This was the first major resivour built on the Mississippi River. The US Army Corps of Engineers report that this was built as a resource that would benefit the entire nation. Water relased from northern resivours would help making the shipping season more predicatable and much safer. Today, the dam is used to keep the lake at a constant levelof 1,297 feet above sea level. The shipping lanes are managed by downstream locks and dams, leaving the lake available for recreational purposes.
The lake is 67,000 acres, with about 140 miles of shoreline. Unlike lakes in the Brainerd Lakes area, Winnibigoshish remains mostly undeveloped. As the fifth largest lake in Minnesota, it is considered to be the crown jewel for fishing, and some of the best walleye fishing in the world. One key to the excellent fish habitat is that this lake is located on a major river, which keeps the lake flushed clean.
