A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE CLOQUET RIVER

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b C nbn George r Indian 44 Lake SUPERIORSUPERIOSUPE R HarrisHarris N NATIONALATIONALLHor Creek FOREST Route Description of the Cloquet River LakeLake RiverRive 547

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OUIS CO Woodcock NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river d efacface Lake Indian Lake Access 42.5 Enter Alden Lake. Paddle south, west, 17.9 Abandoned railroad bed. RoadRoa Wolf Lake WhiteWhit when facing downstream. Railroad and south again to enter river again. 17.3 (L) Old Mule watercraft campsite. 547 Trestle y r 42.1-42.6 Class I rapids, no established portage. 16.6 (R) Three Island watercraft campsite. Lake r Forest Be Branch 75 The Cloquet River flows from Katherine Lake in central 40.1 (R) Dirty Nose watercraft campsite. 15.9-15.3 Class I rapids. e 547547 70 Lake County to its confluence with the St. Louis River. 38.5-38.4 McCabe’s Rapids, Class II. Portage left 13.4 Power line crossing. StatState 55 The uppermost 32 miles (from Katherine Lake to Indian 547 Rollins 100 yds. Rapids consists of three ledges, 11.9-9.4 Series of Class I rapids. South Loop reek Cloquet C Lake) are not regarded as canoeable because it is steep, each about two feet high with offset chutes. 11.0 (R) Confluence with Chicken Creek. CreekC 4 Road Access reek River h r. Branch 14 dangerous, and rarely has enough flow for feasible 37.3 The historic Vermilion Trail, the first road 10.7 Power line crossing. SouthSout C r Northeastr.r. TTowerowe C WalesWales paddling. to the Iron Range, crossed the river here. 10.4 (R) Confluece with Hellwig Creek. Lahti Pine yan st Camp G RyanR SullivanSullivan e Thomasomas 37.0 (R) White Sides Rapids, a difficult Class II. 10.2 US Highway 53 bridges. A rest area with W LakeLake Portage left Little Lake AAmerican II 611 Stone The first good access to the river is at Indian Lake Steep and long, it has standing waves and toilets on river right, between bridges. Lake 330 yards 65 Lake Campground near Rollins. From there the river flows boulders. Portage right 280 yrds. 10.2 (R) Carry in access. Holmsey Lake CrCr 547547 southwest through remote territory. reek 35.0 Power (S) Landing And C 44 idge Bear Lake Road James Stone rest area. At the end of White Sides Rapids, Highway 53 to St. Louis River CoolidgeCool Lake Lake Highland 14 Indian Lake to Island Lake the Cloquet River enters Island Lake Civet White Coyote LakLake DentDent Lake Reservoir. A 15-foot cascade forms at the Character: Also a scenic stretch with good fishing. Class LakeLake State HighlandHighland ForestF Road C LLongong reek LittleLitt Character: A variety of rapids makes the paddling in this Bear LLakeake le rryrry r river mouth when the lake level is low. I-II rapids become numerous close to the St. Louis River. Marshall Lake Brown GoosebeGoosebe RiverRive CloquetCloquet Lake TwinTwin remote stretch interesting. Scout carefully. Length: 11 miles. LaLakes kes eek Moose Length: The 35-mile trip includes 1.5 miles across Island Average run time: 5 hours. CreekCr 60 Bear Lake Lake 4 Road Access Lake to the take out. From the mouth of the river, paddle 1.5 Class: Class I with a Class II stretch near the St. Louis King Lake StewartStewart Buzz LakeLake Average run time: Two days. miles across Island Lake to the Minnesota River. Lake HulliganHulligan RIVER Valley Class: Approximately 10 Class I-II rapids. LakeLake Lake quaywam Power Hide-away boat landing on the north Optimal Flow: Above 1.4 at US 53. Pe Optimal Flow: Above 3.5 at CR 44. shore, or continue west across lake, passing Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Dry Foot Brown’s 131131 StewarStew Bug PitPit Portage right e Lak a LakeLake r Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert. Beginners should II t under CR 4 to dam. Portage around dam. Access: North on US 53 from Duluth, parking in Rest Area 400 yards Loaine RuthRuth Valley I Buzz Ryan’s Lake Ace Lake portage some rapids. at the intersection of US 53 and MN 33. SawmillSawmill Marion Portage left LakeLake Lake Hazards: A waterfall exists at the entrance to Island Lake 33.5 Rest area. Lake Masse Quick II 165 yards during low water. Portaging is recommended. RIVER MILE Lake 55 Dana’s Smith Jokerker reek Lake Access: North on CR 44 from Rollins to access on Indian Island Lake Dam to Highway 53 9.0 Class I rapids. CrC Portage left Lake Cr. 266 . 200 yards Cr.Cr Lake. 7.7-7.0 Class I rapids. RushRush LakeLake Character: Scenic country with good fishing for walleye, 7.0 CR 8 bridge. 44 Ri r v . ere r Mud r RIVER MILE smallmouth bass, and some brown trout. 6.8 (L) Confluence with Chalberg Creek. C 131131 Schaeffer 71.8 Entrance to upper river at Indian Lake; Length: 29 miles. 5.2 (L) Confluence with Beartrap Creek. BoulderBoulde LOQUET C State Lake water access, rest area, 25 site campground and y Average run time: 10 -15 hours. 4.8 CR 7 bridge and carry in access (L). River drinking water. Class: Class I. 4.2-1.0 Class I rapids. LoLorenren Humpre 50 LakeLake 71.1 Railroad trestle. Optimal Flow: Above 1.4 at US 53. 4.2 Railroad trestle, CR 694 bridge. Dr. Barney’s Bear 69.8 Carry in access, limited parking, no facilities, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. 3.2 Power line crossing. Portage left Lake 302 Cloquet or right mimimum maintenance road. 1.0-0.0 4 River S et Access: North on CR 4 from Duluth, then west on CR 48 Class II rapids. River falls 20 feet in final I-II 1390 yards 132132 65.6 (L) Sharp right turn and a plunge down Camp G Cloqu to access road that leads to Island Lake Dam. mile to its confluence with the St. Louis Mouse Forest Rosalyn 4949 State Road Kelly Rapids, a Class II drop. Run it toward the left or River. The nearest takeout is below the Lake W ForestF est choose the 330 yrd. portage on the left. Carrol Little RIVER MILE Highway 2 bridge one mile from the mouth of the 131131 61.7 (R) Watercraft campsite. 33.4 (L) Water access, Island Lake Reservoir. Cloquet, on river left. Class I - II Rapids just Lieung TTwinwin 44 61.5 (L) Bear Lake Road water access and watercraft Lake r. 33.0 (L) Abbot Road (E) access. downstream from mouth of Cloquet. C M LLakesakes cC Thompson 266 a 124124 r campsite. 30-31 and 32.5 Several watercraft campsites. Lake th Esswhtarwhtar y Li

