2022 Map of Bear Island

About this map

Superior National Forest encompasses this water-rich expanse of the Iron Range, where the settlement of Rothman sits near the southwestern shores of Bear Island Lake. The landscape is a complex network of glacial lakes and slow-moving water, featuring Mitchell Lake, Johnson Lake, and the winding Bear Island River. A notable industrial marker is found at Taconite, reflecting the regional mining legacy that shaped St. Louis County. In the south, the deep waters of Birch Lake and its North Bay provide a distinct contrast to the smaller, more isolated basins like Muckwa Lake and Whisper Lake. Local access is provided by several forest spurs and the Runn Road Association, which navigate the dense wetlands and ridges characteristic of this northern wilderness.