Press Kit

Looking for some general information on the Park Rapids Lakes Area? Look no further! If you have more specific questions or needs, please contact Katie Magozzi, Executive Director, by e-mail at katie@parkrapids.com or phone at (218)732-4111.

Park Rapids Visitors
Fishing
Hunting
Recreation
Attractions

At A Glance - Park Rapids Lakes Area

Location
The "Park Rapids Lakes Area" is loosely defined as extending south from Park Rapids to Sebeka, north to Lake George, west to Snellman and east to include Akeley.

It includes all of Hubbard County as well as parts of Becker and Wadena counties.

Hubbard is the most populated county and the center of commerce for the Park Rapids Lakes Area.

Park Rapids is the largest city in the Park Rapids Lakes Area.

Park Rapids is approximately 200 miles northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul, 135 miles west of Duluth and 85 miles east of Fargo.

Demographics
The Park Rapids Lakes Area's population is approximately 30,000, according to 2005 U.S. Census estimates. This is a 26 percent increase over 1990 Census data.

The year-round population of Hubbard County is about 20,000 people; the 30-mile trade area population is about 30,000 people.

We estimate that during the main summer season - June through late August - the population in our area doubles. During the week before July 4th, we estimate the population triples.

Hubbard County residents' average commute time to work is 20 minutes. 6.1 percent of residents work at home.

The median age in Hubbard County is 41.8.

The median household income in Hubbard County is $35,000.

Climate
The average annual snowfall in the area is 52 inches.

The average daily temperature in January is 5 degrees; the average in July is 69 degrees.

Economics
Major employers in Hubbard County include:

Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen – 500 employees
St. Joseph's Area Health Services – 370 employees
Wal-Mart Supercenter – 313 employees
Park Rapids Area Schools – 250 employees
J&B Foods – 145 employees
North Star Orthodontics – 120 employees

Tourism creates more than 5,300 jobs and has a total economic output of nearly $30 million in Hubbard County, according to the Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Geography
Park Rapids is the city nearest the Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park.

Approximately 400 lakes are within 25 miles of Park Rapids.

The Fish Hook River runs through the middle of Park Rapids.

The city of Park Rapids is 1,443 feet above sea level.

Fishing Facts

The Park Rapids Lakes Area is a top fishing destination in Minnesota. With 400 pristine lakes within a 25-mile radius, you can catch a wide variety of species – everything from panfish to muskies to trout.

The lakes area also has a rich fishing history and is home to a number of professional guides.

The Lakes
The Park Rapids Lakes Area's lakes, rivers and streams feature excellent structure and habitat for many species of fish. Some highlights:

Most of the area's larger lakes promise success in fishing for walleye and northern.
The Straight River, running 15 river miles between the dam at Straight Lake and the river's confluence with the Fish Hook River, is one of the premier brown trout streams in the state. Trout Unlimited promotes catch and release so trophy-size fish can continue to thrive in the river.
Blacksmith, Crappie and Newman Lakes are designated trout lakes, offering rainbow trout.
Muskies can be caught in Bad Axe, Big Mantrap, Upper and Lower Bottle and Stocking Lakes.
Anglers seeking smallmouth bass will find them in Big Sand, Big Mantrap, Belle Taine and Little Sand. Area lakes also hold largemouth and rock bass.
The five largest lakes in the area are Potato (2,054 acres), Long (1,935 acres), Many Point (1,737 acres), Big Mantrap (1,770 acres) and Toad (1,716 acres).?????????????????? ?

The Species
The lakes, rivers and streams in the area feature just about every species of game fish in Minnesota.

Walleye
Northern Pike
Crappie
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Sunfish
Muskie
Trout

Ice Fishing
The Park Rapids Lakes Area is a very popular area for ice fishing but it's the most popular ice fishing location the first Saturday in February when the Park Rapids American Legion hosts the Community Fishing Contest on Fish Hook Lake. The event draws thousands of anglers to the ice and offers more than $100,000 in prizes. Information on the contest can be found at www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com.

Fishing Information
For more information on equipment guides, maps, regulations and a weekly fishing report, go to Fishing.

Hunting

Game Species of the Park Rapids Lakes Area
The Park Rapids Lakes Area features habitat that supports many popular game species.

The mixed hardwood and conifer forests are home to ruffed grouse, wild turkey, rabbit, bear and white-tail deer, while expansive wetlands provide excellent habitat for ducks and geese.

Deer
The mixture of lowlands, tree-covered ridges and agricultural fields in the area create an excellent deer hunting environment.

Record harvests in recent years are due to a combination of relatively mild winters and ever improving food sources.
Deer can be taken during archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons.