Lakeke t 56.9 (L) Buzz Ryan Rapids, a Class I. Avoid the 45 tlet 28.7 (L) Island Lake Dam Site water access. le ophy C rophyr rr.. ledge on left, 165 yrd. portage on left. 28.6 (L) Island Lake Dam, portage left. Rest area and carry Cedar Rapids B PPaarad radiseise LLakeake Portage left Branch 56.6 (R) Dry Foot Brown’s Rapids, a Class II rapids, in access. Portage 300 yds. River II Little 880 yards Briar portage 400 yds. on right. 28.5 Class I rapids. Lake 12 k 56.5 Bridge. 27.4 CR 48 bridge. 274 Creek Knife StewaStewart Boulder Little Spring Lake 56.2 (L) Watercraft campsite. 26.2 (L) Beaverhouse watercraft campsite. Alden Alden Lake RiverRive 122122 Lake r 56-55.8 Dana’s Rapids, a steep, bouldery, Class 25.7 (L) Salt Lick watercraft campsite. Lake Trail 4 Barrs Ri II rapids. Portage 200 yds. on left. verve 23.6 (R) Inlet to Hunter Lake. Dirty I Lake 48.4-48.1 Dr. Barney’s Rapids, Class I-II, a long 22.6 (L) Twin Pines watercraft campsite. Minnesota Power Nose 12 r Boulder Lake Reservoir (N) 302 series of boulders. Portage is 1386 yds. 21.8 (R) Pincherry watercraft campsite Access White Sides KnifeKni Straight 266 266 fe 122122 on left or right. Portage right Lake 21.4 (R) Side Lake. 40 er Island 280 yards 48.3 (R) Cloquet River (S) water access and watercraft 21.0 (L) Confluence with Beaver River. SuckeSuck TwoTwow Lake StateState 1111 campsite. 20.5 (L) Bachelor Road water access. 266 HarborsHarborborsb s 35 II-III II-III 44 C 48.2 (L) Rosalyn Kelly watercraft campsite 20.4 Railroad trestle. a

