Cass Co Lake

About Cass Co Lake

Cass Lake is undoubtedly one of Minnesota's natural treasures, and its natural beauty is only surpassed by the many ways visitors can enjoy the lake. And it's the environment. The lake is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota and the state's largest freshwater lake, Cass Lake.

Numerous campsites and resorts are located along the coast, as well as a large number of restaurants, hotels and other amenities on the lake.

Cass Lake in northern Minnesota is the largest of the eight lakes that make up the Cass Lake chain and consists of two lakes, the Mississippi and its tributaries. The lake is fed by the Minnesota River, a major source of drinking water for the state of Minnesota and the United States, and is located about 50 kilometers north of St. Paul, Minnesota. The water levels in Lake Cass are affected by the operation of these two dams on the river and Mississippi, as well as by changes in the water flow from the lake to the rivers.

At the exit of Cass Lake is the Knutson Dam, owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Otter Tail Power Company operates the upstream dam above Stump Lake and the downstream dam on the Mississippi below the lake. The Knutson Dam was built in 1890 as a timber dam, but was rebuilt in 1928 by the US Army Corps of Engineers and then handed over to the United States Forest Service for operation.

In the language of the Ojibwe, Cass Lake is called Stump Lake, where there are many red cedars. Indian heritage is also present in the rich history of Cass Lake, and the lake is named after General Lewis Cass, who led an expedition in 1820 and mistakenly identified it as the source of the Mississippi. An expedition led by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832 identified the original source of Lake St. Paul and its tributary, the Cass River, as well as its source.

Fascinating at Cass Lake is Windigo Lake, a 1100 hectare island in the middle of the lake. Interestingly, the island has its own lake, Lake Windigo is the largest freshwater lake in North America and the second largest lake of its kind.

Cass Lake is also a fishing paradise, with some of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the United States and the largest freshwater lake in the world.

Cass Lake is home to a large number of musk fish caught annually, as well as the largest whale population in the United States. Anglers catch whales up to 10 pounds, musk up to 20 pounds and more.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued consumption guidelines for whitefish in Cass Lake, which set a maximum of £1,000 per year for musk fish, but there are other wild species, so check out our consumption guidelines for your favorite catch. The deep, sunken islands, deep water and picturesque views of the lake offer the perfect topography for the dream holiday fisherman.

In addition to fishing, visitors can enjoy Cass Lake and the surrounding Chippewa National Forest, a popular destination for hiking, biking and camping. A variety of camping facilities such as camping, fishing and kayaking are available, as well as a wide selection of hiking and biking trails.

In winter, visitors can enjoy the 50-mile Heartland Snowmobile Trail, which runs from Park Rapids to Cass Lake. Bird lovers will find the National Eagle Center just 10 minutes away, and in summer Cass Lake borders the Great Lakes National Park and Chippewa National Forest.

The nearest is Bemidji Regional Airport, which is just an hour from Cass Lake, and Northwest Airlines offers connecting flights to Fargo, which is a three-and-a-half-hour drive away. With scenic views of Lake Superior and the Great Lakes National Park and Chippewa National Forest, it is well worth a visit.