Itasca County and Chippewa National Forest Birding
Massive and ringed with extensive wetlands, this lake situated on the Mississippi River is not only the best birding lake in Itasca County, but one of the best in Minnesota. Winnibigoshish offers the possibility of finding any of the rare waterfowl, gulls, jaegers, or loons sometimes found on Lake Superior, especially during spring and fall migration. The more common waterfowl and Common Loons can be found in staggering numbers on Winnibigoshish. When water levels are low enough to expose sandbars, numerous shorebirds may turn up. The wetlands around the lake are good for herons and egrets, rails, and locally uncommon species such as Yellow-headed Blackbird. Don’t just scan the lake though; the woods around Winnibigoshish are great for migrant and breeding passerines. Northern Goshawks may be more abundant around Winnibigoshish than anywhere else in the state. Bald Eagles and Osprey are frequently seen nesting and hunting around the lake. Accesses and vantage points for this lake can be found under “Locations” on this site.
Blackwater Lake is the name of the wide area of Mississippi River where it passes through the Minnesota Power and Light plant in Cohasset. Here the water is heated so unlike nearly every other lake and river in Itasca County, it stays open year round. During most late winter/early spring periods in Itasca, Blackwater Lake is the only sizable open water in the county. Check here December through April for concentrated waterfowl and overwintering birds like kingfishers and herons. You can scan the water from the bridge just south of the SA station in Cohasset as well as from several streets in town. If there aren’t a lot of fishermen, you can check the boat ramp by MP&L (just follow the smokestacks) and walk along the fence that runs along the river until you get to the spillway where waterfowl often stay. I often find Northern Shrikes along the MP&L fence as well. If you can get the plant to let you through the gate, the ash ponds in back are good for waterfowl as well.
White Oak Lake is located in Zemple, just south of Deer River. The best way to access the lake is to take Cr 139 south (CR 139 is just east of Deer River) and follow it around the 90 degree bend to the east until you reach the White Oak access road. From the access, scan for waterfowl, shorebirds, eagles, and pelicans. Pelicans are often very abundant here all summer. White Oak offers the best birding during migration. There have been discussions of erecting a viewing platform at the access of this lake. If this happens (hopefully!), it would be one of the premier scanning locations in the area.
The access to Little White Oak is located on the west side of Itasca CR 11, 3.6 miles south of Hwy 2 between Cohasset and Deer River. To really get a look at the birds on this lake, you need to walk down the short ditchbank from the access. It’s fairly manageable, but you’ll want good footwear and dry conditions. From here, you should be able to find shorebirds and waterfowl in migration hanging out near the mudflats as well as wrens and sparrows in the sedge.
Morph Lake is the central feature of the Morph Meadows WMA. From intersection of CSAH 39 and Birchmont Beach Road, go 2.7 miles east on Birchmont Beach Road, then 6.2 miles south and east on USFS Road 2204, then 2.8 miles north on USFS Road 2671 (Third River Road) to entrance of WMA. Go 1.7 miles W to parking lot. From here, you can walk the access trail to the lake. This lake is good for migrating and breeding waterfowl as well as marshbirds. Sandhill Cranes and swans are frequently seen here.
Bowstring is one of the largest lakes in Itasca County and happens to be surrounded by sprawling wetlands. It is a stop for numerous migrating waterfowl and is large enough that it could likely be attractive to uncommon species like those possible on Winnibigoshish. Bowstring can be scanned from an access on CR 153, one on CR 146, and two off of CR 35—and with all of the wetlands surrounding the lake, keep your eyes open on the access roads for marsh and bog birds.
Dishpan Impoundment is part of the Dishpan WMA. From Dora Lake, go 2 miles northwest on CSAH 26, then 1.6 miles northwest on USFS Road 2240 (Lost Forty Loop Road). Two dams constructed on the creek have created large impoundments, one of which is 160 acres. There are over 800 acres of aspen upland forest, 660 acres of sedge meadows, lowland brush, shallow marsh, and a 27 acre conifer plantation. Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, and Black Terns are some of the more interesting wetland species found at this site.
While not technically a lake, the Mississippi River certainly offers excellent birding. There are numerous accesses, bridges, and parallel roads throughout Itasca County where you can view birds along the river. Grand Rapids and Cohasset offer several easily found trails and vantage points on the river. If you are feeling adventurous, I can attest from experience that a boat or canoe trip down the river will be productive nearly any time. Watch for migrating and wintering waterfowl, migrating passerines, Bald Eagles, shorebirds on exposed sandbars and mudflats, huge Bank Swallow colonies on the high cut banks (an uncommon Itasca bird), and just about anything else.
And, three lakes that look like great waterfowl lakes that I have little personal experience with….
Accesses off of CR 149 and CR 46.
Accesses off of CR 46 and FS 2429.
Accesses off of CR 39 and Hwy 2.