This Beautiful Minnesota Lake Was Ranked One Of The Cleanest In The US

As the negative effects of pollution become more pronounced all over the world, we do not just need to rethink our daily habits. Where we spend our leisure time needs more thought as well. Water quality is something to consider when planning lakeside retreats. There are even some fairly popular U.S. lakes that you may not want to swim in, like Lake Ontario and Florida's Lake Okeechobee. Thankfully, some safe bets are left to choose from. Lake Winnibigoshish in Minnesota is among the cleanest lakes in the U.S., which is no small achievement given that it has competition from the rest of Minnesota's over 10,000 lakes, not to mention the rest of the country.

The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) examined elements like sulfates, dissolved solids, pH levels, and other factors that contribute to water quality (via Lake.com). Lake Winnibigoshish had low amounts for these components, and the NWQMC gave it an overall pollution score of 2.2 out of 10. Compare this to Lake Okeechobee, which scored 10 out of 10, or Oklahoma's Eufaula Lake, 6.9 out of 10. However, there is more to Lake Winnie than its clean bill of health.

Lake Winnibigoshish is known for its world-renowned fishing. Walleyes thrive in the shallow parts of the lake and are easy to lure in with simple live-bait techniques. This makes fishing at Lake Winnibigoshish perfect for beginners. Other favorites among fishing enthusiasts here include northern pike, crappie, and bass. There are a handful of entertaining fishing events to look out for as well. The Minnesota Tournament Trail makes a stop at Lake Winnibigoshish, and the lake hosts its own Women on Winnie fishing competition. 

The huge Chippewa National Forest makes the scenery around Lake Winnibigoshish even better. Get immersed in the forest and enjoy views of the lake by following some of the area's hiking trails. Wildlife lovers should take the Cut Foot Sioux Trail. This 18-mile loop through the Chippewa National Forest often sees deer, black bears, and iconic bird species like bald eagles. You can easily find the trailhead by going to the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center. For something less strenuous, check out the Winnie Dam Trail. Although it is just 1.5 miles, it offers perfect lookout points over the lake.

Lake Winnibigoshish is around two hours northwest of Duluth and just under three hours northeast of Fargo, North Dakota. Despite the seemingly remote location, it is not difficult to access. U.S. Highway 2 (also known as U.S.-2) is a popular northern U.S. road trip route and runs right by Lake Winnibigoshish. As for lodging, there are 14 resorts to pick from around Lake Winnie. Many are perfect for families and offer the choice between cabins or campsites. What makes these resorts even better is that they often help you engage in quintessential lake activities. For example, Little Winnie Resort has motorized boats for rent, Eagle Nest Lodge has a schedule of activities for all ages and a lovely swimming area, and Nodak Lodge offers a full fishing and boat service.

The wide range of resort options does not mean that Lake Winnibigoshish lacks wide-open, untouched space. At close to 60,000 acres, Lake Winnibigoshish is the fourth-largest lake in Minnesota, and nearly all of the lake's shoreline remains undeveloped. Therefore, Lake Winnibigoshish offers next-level nature with the comfort of the perfect resort vacation.