1965 Map of Bear Island

About this map

Superior National Forest and Beaver State Forest dominate this stretch of the Minnesota Northwoods, where a labyrinth of glacial lakes and connected waterways defines the terrain. The sprawling Bear Island Lake sits at the heart of the area, featuring the prominent Bear Island and a complex shoreline of points and bays, including Log Bay. The map provides specific depth curves and soundings for these waters, which were compiled from Minnesota Department of Conservation charts. Settlement is sparse in this heavily forested region, with the small locale of Rothman appearing near the southwest corner. The landscape is characterized by a high density of water bodies, from the larger Birch Lake and Mitchell Lake to smaller basins like Canary Lake and Whisper Lake, all linked by drainages such as Johnson Creek and Longstorff Creek.