Bay Lake

Bay Lake Township is located in the heart of the lakes area in Crow Wing County (just two hours from the Twin Cities, 10 minutes from Mille Lacs Lake and 20 minutes from Brainerd or Grand Casino Mille Lacs). The main arterial routes through Bay Lake Township are highways 6 and 18.

The area was known to early trappers and fur traders before the railroad brought settlers. Bay Lake Township received its name from its large lake, which was named for its irregular outline, with many bays, projecting points and islands. Its Ojibwe name was Sisabagama development.

Nowadays, the beautiful and serene 2,435-acre Bay Lake is surrounded by resorts and private cabins. Bay Lake is part of the headwaters for the Ripple River, a common spawning spot for fish. It is a popular destination for bass and walleye angling, boating and water skiing. Several smaller lakes are also located within the area.

Hansen’s Sports on Hwy. 6 near the south end of Bay Lake offers complete boating and snowmobiling services and a small general store, conveniently on the route “up north.”

The well-known Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge is available for all-season bookings, whether it be a family get-away, honeymoon or large conference. On the southwest shore of the lake, enjoy dining at The Lonesome Pine Restaurant.

A variety of golf courses, tennis courts, restaurants, movies, amusement parks, museums and shopping are all a short drive away. The nearby towns of Deerwood and Crosby offer small-town friendliness, shopping and amenities to make your stay even more enjoyable.

Crosby

Built around Serpent Lake in the heart of Cuyuna Country, the Crosby area offers dozens of beautiful natural lakes. These unique lakes were created when the old Cuyuna Iron Range open-mine pits ceased operation. The excavated mine sites transformed from scarred earth to a new wonderland reclaimed by nature, offering some of the finest walleye, northern pike, trout and panfish angling in the state.

Travel back in time with a visit to the Croft Mine Historical Park, the Cuyuna Range Historical Museum and Soo Line Depot Museum or browse Crosby’s many antique shops. Diving clubs from across the Midwest are drawn to the pristine waters of the mine lakes to explore remnants of the old mining days under the surface.

Opportunities for outdoor recreation in these parts are endless. Don’t forget your camera! Photographic opportunities await the shutter bug and naturalist with some of the finest bird watching in the Midwest. Hunters find this habitat plentiful for harvesting deer, duck and grouse.

In Crosby, you’ll also find world-class mountain bike, hiking and snowmobile trails connecting our unique area to all parts of Minnesota. The Cuyuna Lakes Paved Trail extends from Crosby, Riverton and Deerwood. The scenic route with beautiful views of the crystal-clear lakes wind through the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and connects to the mountain bike trails. The Cuyuna Lakes Trail also connects to the Mississippi River Trail, the nationally designated bikeway from Lake Itasca to New Orleans.

Then, head into bustling downtown Crosby to experience an atmosphere of small-town friendliness and outstanding service while dining out or shopping. The Hallett Community Center provides space for indoor activites, exercise and swimming. Crosby is also home to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, one of the finest medical facilities in the entire region.

City of Crosby Website

Cuyuna

Cuyuna was officially platted November 14, 1908 one of the first three after Deerwood and Emily. Shortly after the official plat was filed, the brick bank building was constructed along with a school…a one-room, 30 by 40-foot structure between Rabbit lake and the Kennedy mine. The bank building is now city hall. The Kennedy mine eventually was allowed to flood and filled what is now the East Rabbit Lake.

At one time, Cuyuna was had a population of nearly 1,000. Immigrants mostly from Europe, came in the early 1900’s to fulfill their dream for a better life.

Today Cuyuna has a population of about 341.

The area around Cuyuna is now known for the beautiful mine lakes and hilly terrain.

The world famous Woodtick Inn hosts summer wood tick races drawing fun seekers from all over the U.S.

City of Cuyuna Website

Deerwood

Deerwood’s famous leaping deer, located in Elmer Park, greets visitors to the hometown of Cuyler Adams. Adams and his faithful dog “Una” were the founders of the Cuyuna Iron Range. The deer also marks the former site of the Deerwood railroad depot. To commemorate Deerwood’s historic role as a rail transportation hub on the Cuyuna Range, future plans are for the construction of a half-size replica of the depot for use as a picnic shelter for visitors and residents alike.

Deerwood is the oldest community on the Cuyuna Range. Located between Lakes Reno and Serpent, it is located on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Stock and berry raising were some of the most important industries. Deerwood was designated a Minnesota Star City in 1990.

