Best Lakes in Northern Minnesota

Northern Minnesota is known for many things, not the least of which are the many pristine lakes that cover the landscape. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to decide which of them to enjoy.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best lakes in northern Minnesota, which also happen to be close to Rising Eagle Resort.

Jessie Lake

• Lake size: 1740 acres
• Max depth: 42 feet
• Average Depth: 22 ft

Jessie Lake is a long drainage lake that is known as being eutrophic. This said, the visibility of the waters varies drastically throughout the year, being as little as 3 ft to as deep as 23 ft. The lake experiences a seasonal algae bloom due to the high nutrient content in the water and along the shore.

This body of water offers a particularly tranquil experience. There typically isn’t much boat traffic, meaning that it isn’t uncommon to have the lake mostly to yourself, especially in the northern part of the lake. If you are looking for some good ol’ fashioned peace and quiet, Jessie Lake is the place to go. 

Visitors will find ample amounts of fishing opportunities here. Jessie Lake is home to a vast array of species, including:



• Bullhead
• Bluegill
• Bass
• Northern Pike
• Walleye
• Perch

However, even if you don’t plan on fishing, you’ll find there are plenty of other activities available. Birdwatching is popular, due to the large population of bald eagles and other birds of prey in the area. Canoeing and kayaking are also great options.

Bowstring Lake

• Lake Size: 9,528 acres
• Max Depth: 32 feet
• Average Depth: ~15 feet

One of the larger lakes nearby our resort, Bowstring Lake lies entirely within the Chippewa National Forest. Visitors will find dense thickets of trees along the 30 miles of shoreline, which make for some striking views during the autumn. While the visibility of the water varies greatly like Jessie Lake, the average depth of visibility is ~4.5 feet, as Bowstring is known for its darker waters.

This bodes well for angler’s however. Bowstring Lake is well known for the large walleye population it supports and the darker waters tend to allow walleye to remain more active throughout the middle of the day. The best time of year to fish for walleye is in the summer. The other major populations of fish here are northern pike, black crappies, and yellow perch. 

Being in the national forest, there are plenty of other activities around the lake as well. There are numerous hiking and biking trails around the lake, allowing for breathtaking views from great vantage points. You’ll have a good chance to see wildlife, such as white wolves or Canadian lynxes as well as numerous types of waterfowl due to the high amount of wetlands nearby.

Sand Lake

• Lake size: 3,575 acres
• Max Depth: 70 feet
• Average Depth: N/A

The deepest of the lakes on this list, the water temperature of Sand Lake in Minnesota is known to rise slowly, allowing for longer periods of fish activity as the population meanders from the deep to the shoreline. The water visibility tends to have higher amounts of clarity, with an average visibility of 10.7 feet.

When it comes to fishing, the most abundant species found here by far is Northern Pike.  This said, you can still find decent populations of walleye and crappie, as well as many of the other species found in the above mentioned lakes.

As far as other activities are concerned, there are a few easy to moderate hiking trails, as well as ample opportunities to look at wildlife. Visitors do find it refreshing during the summer to take a swim as well.

Recuperate at Rising Eagle Resort

At Rising Eagle Resort, we offer you a quiet, comfortable place among the lakes of Northern Minnesota to destress from your day-to-day life. Browse our listings and book today!