Itasca County and Chippewa National Forest Birding
Bass Brook WMA is located between Grand Rapids and Cohasset on Hwy 2, 1.25 miles west of the intersection of CR 63 and Hwy 2. Park at Pokegama Dam Recreation Area on Hwy 2 at N 47* 15.056 W 93* 35.205 and walk across dam (easiest access) OR park on CR 63 at N 47* 14.579 W 93* 35.775 or N 47* 14.658 W 93* 35.909 and hike in on the trails.
This 300 acre wildlife management area is an excellent place to find migrating warblers in May. It is located along the Mississippi River and has a few miles of unmarked trails that are very easy to hike. The Bass Brook WMA includes several habitats—open marsh, riparian forest, young aspen, old oak-pine forest, black ash swamp, fir-spruce, and other components. The trails going either way from the dam that run along the river seem to be the most productive. During the winter, the gate at the dam may be locked. If this is the case you can only enter the WMA from CR 63.