Be sure to look for this year’s Summerfest weekend, celebrated the second weekend of August. This is an annual event featuring a craft fair, bake sale, street dance, beer garden, bingo, corn feed and sidewalk exhibits.

Emily

Emily was one of the first towns platted in the entire region. It was a logging outpost at the turn of the century. Go to Emily’s own town website for more.

The Emily – Fifty Lakes area is located on Minnesota Scenic Hwy. 6 in the heart of north central Minnesota. Beautiful pine and hard wood forests and dozens of beautiful clean, clear, natural lakes surround the cities of Emily and Fifty Lakes. Some of the lakes are over 100 ft. deep and have excellent public landings and great fishing; sunfish, crappies, perch, bass, walleyes, northern pike, and lake trout. Every season walleyes over 10 pounds and northern pike in the 15-20 pound range are caught. With our residents and visitors practicing catch and release techniques, our fishing quality will remain great for years to come.

Our beautiful pine, birch, and hard wood forests are home to many kinds of wildlife. Whitetail deer can be seen on a daily basis, along with bald eagles, and many species of wild birds. Squirrels, chipmunks, beaver, and fox abound in the Emily-Fifty Lakes area. The majestic Loon, with it’s beautiful and haunting call, can be seen on all of our many lakes. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of a timber wolf as they wander through our abundant forests.

You can enjoy canoeing, boating, water skiing and swimming in the clean, clear waters of the Emily-Fifty Lakes area. You may also want to take in a round of golf at one of three golf courses located within Emily or Fifty Lakes. Shop for souvenirs, gifts and clothing at one of numerous gift shops and antique stores. Treat yourself to a cappuccino, ice cream, and specialty food or candy item during your visit to one of these shops.

Our communities also offer excellent dining options renowned for their quality of food. Fuel & convenience stores, hardware, grocery markets with fresh meats, deli and bakery goods, sporting goods, off-sale and on-sale liquors, furniture and much more.

Whether your stay is one night or several, the Emily-Fifty Lakes area has many resorts and resorts and motels for you to relax, enjoy some water sports and get that rest full night sleep you have been longing for.

Ironton

Ironton was platted in 1910 by John H. Hill and E. A. Lamb. The town lies adjacent to the Armour No.1 and Armour No. 2 mines. Construction of the town was derailed for a time, when ore was discovered under part of the original platted area. Buildings had to be moved at the expense of the mining company holding the lease. But the town eventually settled into the the layout seen today.

Ironton is a small town with old fashioned friendliness and progressive ideas. The new industrial area on the west side of town is awaiting your company’s relocation here! Ironton is the home of Minnesota’s newest lakes. Rainbow and brook trout are stocked in some of the areas 14 reclaimed mine pits. The trout are not alone. Sunfish, crappie, bass (large and smallmouth), and big northerns also flourish in the rich, clean environment.

If fishing isn’t for you, try snorkeling, SCUBA diving, hiking, kayaking or canoeing your way over and under Cuyuna Country. A new trail is planned for building in the spring of 2005. The winter of 2004 will open the snowmobile trail through the Cuyuna Country Recreation Area.

City of Ironton Website

Riverton

Riverton, MN  Riverton Country in the Fall — The area lakes, streams, and reclaimed mine-lake fishing makes Riverton a unique small town on the west end of the principal mining area. Sagamore Mine Lake is stocked with Brook and Rainbow trout and is a favorite diving  destination. The Mississippi River runs near Riverton as well and there is an access. Some of the finest fishing available in the state is hidden among the channels and backwaters from here to Brainerd.

Riverton has a population that hovers in the 115-120 range and its residents earn their livelihood in neighboring communities. Riverton is made up largely of people who have been attracted to a small, clean, peaceful nature setting and who want to preserve that small town friendly atmosphere.

Trommald

The iron mining ceased operation years ago and left Trommald a small community centered around the Miller Lake and Black Bear Lake. There is a great deal of county/public land in this area waiting to be explored. Many parts of the Trommald area are largely wild and reclaimed by nature following the intense mining activity of the early 1900’s. When in the area, head north on Cty Rd 30. Look for the sign to Trommald. The back roads can be explored, but watch out, the roads are unkept so you are on your own. Some of this area is within the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and will eventually be developed providing hiking and camping opportunities.