McCabe’s p JacobsonJaco Ka ta bson 46.2 Confluence with the Little Cloquet River. 19.7 County Road 15 bridge. Portage left Big in 4141 1010 C 100 yards reek

44.4-44 Cedar Rapids, Class II, run the ledge on 18.5 (L) M.C.C.watercraft campsite. Wan- Reservoir RiverRiver the far right. Many boulders. Portage 18.0 (R) Confluence with Us-Kab-Wan-Ka River. Island Kab- 4242 9

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left, 880 yds. 18-17.6 T

Class I rapids. No established portage. LAKLAKE CO Us- .

Abbot Road L Lake Stanley OUIOUIS CO 6161 Access (E) Jacobs Island Lake Dam E Lake er 30 Shore S reek 223 Portage left 300 yds. CO AeA rie C RiverRiv 47 Hellwig 40 CO L Bergen Lake 4 PPrositrosit 734 Schultz Taft 48 Lake Horseshoe C reek Chicken La ke 4242 7 Lost I Island Lake Artichoke Three Old 220220 53 Lake 25 Dam 40 LarsmontLa Lake Island Mule Flowage 44 44 LaLake Cr. Hunter Lake 102102 I Lake 48 166166 Cr Spring L fe Pincherry 43 Sunshine ittleittle 47 eek Salt Fredenberg 34 KnifeKni Scheilin Lick Lake Cameron 37 AlboAlAlborn Lake 15 40 Powerline Lake th I Side 43 Kni 61 Twin Beaverhouse fefe I MCC Lake Independence Pines NorthNor 15 EaEaglegle 47 Third Railroad 675675 Hwy 53 Wayside 20 Be River LakeLake Rest Access Lake Trestle aver Fish Lake 10 (N) Access KnifeKnife Powerline RIVER 43 40 RiverRiver Bachelor Rd. I Rive T Access Big r E LesterLester 43 570 U Q Creek Fish Lake Suck 868 LO Fish Lake 4242 C (S) Access Reservoir 43 43 F er rreench C 7 reek livan Beav 4 C berg 36 43 r. Carry-in Access Sul er Chal 48 RiveRiver 818818 1212 I r PalmersPalalmersalm 8 River 35 R 35 Water Access Culver 8 94 i RiverRive 50 8 v 692692 e r r 61 31 33 3737 6161 Campground 694 Beaver 33 Lake Bartlett

Artichoke Long L. Watercraft Campsite 5 Sunset WWildild Rice 34 293293 Lake 53 FFrenchrench Rest Area Burnett LLakeake 7 RRiveriver Harnell 7 Park TwigTwig ResReservoir Powerline 1515 36 1010 Drinking Water I Hwy 7 1010 Moose CliftonClifton 6969 ArnoldArnold 692 Dam 31 694 MouMountainntain TwigTwigwi r ere SS.N.A..N.A. GrandGrand StationStationn 4 Riv River Mile ST. LakeLake 9898 1212 S U P E R I O R 856 L Beartrap MudMud L. OU Cr Lake 9 LakewoodLakewood IS eek 9 15 II Grand Lake Rapids r Brookston e SaginawSaginaw st er e 874 FourFourr eek RiverRiv 3737 reekr River CornersCoC rnersn 48 C

2 W State Designated Units k Amitymit oo y Br Br. n J 194194 ti Hwy 2 Access o 2 E. L A K E r 855 h Tribal Trust Land a n 194194 Ch M so n e toney s e S For complete details and a map 53 te Jo r 34 R C IV for the St. Louis River, contact rreekeek Fond du Lac E the DNR Information Center ine 31 R 33 P Indian 1313 012345Miles 80 32 II-IIIII-III HoHorseshoerseshoe NORTH h Sloughlou Reservation 10 Dutchtc gh 2 LLakeake DuluthDuluth 9898 48 4 012345Kilometers

