxbows are considered geologically significant by the State of Minnesota, although that designation carries no special protection. The oxbows of the river’s channel support many forms of wildlife, such as fish, mink, raccoon, otter, wood ducks, mallard & merganser. When filled with water during high conditions, such as melting snows in the spring, the oxbows provide protected shelter for

spawning fish. Careful control of water levels at upstream and downstream dams is necessary to avoid flooding the homes of fur-bearing animals, such as muskrats, or separating spawning fish in the oxbow from the main channel. White Oak Lake and Little White Oak Lake are depressions in the vast marsh plain lying northeast from the Mississippi River. Between the two lakes is the highest point of elevation

in the marshes from Little Winnie Lake to the Mississippi’s confluence with Vermillion River. Its location was frequently noted as a stopping point by early travelers, including Joseph Nicollet in 1836. The sedge grass marsh above Day’s High Landing is the largest on the Mississippi, and the largest wetland south of Red Lake, covering 12 square miles of area.

Schoolcraft State Park actually lies on both sides of the river, although the buildings, campsites and boat access are located on the west bank. The stand of red pines here was prized by local people who lobbied the state to establish the park in the 1960s.

HEADWATERS RESOURCESU.S.D.A FOREST SERVICE - CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FORESTSUPERVISOR’S OFFICERoute 3 Box 244, Cass Lake, MN 56633 • (218) 335-8600

LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COUNCILDIVISION OF RESOURCES MANAGEMENTRoute 3 Box 100, Cass Lake, MN 56633 • (218) 335-8240

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESREGION 2 HEADQUARTERS1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • (218) 327-4455

CASS LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE422 Birch Avenue NW, P.O. Box 548, Cass Lake, MN 56633(218) 335-6723

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HEADWATERS LAKES PROJECT OFFICEP.O. Box 130, Remer, MN 56672 • (218) 566-2306

SCHOOLCRAFT STATE PARKCass County Road 74, Deer River, MN 56636 • (218) 247-7215

MINNESOTA INDIAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL1819 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN 56601 • (218) 755-3825

NORTHERN MINNESOTA HISTORY REFERENCE MATERIALSMINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETYA.C. Clark Library, Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN 56601 • (218) 755-2955

LEECH LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEP.O. Box 1089, Walker, MN 56484 • (218) 547-1313

GRAND RAPIDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE1 Third Street NW, Grand Rapids, MN 55744(218) 326-6619 • 1-800-GRAND MN

GRAND RAPIDS AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU1 Third Street NW, Grand Rapids, MN 55744(218) 326-9607 • 1-800-355-9740

SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy and attractive natural environment. Sustainable outdoor recreation enables people to enjoy the outdoors without negative impacts on the environment. Communities working together can improve water resources by promoting environmentally sensitive land-use practices along rivers and throughout watersheds. Natural shoreline buffers improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments. Healthy and diverse native shoreline plant communities are attractive and provide important habitat for birds and wildlife.

BELTRAMI

HUBBARD

CLEAR-WATER

ITASCA

AITKIN

CASS

CROW WING

M O R R I S O N

Bemidji

Lake Bemidji

Lake Itasca

Cass LakeBall Club

Lake Winnibigoshish

Deer River

PokegamaLake

Cohasset

Jacobson

Palisade

Brainerd

Aitkin

Fort Ripley

Riverton

Little Falls

Scho

olcr

aft

Rive

r

Turtl

e

River

Leech

Willow River

Prair

ie R

iver

Swan R

iver

Lake River

Vermillion River

Lake George

Walker

Randall

Sartell

St. Cloud

Royalton

Remer

Cross Lake

Crosby

Pillager

Deerwood

McGregor

Turtle River

Pine River

Nokasippi

Rive

r

Gull Lake

Little Elk

Swan River

River

Crow

Wing

River

Grand Rapids

Big SandyLake

Cass Lake

Splithand

River

“...such was the nature and strength of the grass that it required the united strength of the whole crew to force a canoe throught it.” Lietenant James Allen,

on paddling the Mississippi Rivernear Lake Winnibigoshish in 1832.

Natural Shorelands

40% evaporation

10% runoff

50% infiltration

Altered Shorelands

30% evaporation

55% runoff

15% infiltration

A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

1601 Minnesota DriveBrainerd, MN 56401218-828-2619

Photos: Peter Card II© 2016 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota State Parks and Trails Regional Unit

PROTEC

TING THE FIRST 400 MILES

OF THE MISSI

I RIVER

This Publication was produced by the Mississippi Headwaters board in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Financial support was provided by the folowing organizations.

Minnesota PowerREI/National Rivers Coalition

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation BoardItasca Trails Task ForceMcKnight Foundation

National Forest Foundation

Mississippi Headwaters BoardP.O. Box 3000, Walker, MN 56484218-547-7263

PPISS

mhbriverwatch.dst.mn.us

“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer”

This information is available in alternativeformat upon request.

Online water trail information andmaps can be found at mndnr.gov/watertrails

Mississippi RiverCass Lake to Vermillion River - Map 2 of 9

STATE WATER TRAIL MAP

DNR Information CenterThe DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free

publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota.

500 Lafayette Road

St. Paul, MN 55155-4040651-296-6157 Metro Area1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free

mndnr.gov