Cormorant Lake (Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cormorant Lake |
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| Big Cormorant Lake | |
 Cormorant Lake
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Becker County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46°44′30″N 96°06′14″W / 46.74167°N 96.10389°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary outflows | Spring Creek |
| Surface elevation | 1,158 feet (353 m) |
| Islands | 1 |
| Sections/sub-basins | Pikes Bay, Blue Water Bay, Glyndon Bay, Spring Creek Bay, Nelson Bay, Viking Bay |
| Settlements | Cormorant Village |
Cormorant Lake, also known as Big Cormorant Lake, is a cool place to visit in northwestern Minnesota. It's located in Becker County, Minnesota, about an hour's drive east of Fargo, North Dakota.
The lake got its name from a bird called the cormorant. Recently, tiny creatures called zebra mussels were found in the lake. These mussels can be a problem for the lake's environment and other nearby lakes.
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History of Cormorant Lake
Long ago, the land around Big Cormorant Lake was home to Native American tribes. These included the Chippewa (also known as Ojibwe) and the Sioux people. The name "Cormorant" actually comes from the original Ojibway name for the lake.
In 1872, the area officially became a township. It was named Cormorant Township, keeping the lake's special name.
Fun Things to Do at Cormorant Lake
Big Cormorant Lake is a great spot for lots of activities, especially during the summer!
You can find some fun restaurants around the lake. Places like Zorbaz, the Roadhouse, and Pitt 611 offer food and entertainment. There are also unique shops in Cormorant Village if you like to look for special items.
Many people enjoy being on the water. Popular activities include:
When the weather is warm, you can also try:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Wakesurfing
- Waterskiing
- Wakeboarding
- Standup paddleboarding
In the winter, when the lake freezes over, people love to go:
Cormorant Lake in the News
Cormorant Village became famous for something really unique! They elected a dog named Duke as their mayor. He was so popular that he was elected four times!
A popular YouTube channel called CBOYSTV also films some of their videos at Cormorant Lake. Their channel has over a million subscribers, so lots of people get to see the lake!
Mysteries and Legends
The area around Cormorant Lake has some interesting local legends.
One story tells of the Hairy Man of Vergas Trails. People say he is about 8 feet tall and lives in the woods near the Vergas Trails. Some even blame him for strange animal deaths. Many people claim to have seen this creature over the years!
Another legend is about the Wendigo. This is a scary creature that supposedly roams the thick forests. It is said to be very tall, sometimes up to 15 feet! Some stories say it is so thin you can barely see it from the side. This legend comes from old Native American tales.
What Fish Can You Catch?
Cormorant Lake is a great place for fishing! Here are some of the types of fish you might catch:
- Black Bullhead
- Black Crappie
- Bluegill
- Brown Bullhead
- Carp
- Green Sunfish
- Hybrid Sunfish
- Largemouth Bass
- Northern Pike
- Pumpkinseed
- Rock Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Walleye
- White Sucker
- Yellow Bullhead
- Yellow Perch
Invasive Species in the Lake
An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native to an area and can cause harm to the environment. Cormorant Lake has some of these.
One important invasive species found in the lake is the Zebra Mussel. These tiny mussels can attach to surfaces and cause problems for boats and the lake's ecosystem.
Other invasive species found here include:
- Eurasian Milfoil
- Spiny waterflea
- Starry Stonewort
It's important to learn about these species to help protect our lakes!
Images for kids
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An artist's idea of what a "Hairy Man" might look like.
