Information on Trout Lake Trail

Trail Description:

Trout Lake SNA offers 6000 acres of forest with 26 miles of shoreline on 11 lakes. Ten miles of primitive roads and trails provide access for hunting, hiking, or skiing. There are a number of primitive campsites on Spider, Trout, and Wabana Lakes. The rolling terrain provides scenic views over area lakes wrapped with maple, aspen, birch and scattered pine in the Trout Lake SNA.

The most outstanding natural feature of the area is Trout Lake. This pristine lake has very little development and its clear waters shine a beautiful sky-tinted blue. Trout Lake is popular for fishing lake trout and splake, bass, northern and panfish. Spider Lake has very little development with several quiet bays and over two dozen primitive campsites. Spider Lake is an excellent lake for walleye, northern, bass, and panfish. Bee Cee and Moonshine Lakes are stream trout lakes; Day and Moore Lakes support bass and panfish.

Loons, herons, and beavers are frequently observed on these lakes. Black bear, fishers, and timberwolves have been observed in the area. Eagles and osprey nest in the vicinity and are occasionally sighted.

Hiking the Trout Lake Trail:

William T. Joyce first came to the area in the 1880's and started buying land and timber. The Trout Lake area was logged in the early 1900's, principally by the Itasca Lumber Company. The logs were floated out through the Trout-Wabana chain of lakes to the Prairie River and to the Mississippi River. Logging camps were located near Pug Hole Lake and Doan Lakes. Log dams were located on the northeast end of the Little Trout Lake and on Wabana Creek near Little Wabana Lake, and probably another small dam on McAlpine Brook. About 1918, David Joyce, heir to the Joyce family, surveyed the area around Trout Lake with the intention of building a hunting camp. A trail was constructed into the camp in 1924, but was passable only in dry weather. Thirty outbuildings, including a lodge, several cabins, and a teahouse, formed what the Joyce family called "Nopeming."

The estate operated as a plush private resort until the death of Mrs. Beatrice Joyce Kean. The heirs of the estate sold the property to the Nature Conservancy, and it was subsequently acquired by the Forest Service in November 1973.

All interior lakes, except Trout and Spider Lakes, and all roads, but FR 3494 into Moonshine Lake, are closed to motorized traffic. Foot travel is welcome throughout Trout Lake SNA.

Hiking, skiing, historic site

Specific Hiking and Trail Information for the Trout Lake Trail
Location of the Trout Lake Trail: 16 miles south of Marcell on County 335
Length of Trail: 2 - 5 miles

Travel Information
Trailhead Directions:

If you are looking for a quiet place, rich in scenery and history, Trout Lake Semiprimitive Nonmotorized Area (SNA) is the place for you. Entrance to the Trout Lake Tract is off Itasca County Road 335, one mile east of the intersection of County Road 60 and State Highway 38. This intersection is 13 miles north of Grand Rapids and 16 miles south of Marcell.

For more information on this hike
National Forest: Chippewa National Forest
Local Office: Chippewa National Forest
Address:
1037 Division Street, Box 308
Deer River, MN, 56636
218-246-2123

Attractions Near Trout Lake Trail