Lake Windigo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Windigo |
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 Lake Windigo
Location in Minnesota
Lake Windigo
Location in the United States
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| Location | on Star Island in Cass Lake, Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Beltrami County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47°25′07″N 94°34′13″W / 47.41861°N 94.57028°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 199 acres (81 ha) |
| Max. depth | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,302 ft (397 m) |
Lake Windigo is a small lake found on Star Island in northern Minnesota, United States. This lake covers about 199 acres (80 hectares) and is 15 feet (4.6 meters) deep at its deepest point. A large part of the lake, about 129 acres (52 hectares), is a "littoral zone." This means it's the shallow area near the shore where sunlight can reach the bottom.
Because it's not very deep, Lake Windigo has many plants and algae growing in it. This affects how clear the water is; you can usually see about 6 feet (1.8 meters) down. The lake is home to some northern pike and walleye fish, and lots of different kinds of panfish. To get to Lake Windigo, you need to take a short portage (carrying your boat over land) from Cass Lake on the north side of Star Island. It's easiest to explore the lake using a canoe, rowboat, or other small boat.
A Lake Within a Lake
Lake Windigo is special because it's located on Star Island, which is itself inside Cass Lake. This makes it a "lake within a lake." For a long time, people thought Lake Windigo was the only lake like this in the Northern Hemisphere. It was even featured on the TV show Ripley's Believe It or Not! However, there are a few other lakes like this. What makes Lake Windigo truly unique is that it's the only spring-fed lake located within a river-fed lake in the Northern Hemisphere. This means its water comes from underground springs, while Cass Lake gets its water from rivers.
The History of Star Island
Star Island, where Lake Windigo is found, has a rich history. The village of Ozaawindib was once located on the island. Ozaawindib was a guide for Henry Schoolcraft, who explored the area and found Lake Itasca. The Ojibwe people lived and thrived in this area for a long time before American and European settlers arrived.
In the early 1900s, some parts of Star Island were sold to private owners. However, most of the island became protected by the federal government as a national forest. It remains a national forest today, helping to preserve its natural beauty and history.
What's in a Name?
The name "Windigo" comes from the Wendigo or Windigo of Algonquin mythology. In these traditional stories, the Wendigo is a powerful and dangerous spirit. It was believed to be a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit that could possess people. This possession might inspire them to act like cannibals, especially during times of great hunger or famine.
Long ago, people sometimes performed special ceremonies related to the Wendigo. These ceremonies were often held during times of famine. They served as a reminder to the community to be careful and aware of the Wendigo spirits.
