Kayak and Canoe Quiet Waters - Mine Lakes

Kayak and canoe in our "Mini-Boundary Waters" like surroundings. There is no better place to frolic in the gin clear water. Don't forget the visibility in the mine lakes is nearly 40 feet! This makes Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area a unique piece of Minnesota - hosting some of the top scuba and snorkeling available anywhere in the midwest! Imagine paddling around these "swimmng pool" lakes. Camp along the shorelines and spend the weekend. Fish for trout and fry some up for dinner. Fish for other trophy fish as well - all in this unspoiled unique environment created by man and beautified by Mother Nature.

Enjoy River Floats by Yourself!
Mississippi River
The Mississippi is also awaiting your canoe or kayak. Check with local bait shops for river conditions and flow rates . The Mississippi River takes on a brown color once it reaches the Aitkin flats near Palisade, MN. The scenery is splendid and there are a number of campsites and accesses along the way. You can investigate the public areas on the maps listed below.
 
Big Pine River
When you are ready for a river, start with the Big Pine River north of Crosby. This is a gently shallow and very clear gem and the flow is subject to the discharge from the Crosslake Dam. There are a few riffles along this stretch which is ideal for beginners to intermediates and also perfect for inner tubes and other similar flotation. The clear water does harbor good fish populations but they are spooky, so approach holes and other holding water with care!
 
The Drake landing is located on County Road 11 west of State Hwy 6 about four miles. This is typically the take-out. From this access, there is about a mile of river down to the confluence with the Mississippi. This is a great area to wade and cast for smallmouth, walleyes, northerns, sunfish, and rock bass.

We put the "COUNTRY" back into fishing!
 
Stress Free Fishing
Just northeast of the main Brainerd Lakes Area you'll find the best kept fishing secret in Minnesota! You never dreamed you could find this kind of serenity - this close to Brainerd. We put the "country" back into fishing! Fishing is excellent for all species and is most famous for the mine-lake trout. (You must have a trout stamp for these mineland trout.)
 
Mine Lakes
Trout fishing slow? How about a 20 pound pike ? If the trout are not cooperating in the mine lakes...no problem, switch to another species. The mine lakes contain very large northern pike (that enjoy eating trout more than you do) and grow quickly on this high protein food source. Besides trout and northerns, the mine lakes contain both smallmouth and largemouth. You can try some "southern-style" sunken tree fishing as well as typical structure fishing for these hungry bass.

Imagine gliding over crystal clear waters with forty foot visibility. Take a break and go snorkeling or just jump in the clean unspoiled waters for a leisurely swim. If you really want even more solitude, check out our rivers! You probably won't see anything except deer, birds and other wildlife.

Natural Lakes
Are you tired of gonzo fishing amidst jet skiers, power boats and other "noise"? Isn't that what you came up here to avoid? The fishing is good and the solitude and relaxation is even better. This is stress-free fishing! Try one of the natural lakes in the area. Large pike, walleye, and largemouth bass are the main targets in the area. Don't be surprised if you stumble upon some slab crappies or big bluegills.
There are lots of small lakes if you want to explore and find your own secret "honey hole". Grab a map, find a back road, bring a small boat or canoe - and have at it! Please don't tell too many people if you find some big bluegills around here - we're trying to protect them. If your idea of the perfect fishing trip is plying small "out of the way" lakes with no competition - come to Cuyuna country. Oh yeah, did we mention the most underfished resource in the state? Here it comes...
 
Upper Mississippi River
The nearby Mississippi River has excellent populations of walleyes and smallmouth and are a prime target for summer float trips. The river channel is navigable under normal conditions with a small fishing boat and outboard. Others prefer to float it with a canoe. The Mississippi from Grand Rapids to Brainerd is possibly the most underfished water in the state of Minnesota! In Cuyuna country the stretch from Aitkin to Merrifield is both beautiful and rewarding. It is predominantly a walleye/smallmouth fishery. These fish will cooperate when the lake fish have shut down for one of several convenient reasons.

Speaking of float trips! Leave the rods in the car and grab an inner tube or rubber raft for lazy trip down the Pine River. The Pine is clear and sandy, just perfect for floating be it fishing or just fun. Check with local bait shops for launch locations and trip times. You can rent tubes at the Riverside Inn in Crosslake for a short trip with shuttle service.