Minnesota

"Land of Lakes"

Minnesota gets its name from the indian word "minisota", which means "sky-tinted waters."

Minnesota License plates Boast the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" but actually it has nearly 12,000 counted lakes, as well as the Mississippi River start of its 2,552-mile journey south, from Lake Itasca. With more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. Minnesota truely is the "land of lakes".

Minnesota Water Quick Facts

Rivers and streams: 6,564 (92,000 miles).
Major rivers: Mississippi River, Minnesota River, Red River, St. Croix River.
Lakes (over 10 acres): 11,842 (4,967,510 acres). Common name note: 201 Mud Lakes, 154 Long Lakes, and 123 Rice Lakes. Largest Lakes: Lake Superior (north eastern border); Lake of the Woods (border with Canada); Red Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake.
Recreational boats per capita: one boat per every six people, more than any other state.
Fishing: 2.3 million people fish in Minnesota.
Minnesotans love fishing so much they even fish in the winter. Using heated "fish houses" ontop of frozen lakes, they cut a hole through the ice floor inside the house to drop their fishing lines. The most common gaming fish are walleye, northern pike, muskellunge (muskie), trout, bass, and sunfish. Personal tastebud favorite is northerners, but it's not so easy to bait those sly, slender fellas.

Tease yourself, glance at some of the lakes

Minnesota is home to approximately 550 pairs of the "Bald Eagle" (US national bird & an endangered species) and 12,000 Common Loons (Minnesota's State Bird) -- See Loons page about this quite interesting bird. Anglers Please behave responsibly by using non-lead sinkers and watch that no hooks or lines are left unattended or abandoned. Loons (and other birds) can die of lead poisoning after eating fish with lead sinkers. Unattended lines and hooks also cause injury and death. Boaters passing near shoreline areas, should travel at speeds that do not cause wash (Loons nests are at the shores edge).

Minnesota is also home to many white-tailed deer, moose, and black bear, as well as over 1,500 timberwolves (my next project).