© 2014 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE CLOQUET RIVER LOQUET WATER RIVER TRAIL C A STATE Guide “...in that moment when you ease the canoe from the bank into the current, you sense you are a part of something very old and precious. It is a moment that should be guarded jealously and handed down with care.” John C. Sawhill

Minnesota State Parks and Trails mndnr.gov/watertrails LYNELLE HANSON

Because of the forests and remoteness of the Cloquet • Protect the water and shorelands. Remember that CLASS V: Long, violent The Cloquet River St. Louis River Management Plan Jack-in-the-Pulpit flower: HEATHER ERICKSON The Cloquet River is part of the St. Louis River River, paddlers might see beaver, timber wolves, some of the shorelands are privately owned. rapids with compex routes International Management Plan. The plan is a citizen-led bobcats, black bears, moose, otters, fishers, and steep drops or Falls CANADA initiative of cooperation among local governments white-tailed deer, great blue herons and osprey; as • Travel with a companion or group. Plan the trip with waterfalls. Hazards to life well as other smaller birds and animals. a map before departing and advise someone of the in the event of mishap. Rainy and agencies with the goal to protect the river 71 Lake system’s natural beauty, environment and plans, including departure and arrival times. Runnable only by experts

Little Fork River cleanliness by managing the area’s development, Recreation in decked boats. 53 land management, and recreation. • Most people paddle two to three river miles per CLASS VI: Cannot be Vermilion Lake Grand The plan calls for a healthy forest composed of Public ownership provides paddlers with excellent hour. attempted without great Marais 1 Ely diverse, native plants. Preferred are forests of oppotunities to enjoy this river. The riverbanks risk to life. 1 long-lived conifers and hardwoods. The plan does provide good berry picking, camping, hunting and • Bring a first-aid kit that includes waterproof not allow motorized trails on the riverbank, nor fishing. Parts of the river matches. Boating 61 Mississippi 169 structures in the riparian zone (an area 200 feet provide safe recreation Information for all ages, and true • Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal St. Louis River53 Two inland from the riverbank.) Grand Harbors wilderness experience flotation device, which state law requires to be on Register watercraft. All watercraft more than 9 feet

DEBORAH ROSE This is a minimal impact zone. Livestock are not Rapids 2 Cloquet River

