Deer Lake (Itasca County, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deer Lake |
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 Deer Lake
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Itasca County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47°22′30″N 93°39′26″W / 47.3750°N 93.6571°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5 mi (8 km) |
| Max. width | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Surface area | 4,156 acres (17 km2) |
| Max. depth | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Shore length1 | 22 mi (35 km) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Deer Lake is a beautiful lake located in Itasca County, Minnesota. It's about 12 miles (19 km) north of Grand Rapids and 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Deer River. This large lake covers 4,156 acres (17 km2), stretching about 5 miles (8 km) long and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) wide. It's often called the "Lake of the Changing Colors" because its super clear water shows off amazing colors on sunny days.
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Discover Deer Lake!
Deer Lake gets its water from a few places. Rain helps fill it up, and so do special underwater springs. There is also one stream that flows in from Little Deer Lake. This lake is part of a group of very clean lakes. Its waters eventually flow into Bay Lake, which is the start of the Deer River. The Deer River then joins White Oak Lake, which is part of the huge Mississippi River. Other lakes like Otter, Moose, Little Moose, Fawn, and Cottonwood Lakes also add their water to Bay Lake.
Why is Deer Lake Called the "Lake of the Changing Colors"?
Deer Lake is known for its incredibly clear water. On sunny days, you can see many different colors in the lake. This clear water also helps boaters see hidden rocks just below the surface. These rocks are called "rockbars" and can be dangerous if you don't know where they are. Deer Lake is one of the clearest lakes in all of Minnesota. You can often see down about 16 feet (5 m) into the water!
Exploring Deer Lake's Islands
What makes Deer Lake truly special are its many interesting islands. One important island is Bear Island. In 1998, a group called the Deer Lake Association worked with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) to protect Bear Island. They wanted to keep it wild and natural. Even though you rarely see bears there, it's a great place to spot wildlife. There's an old eagle's nest in a big white pine tree, making it a popular spot for watching these amazing birds. Other cool islands include Battleship Island and Star Island, which is also known as Picnic Island. Many other islands don't have official names.
What Animals Live in Deer Lake?
Deer Lake is home to lots of different animals. The lake has a healthy population of fish, including several kinds of muskie, northern pike, walleye, perch, bluegills, sunfish, rock bass, crappie, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass. On the surface of the lake, you can often see happy loon families swimming around. Many different types of ducks also live here, along with the well-known Canada goose.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name "Deer Lake" comes from the native Ojibwe language. In Ojibwe, the lake is called Waawaashkeshiwi-zaaga'igan. This means "lake of the deer," which is how it got its English name.
