Lake Metigoshe State Park

Lake Metigoshe State Park is a North Dakota state park located on the shores of Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains, 14 miles northeast of Bottineau, along the Canada–US border. The park lies adjacent to the southwest corner of the much larger Turtle Mountain Provincial Park in Manitoba. A small portion of the lake extends northward into the Rural Municipality of Winchester but is not part of either park.

History

The name Lake Metigoshe is derived from the Ojibwe phrase mitigoshi-waashegami-zaaga'igan meaning "clearwater lake of scrub-oaks." The area was also once home to the Blackfoot, Hidatsa, and Assiniboine peoples.

The park was constructed in the 1930s as a part of President Roosevelt's "New Deal" programs during the Great Depression. It was formally established and approved on February 17, 1937.

Activities and amenities

In the summer, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, water-skiing, and other water sports are popular. Lake Metigoshe has northern pike, walleye, and perch for fishing. There are modern and primitive camping areas as well as picnicking areas.

In the winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, skating, sledding, and ice fishing are popular.

The park's Turtle Mountain Outdoor Learning Center offers ecology, conservation, and outdoor recreation programs.

The Club de Skinautique is a water-skiing club that practices and performs on Lake Metigoshe. The "Skinautiques," as the club is informally called, have been performing water skiing shows every summer since 1958.

External links

• Lake Metigoshe State Park North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department
• Lake Metigoshe State Park Map North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department