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Whitefish Lake, Minnesota, USA

Also known as:  Upper Whitefish Lake and Lower Whitefish Lake, Whitefish Chain of Lakes

The natural beauty of Whitefish Lake will leave visitors spellbound and ready to leave the cares of the world behind. Nestled in the Central Region of Minnesota, Whitefish Lake is part of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes which includes Upper Whitefish Lake, Lower Whitefish Lake, Big Trout Lake, Clamshell Lake, Hen Lake, Island Lake, Little Pine Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Bertha Lake, Cross Lake, Daggett Lake, Lower Hay…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Whitefish Lake! Article topics include:

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    • All About Whitefish Lake, MN

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Minnesota - Central Minnesota -

    The natural beauty of Whitefish Lake will leave visitors spellbound and ready to leave the cares of the world behind. Nestled in the Central Region of Minnesota, Whitefish Lake is part of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes which includes Upper Whitefish Lake, Lower Whitefish Lake, Big Trout Lake, Clamshell Lake, Hen Lake, Island Lake, Little Pine Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Bertha Lake, Cross Lake, Daggett Lake, Lower Hay Lake, Pig Lake, and Rush Lake. With 13,660 surface acres of water and 119 miles of combined shoreline, the Whitefish Chain is the largest chain of lakes in the Brainerd area, and it provides dozens of recreation activities which include boating, fishing, waterskiing, swimming, hiking and bird watching.

    The 14 lakes in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes are all natural lakes. In 1884, the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed a dam on the Pine River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. Before constructing the dam, Pine River was a creek connecting Cross Lake with Upper and Lower Whitefish Lakes. The Pine River Dam raised the water level, making channels between the lakes which aided logging operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Reconstruction of Pine River Dam took place between 1905 and 1907, and another major renovation took place from 1998-2003.

    Whitefish Lake has become a popular vacation destination. With the shoreline zoned for general development, lake resorts, restaurants, cabins, campsites as well as expensive lake homes line the shoreline. Lake access can be found on the east shore of Upper Whitefish Lake. However, lake visitors are not limited to Whitefish Lake for public access. Pig Lake, Clamshell Lake, Cross Lake, Big Trout Lake, and Lower Hay Lake have public access as well. A swimming beach with a picnicking and playground area can be found at the Cross Lake Recreation Area, also known as the Ronald Louis Cloutier Recreation Area. It is located on Cross Lake about 22 miles north of Brainerd. The Cross Lake Recreation Area also offers camping with electric and non-electric campsites.

    Another place of interest and intense beauty is Big Island, cradled in the waters of Upper Whitefish Lake. The Island is most noted for its 35+ acres of old-growth maple and basswood forest. The Island has been designated as a county Scientific and Natural Area to preserve its natural beauty. Although picnicking is not allowed in the forest, the Island also offers some sandy beach areas where picnicking and camping are allowed. An interpretive trail though the forest provides information to help visitors appreciate the natural beauty around them.

    Golfers can enjoy close to 25 golf courses within 30 miles of the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. For those who enjoy a good drive, the National Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway weaves its way around the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Nature lovers may enjoy a visit to the nearby Big Stone Wetland Management District which contains 3,000 acres and provides important habitat for waterfowl.

    Fishing is still an all-time favorite pastime at Whitefish Lake which specializes in northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegill. Other fish caught at Whitefish Lake are smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, and whitefish. In the winter when Whitefish Lake freezes over, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are popular sports.

    So whether visitors like to fish, camp, or just get away for a relaxing retreat, they will find what they are looking for at Whitefish Lake. With all the natural beauty that the Whitefish Chain of Lakes has to offer, it is no wonder that these lakes are becoming a very popular vacation destination.

    Things to Do at Whitefish Lake

    These are some activities in the Whitefish Lake, MN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Birding
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Whitefish Lake?

    Whitefish Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    • Whitefish
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    Find Places to Stay at Whitefish Lake

    If you’re considering a Whitefish Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Whitefish Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Whitefish Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Whitefish Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: US Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 7,370 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,253 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,253 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,254 feet

    Average Depth: 47 feet

    Maximum Depth: 140 feet

    Completion Year: 1884

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Whitefish Lake Map
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    Local Weather Forecast

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