Waterfowl
With more than 400 lakes and countless wetlands, the Parks Rapids Lakes Area has excellent waterfowl habitat, attracting hunters from all over the country.

This area attracts early-season wood ducks, blue-winged teal and Canada geese, as well as migrating mallards and diving ducks. Late-season ducks include ring-necked ducks, bluebills, redheads and the occasional canvasback.

General Hunting Regulations and Licenses
A Minnesota hunting license is required; they're available at many retail outlets. Bag limits and harvest methods are regulated.

Public Hunting Lands
Thousands of acres of excellent wildlife habitat are available for public hunting in the Park Rapids Lakes Area. Some county and state lands are managed for optimum production of game species.

State and county agencies publish guides that identify public land for hunting. Online resources are also available. For more information, go to Hunting.

Trails

The Park Rapids Lakes Area has countless miles of multi-use, year-round scenic trails for visitors to enjoy. Whether you're a cross-country skier, a snowmobiler, bike rider, hiker, in-line skater, ATVer, birder, jogger or walker, you can enjoy trails that wind around our lakes, rivers and streams, and sneak through our evergreen and deciduous forests. Along the way, you'll see your share of wildlife and breathtaking beauty. For more information on the area's trails as well as golfing, canoeing and other recreational opportunities, go to Recreation.

Heartland Trail
Heartland State Trail, the 49-mile multiple use, paved trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake, was one of the first rail-to-trail projects in the country, an asphalt ribbon laid on a level abandoned railroad grade. Trail users pass numerous lakes, rivers and streams. The trail skirts northern hardwood forests and stands of jack, red and white pine, as well as spruce firs. The occasional majestic white pine towers overhead and wildflowers color the trail sides. Riders and hikers may see whitetail deer, raccoon, red fox, porcupine, beaver and muskrat and lucky ones may spot coyote, weasel, mink, bobcat or black bear. Many varieties of birds can be seen along the trail including the bald eagle. Along the 27 miles between Park Rapids and Walker, there is a second grassy treadway for horseback riding and mountain biking. Trail side parks are located at Park Rapids, Dorset, Nevis, Akeley and Walker. For more information see: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.html

Snowmobile Trails
Under a blanket of snow, the north woods become the land of unexplored adventures. More than 1,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails connect with one another taking riders into dense forests and through scenic vistas. Many of the area's forest and lake trails connect directly to restaurants, gas stations and lodging. Trail conditions are updated weekly at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.

Attractions

The Park Rapids Lakes Area is a destination for visitors attracted to wilderness areas whether you are seeking adventure or a totally safe experience. The Shingobee Recreation Area, a part of the Chippewa National Forest, lies to the east with a well-marked hiking trail and a taste of this vast natural resource. West of Park Rapids, the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge offers a change of scenery with a range of activities from self-guided auto tours to nature programs. Five state forests surround the area offering recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing and camping. Remember to bring your binoculars and a camera. For more information on the area's parks, forests and other diverse attractions, go to attractions.

Walking across the Mississippi River Headwaters—
Itasca State Park
Join in the historic tradition of stepping across trickling waters right at the spot where the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Mississippi River is one of the world's major river systems in size, habitat diversity and biological productivity. It is the longest and largest river in North America with the source at the north end of Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park in the Minnesota north woods. "Mississippi" is an Anishinabe (Chippewa) Indian word meaning "great river or gathering of waters." Of the world's rivers, the Mississippi ranks fourth in length, third in watershed area and fifth in average discharge.

Fun Mississippi River Facts

The river begins 1,475 feet above sea level.
The Mississippi River passes through 10 states. Do you know which ones? From north to south: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Only the Nile, Amazon and Yangtze Rivers are longer than the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River drains approximately 40 percent of the continental United States, all or part of 31 states.
The total drainage area of the Mississippi River is approximately 1.25 million square miles.
The Mississippi River releases 2.3 million cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico and more than 400 million cubic yards of mud, sand and gravel each year.
The Mississippi River provides transport for more than 472 million tons of cargo each year, including 46 percent of the grain exported from the United States.
More than 12 million people live in the 125 counties and parishes that border the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River is a major flyway for migratory birds. It is used by up to 40 percent of North America's duck, goose, swan and eagle population.
Waterfowl hunting in the flyway is valued at $58 million per year and sport fishing is valued at over $100 million annually.
International visitors spend an estimated $2.6 billion each year throughout the 10 river states, generating more than 53,000 jobs.
The Mississippi River is a water source for over 4 million people.
The Mississippi River is a source for amazing recreational adventures, with a Swiss who kayaked and a Slovenian who swam the entire river in 2002.