Leech Lake Area Activities – May 16, 2012
May 16, 2012
The Leech Lake area is one of abundant scenery, great history and endless entertainment. This is a destination for vacationers, couples, families, groups, day trippers, adventure seekers and more.
Leech Lake is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota; covering about 112,000 surface acres! It offers anglers a world-class fishing experience. The irregular shape of the lake and the many bays give this lake about 201 miles of shoreline, much of which consists of a mixture of gravel, rubble and boulder. This mixture is used primarily by the spawning walleye, which are plentiful in Leech Lake. Along with the large number of walleye, there is also excellent fishing for muskies, large and smallmouth bass, perch, crappies and sunfish.
Leech Lake is also a great destination for families and groups. People enjoy spending time along the sandy shores of the lake. There are all kinds of water sports that are popular on the lake including: water skiing and wakeboarding, knee boarding and tubing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, jet skiing, boating, paddle boarding, and much more. Along the shoreline people enjoy games of volleyball, shuffleboard, jumping on water trampolines, swimming, floating, and relaxing. The entertainment on the lake is truly unlimited!
Off the lake, many people enjoy hiking and biking the surrounding trails in the area. The Leech Lake area consists of trails along the Shingobee River Valley offering hikers a great 8 mile hike. The Heartland Trail is Minnesota’s oldest paved trail with miles of beautiful scenery. Lake Erin Interpretive Trail is a nice 5-mile hike around Lake Erin. Mi-Ge-Zi Trail is a pleasant paved trail, 4 miles long, great for both hiking and biking. It is located in the Chippewa National Forest and routes around Pike Bay and Cass Lake. The North Country National Scenic Trail cuts through the Chippewa National Forest and is part of the longest continuous footpath in North America! Oak Point Trail, Paul Bunyan State Recreational Trail, Shingobee Trail, and Stony Point Recreation Area Trail, are some of the other trails in the area. Near to the area is the world famous Itaska State Parks with its own trail system with trails leading over the Mississippi River and beyond!
In addition to all of the lake activities, hiking, and biking, many people are attracted to the Leech Lake area for the great selection of scenic golf courses of northern Minnesota. There are also a number of casinos in the area where people enjoy bingo, blackjack, poker machines, and much more! The area also offers adventure tours including sightseeing, community events, and resort visits. There are also a number of museums to explore in the area, wineries, and breweries.