Pine Island State Forest

The Pine Island State Forest is a Minnesota state forest located primarily in Koochiching County, although there are portions that extend into Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, and Itasca counties. The forest borders the Koochiching State Forest to the east, the Red Lake State Forest to the west, and Big Fork State Forest and Chippewa National Forest to the south. At an area of 878,040 acres (355,330 ha), it is the largest state forest in Minnesota.

Pine Island State Forest
Geography
Location	Koochiching, Beltrami, Itasca, and Lake of the Woods counties, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates	48°11′11″N 94°11′00″W[1]
Elevation	1,197 feet (365 m)
Area	878,040 acres (355,330 ha)
Established	1933
Governing body	Minnesota DNR
Website	www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00040/index.html
Ecology
WWF Classification	Western Great Lakes Forests
EPA Classification	Northern Lakes and Forests
Lesser flora	Orchids

The location of Lake Agassiz in the area led to the flat topography of the forest, which is dotted with wetlands and bogs, and a sandy loam throughout. The vast expanses of old-growth northern whitecedar and pine were extensively logged in the early 20th century. But nowadays, the landscape is dominated by black spruce, tamarack, and northern whitecedar in the lowlands; aspen, pine, and balsam fir, which is predominate in upland sites.