DNR lake ID 15001600
Lake Itasca
Lake Itasca is the named DNR basin from which the Mississippi River begins its state water-trail journey.
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Northwest Minnesota · Mississippi headwaters
Clearwater County
Clearwater County begins with a water story unlike any other Minnesota county: Lake Itasca releases the first reach of the Mississippi River. Beyond the headwaters, small forest lakes, Bagley, Clearbrook and the White Earth State Forest create distinct bases for a trip built around verified water, public land and changing conditions.
Accessible orientation
Use the river, park and towns as anchors
Itasca State Park occupies the county’s southeast lake-and-river headwaters. Bagley is the county seat and a practical central reference point; Clearbrook anchors the north. White Earth State Forest extends across the southwest county line. Road, access and facility status can differ sharply between these areas.
- Southeast: orient around Lake Itasca, Elk Lake, Lake Ozawindib and the first Mississippi River segment.
- Central and north: use Bagley and Clearbrook to compare named lakes and verified public accesses.
- Southwest: check current White Earth State Forest boundaries, roads and permitted uses.
Canonical named-lake discovery
Four reviewed lake identities
This versioned starter catalog contains four verified named DNR basins. It is not a claim that Clearwater County has only four lakes. Unnamed records are excluded, and future cross-county relationships will point to one canonical lake page rather than create duplicates.
DNR lake ID 15001000
Elk Lake
Elk Lake is a DNR Sentinel Lake within Itasca State Park, studied for its watershed, habitat, fish community and climate sensitivity.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 15000500
Lake Ozawindib
Lake Ozawindib is a separate named DNR basin in Itasca State Park with an official aquatic-plant survey and public access.
Continue to the lake directoryDNR lake ID 15006800
Long Lost Lake
Long Lost Lake is a separate named Clearwater County DNR basin with an access recorded on the official county map.
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Lake science in the field
Elk Lake is a living research reference
The DNR identifies Elk Lake as basin 15-0010-00 and a Sentinel Lake. Agency research follows its watershed, aquatic habitat, fish community and sensitivity to climate change. Measurements describe dated monitoring—not guaranteed conditions for a visit—so consult the current record before fishing or launching.
Verified recreation pathways
Build a day around official places
Facilities, reservations, trail conditions, access status and event dates change. Use these verified relationships as starting points, then check the responsible agency’s current page.
Itasca State Park
The DNR park connects Lake Itasca, the Mississippi headwaters, camping and lodging, naturalist programs, hiking, bicycling and winter recreation. Confirm current facilities, permits and reservations.
Open official park detailsWhite Earth State Forest
The state forest crosses Clearwater, Mahnomen and Becker counties and includes motorized and nonmotorized routes, primitive camping and water access. Its lands are intermingled, so verify boundaries and current rules.
Check the state forestMississippi River Water Trail
The first official water-trail segment begins at Lake Itasca. DNR mapping warns of beaver dams, culverts, changing water levels and Class I reaches, so skill and conditions must shape the route.
Explore Minnesota rivers
Four-season planning
Let current conditions choose the itinerary
- Spring: check headwaters river levels, road surfaces and fishing-season closures.
- Summer: pair one named lake with a verified access, park trail or naturalist program.
- Fall: verify hunting seasons and visibility before entering state forest or park hunting areas.
- Winter: use park trail reports and never infer safe ice from weather or photographs.