River allowed in the river. awaits. board the craft. in length, including nonmotorized canoes and The Cloquet River is a major tributary in the St. kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or state of Duluth W Louis River watershed. It is wonderfully wild, with Fishing Along with the pleasures • Bring an extra paddle. residence. I nearly unbroken forested banks. Red and white of recreation, there are S Aitkin 23 the responsibilities of • Beware pf river obstructions, such as overhanging Not all portions of this water trail are suitable for 61 C pines, fir, spruce, aspen and birch make up the The Cloquet River has a diverse and excellent fish Mille O forests of the Cloquet Valley. Most of the river has population. Northern pike, walleye and brook trout caring for the river so and dead trees in the river. motor use. Lacs 35 N Lake S been designated as primitive/remote. The Upper are abundant between Indian Lake and Island Lake. that it will be protected I N Cloquet above Island Lake Reservoir is managed to Smallmouth bass are plentiful below Island Lake. for years to come. The Rating White Water Rest Areas and Camping Sites maintain and protect the semi-primitive recreation The DNR and the Fond du Lac Band are also St. Louis River The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources experience currently available there. working to reestablish the once thriving sturgeon Manage-ment Plan, Rivers and rapids are rated accoding to the • Public rest areas and campsites are available along is an Equal Opportunity Employer. population in the St. Louis watershed. If you catch developed by the St. International Scale of River Difficulty. Ratings are the route to rest, picnic and explore. History one of these ancient fish, you are required to return Louis River Board, estimates based on observations at low or moderate it to the water immediately. DEBORAH ROSE demonstrates an obligation and responibility to all water levels or on secondhand reports. The following • Designated campsites are available on a organisms important to the river ecosystem. three classes are found on the Cloquet River. first-come, first-served basis. This information is available in alternative The streams and rivers of northern Minnesota are format upon request. the result of glacial activity thousands of years ago. Because the river system has an excellent fish Because northern Minnesota rivers flow through population, it is necessary to know the health Planning a Safe River Trip • Bring drinking water. It is only available at a bog areas, the water is often coffee-colored. This hazards of eating these fish. Mercury contamination limited number of sites. Drinking river water is not comes from the tannic acid in the bog plants. is a problem for the entire watershed. Keep the A successful river trip is a safe river trip. To enjoy the recom-mended; but if you do it must be treated. Minnesota State Parks and Trails smaller fish for eating and release the larger, older journey, acquaint yourself with the route. Choose a Regional Unit During the past century, human activities such as fish that may contain a higher concentration of distance that is comfortable. Water levels can speed • Respect private property. Stop only at designated 1201 East Highway 2 logging and farming have caused changes to our contamination. Women of child-bearing age and up or slow down a trip. sites or known public lands; much of the shoreland Grand Rapids, MN 55744 waterways. Other human impacts are population children should strictly adhere to guidelines set by is private property. (218) 999-7920 growth, habitat fragmentation, introduction of the Minnesota Department of Health. Complete Because of the many steep, rocky stretches and small non-native species, commercial and industrial use, information is available by calling 651-215-5800. watershed area, medium to heavy stream flow are • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury Online water trail information and maps can be and air and water pollution–all of which endanger preferable for an enjoyable run. Stream flow is human waste away from the river. found at mndnr.gov/watertrails native species. Wildlife usually high during spring runoff and will usually fall throughout the summer. However, the river above HANSON LYNELLE • Pack out all trash. DNR Information Center Since the receding of the glaciers more than 10,000 The Cloquet River watershed is home to three Island Lake can rise quickly after heavy rains and can The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free years ago, humans have lived in and used the species of turtles: painted, snapping and the rare take 3 to 7 days to fall to normal flows. CLASS I: Easy rapids with small waves and few • Leave only footprints; take only photographs! publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota. natural resources of the Cloquet River Valley. wood turtle. Crucial for the survival of turtles is a obstructions. Artifacts of the Paleo-Indians have been collected safe nesting place. These species require a sandy, In the upper river, above Island Lake, the river’s CLASS II: Rapids with waves up to three feet high. Sustainable Ecosystems The DNR Information Center and extensively studied. Thousands of pieces of sun-warmed bank or sand bar elevated above water. rapids may be runnable only after heavy rains. In the Some maneuvering is required. 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 stone, pottery and even some copper tools have been lower river, the river level depends on releases from CLASS III: Difficult rapids with high, irregular waves Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy and 651-296-6157 Metro Area 1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free preserved at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Although these areas appear ideal for picnics, the Island Lake Dam. Minnesota Power is required to capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow chutes attractive natural environment. Sustainable outdoor damage could occur to the eggs and hatchlings if the provide a minimum flow, if available, of 350 cubic may require extensive maneuvering. Usually recreation enables people to enjoy the outdoors mndnr.gov The river was very important to the logging nests are trampled on. The most important thing to feet per second in May and June, which provides considered the limit for an experienced paddler in an without negative impacts on the environment. industry. It provided transportation for logs remember about good canoeing. During the rest of the summer, only open canoe. Communities working together can improve water upstream to the lumber mills in Cloquet. The turtles, and 175 CFS is provided if it is available. This is enough resources by promoting environmentally sensitive You can make a difference by joining the DNR Adopt-a-River Program. Be a clean up volunteer logging era lasted from 1878, when the first sawmill other wildlife, is to float down the rapids with some scraping and * The following three classes are not found on the land-use practices along rivers and throughout for a portion of your favorite recreation area. Call was built at Cloquet, until 1924, the year of the last to leave them might involve some river walking. To get information Cloquet River, they are here for your reference. watersheds. Natural shoreline buffers improve water the DNR Information Center for a brochure. drive on the Cloquet and St. Louis rivers. alone in their about water levels, call Minnesota Power at quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments. natural habitat. 1-800-582-8529 for a recording of water levels or CLASS IV: Long, turbulent rapids with small high, Healthy and diverse native shoreline plant Acknowledgements: Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, St. contact the regional DNR office, DNR website, or irregular waves, constricted passages, and blind drops. communities are attractive and provide important Louis River Board, St. Louis River Citizens Action Commitee, Special thanks to: Len Anderson, Katharine Johnson DNR Information Center (see cover flap for Decked canoes and kayaks only; open canoes should habitat for birds and wildlife. Snapping Turtle:SHARON numbers and more information). be portaged. Cover photo by MN DNR © 2014 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources