Leech Lake

Leech Lake is a lake located in north central Minnesota, United States. It is southeast of Bemidji, located mainly within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, and completely within the Chippewa National Forest. It is used as a reservoir. The lake is the third largest in Minnesota, covering 102,947.83 acres (416.6151 km2) with 195 miles (314 km) of shoreline and has a maximum depth of 156 feet (48 m).[1]

This article is about the lake in Cass County. For the lake in Chisago County, see Leech Lake (Chisago County, Minnesota).
Leech Lake
Lake and Dam
Leech Lake
LocationChippewa National Forest, Cass County, Minnesota, U.S.
Coordinates47.155755°N 94.389896°W / 47.155755; -94.389896
Primary outflowsLeech Lake River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area102,947.83 acres (41,661.51 ha)
Max. depth150 ft (46 m)
Shore length1160.9 sq mi (417 km2)
Settlements(see article)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Hydrology
Walker Bay and The Narrows, looking south from Oak Point

Leech Lake outlets to the Leech Lake River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The sole outlet to the Leech Lake River is controlled by a dam in order to regulate water levels of the lake. Leech Lake has seven major inlets that include Portage Lake Creek, Sucker Creek, Steamboat River, Benedict River, Shingobee River, Bishop Creek, and the Boy River. There are also nine minor inlets that flow into Leech Lake.[2]

The larger east portion of Leech Lake, as seen from The Narrows

Islands

Leech Lake hosts eleven islands that cover a total of 1,617 acres of land.[2] 160 sq miles

The following list is in order from largest to smallest.

  • Bear Island
  • Minnesota Island
  • Pelican Island
  • Headquarters Bay Island
  • Big Pipe Island
  • Goose Island
  • Bog (Duck) Island
  • Narrows Island
  • Little Bear Island
  • Little Pelican Island
  • Gull Island
  • Shingobee Island
Shingobee Island in Walker bay

The long, narrow Shingobee Bay is part of Leech Lake, and is located on its southern end. Shingobee Bay, and the adjacent Walker Bay, boast some of the deepest parts in the entire lake.

Ecology

Invasive species

Also known as purple loosestrife. This is an invasive plant that takes over lake shores and marshes, replacing cattails and other native wetland plants. Purple loosestrife doesn't provide a sufficient food source, nesting area, or cover for the native animals.[3] Also one plant can produce around two million seeds annually, and it spreads rapidly through aquatic systems.[4]

Better known as the narrow-leaf cattail, this invasive plant is able to grow in deeper water (compared to its native counterparts). The narrow-leaf cattail competes with the native Typha latifolia (broad leaf cattail) and other native plants along Leech Lake.[2]

Aquatic life

Leech Lake is a popular sport fishing hotspot, and is fished for many different types. The state record lake whitefish (12 lb, 4.5 oz) and pumpkinseed (1 lb, 5.6 oz) were both caught here in 1999.[5]

Walleye
Muskellunge

Species of fish the lake contains:

Vegetation

Grows in the shallow depths of Leech Lake, emerging through over 4,000 acres of water.[2] Wild Rice is a valuable crop for the Leech Lake community.

Grass like plants that grow in water, they can reach lengths of around ten feet. These plants are an important food resources for aquatic life in Leech Lake.

Eagles
Two mature bald eagles nesting on the shores of Oak Point

Leech Lake and the surrounding national forest is home to a large population of bald eagles. They are known to return to their same nests when mature. Populations have risen over the last few decades.

History
Ojibwa women in canoe, Leech Lake

On early maps, Leech Lake is identified in French as "lac Sangsue" (Bloodsucker Lake), which was then translated into English to its current name; its French name was translated from the Ojibwe "Ozagaskwaajimekaag-zaaga'igan" (lake abundant with bloodsuckers).[6]

In 1855, the Leech Lake Indian Reservation was established on the south shore of Leech Lake, along with two other Indian Reservations in the area, which along with two additional Indian Reservations, the five Indian Reservations were amalgamated in 1936 to form the current "Greater" Leech Lake Indian Reservation which encompasses most all of Leech Lake.

On October 5, 1898, Leech Lake was the location of a conflict between Ojibwe and Federal troops of the United States, the Battle of Sugar Point.[7] A firefight broke out between the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe after one of the soldiers sent to retrieve a bootlegger mistakenly fired his rifle.[8] Oscar Burkard received the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1899 for his participation in the battle.[9]

Economy

Recreational/leisure use

Every February, Leech Lake is home to the International Eelpout Festival. The eel pout, also known as the Burbot, is rarely seen in Leech Lake, except in the winter when it is very plentiful. Events include a black-tie dinner, ice bowling, and a contest to see who can catch the largest eel pout.

Towns
Walker, facing east down Main Street

References
  1. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake information report for Leech Lake
  2. Perleberg, Donna; Loso, Stephanie (August 2010). "Aquatic Vegetation of Leech Lake" (PDF). Minnesota DNR.
  3. "Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)". Minnesota DNR.
  4. Blossey, Bernd. "Purple Loosestrife". InvasivePlants.net. Archived from the original on 2014-10-28.
  5. "State Record Fish". Minnesota DNR. February 26, 2014.
  6. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 90.
  7. "Leech Lake History". Leech Lake Tourism Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  8. Sultzman, Lee. "Ojibwe History". Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  9. "Medal of Honor Recipients: Oscar Burkard". U.S. Army Medical Department – Office of Medical History. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
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