Leech Lake
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| Leech Lake | |
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| Location | Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47°09′21″N 94°23′24″W / 47.155755°N 94.389896°WCoordinates: 47°09′21″N 94°23′24″W / 47.155755°N 94.389896°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 111,527 acres (45,133 ha) |
| Max. depth | 150 ft (46 m) |
| Settlements | (see article) |
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, it covers 111,527 acres (451 km²), has 640 miles of shoreline, and has a maximum depth of 150 feet (46 m).
Zebulon Pike, who led a party in 1805-1806 to find the head waters of the Mississippi, thought that Leech Lake was the source of that river. It is actually Lake Itasca, although Leech Lake also feeds into the Mississippi.
On October 5, 1898, Leech Lake was the location of a conflict between Native Americans and Federal troops of the United States, the Battle of Sugar Point[1]. 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[2]. Oscar Burkard received the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1899 for his participation in the battle[3].
Leech Lake is a popular sport fishing hotspot, and is fished for walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish, northern pike and muskellunge. The state record Lake Whitefish (12 lbs, 4.5 oz) and Pumpkinseed (1 lb, 5.6 oz) were both caught here in 1999[4].
Every February, Leech Lake is home to the International Eel Pout 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.
[edit] Towns on Leech Lake
- Leech Lake Township
- Remer
- Federal Dam
- Whipholt
- Walker
- Onigum
[edit] References
- ^ "Minnesota Lodging - Walker MN - Leech Lake Tourism Bureau". Leech Lake Tourism Bureau. 5/29/2008 <http://leechlake.org/history.htm>.
- ^ Sultzman, Lee. "Ojibwe". 5/29/2008 <http://www.tolatsga.org/ojib.html>.
- ^ "Medal of Honor: Oscar Burkard". Office of the Sergeon General. 5/29/2008 <http://history.amedd.army.mil/moh/burkardo.htm>.
- ^ "State Record Fish: Minnesota DNR". Minnesota DNR. 5/29/2008 <http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/staterecords.html>.
[edit] External links
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