Leech Lake (translated from the Ojibwe language Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag: Lake abundant with bloodsuckers) 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 with of shoreline and has a maximum depth of .

Hydrology

thumb|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.

thumb|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. Also one plant can produce around two million seeds annually, and it spreads rapidly through aquatic systems.

  • Typha angustifolia

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.

thumb|Walleye

thumb|Muskellunge

Species of fish the lake contains:

  • Black crappie
  • Bowfin (dog fish)
  • Bluegill
  • Brown bullhead
  • Catfish
  • Eelpout
  • Hybrid sunfish
  • Largemouth bass
  • Muskellunge
  • Northern pike
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Rock bass
  • Smallmouth bass
  • Tullibee (cisco)
  • Walleye
  • White sucker
  • Yellow bullhead
  • Yellow perch
  • Jackfish

Vegetation

  • Wild rice

Grows in the shallow depths of Leech Lake, emerging through over 4,000 acres of water.

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. 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. Oscar Burkard received the Medal of Honor on August 21, 1899 for his participation in the battle.

In the summer of 1955, Leech Lake became famous for its musky fishing, as the "Leech Lake Musky Rampage" thrust it into the spotlight when hundreds of muskies were caught in a two-week period in July.

Economy

Recreational/leisure use

Every February, Leech Lake is home to the International Eelpout Festival. The eelpout, 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 eelpout.

Towns

thumb|Walker, facing east down Main Street

  • Ah-Gwah-Ching
  • Brevik
  • Federal Dam
  • Leech Lake Township
  • Onigum
  • Remer
  • Whipholt
  • Walker

References

  • DNR leech lake info
  • Leech Lake Tourism Bureau
  • Fishing leech lake
  • Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation:
  • about six lakes including this one