Little Fork River
Little Fork River Overview
Like its cousin, the Big Fork River, the Little Fork River flows north into the Rainy River. Rapids are separated by long stretches of quiet water. None of the rapids are very long, although some portages are difficult because of brush along side of the river. The Class I-II rapids are mostly in the upper part of the river. Use caution at Hannie Falls, which is a rated Class VI rapids.
little fork River Character
Red clay and other suspended solids tend to cloud the water, especially during heavy rains. Even in low water, the river carries a darker tint. Stream flow generally peaks in late April and falls throughout the summer, when the rapids may become impassable. However, heavy summer or autumn rains can raise the river to runnable levels. The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a gauge on river mile 21.6. A reading of 3 feet or lower indicates most rapids are too shallow for easy passage.
little fork river Landscape
The Little Fork River is bounded by low banks, nearly level land, and a dense forest of pine, spruce, fir, aspen and birch. Farms and houses flank the upper part of the river, which is crossed by several bridges. But the stretch from the State Hwy 65 bridge at river mile 97.7 to where the road again crosses the stream at river mile 57 is wild and nearly inaccessible. Farther downstream development again is more evident, particularly near the town of Littlefork. Rocks which underlie the watershed are Precambrian igneous and metamorphic. Outcrops are infrequent. The lower river glides over flat land that once was the bed of glacial Lake Agassiz.
little fork river Fish and Wildlife
Fish include walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, rock bass and sturgeon.
Wildlife includes timber wolves, bobcats, lynx, beavers and otters. Big game includes moose, black bears and white-tailed deer. Ruffed grouse and several species of ducks are common. Bald eagles and osprey are occasionally sighted.
little fork river History
A succession of Woodland Culture Indians occupied the region during the 2,500 years before its settlement by whites. The Laurel gave way to the Blackduck, who may have been the direct predecessors of the Dakota. The Dakota, or Sioux, inhabited the region until the Ojibwe laid claim to what would become northern Minnesota. Magnificent stands of white and red pine near the Little Fork's headwaters were logged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A log drive down the Nett Lake and Little Fork rivers to the Rainy in 1937 was the last major drive in the region.
little fork river Map
geoPDF map of the Little Fork River
little fork River Gauges
Site Report - River Mile 22.1 - Little Fork River at Little Fork, MN (76090001)
USGS ID - (0531500)
Site Report -River Mile 58.9 - Little Fork River at Hwy 65 (76099001)
little fork river Shuttle and Rental Services
7255 Crane Lake Road, Crane Lake, MN 55725; 800-777-7186. A full-service outfitter including canoe rental, van shuttle service, trip outfitting and bunk accommodations. Also serves Vermilion River & BWCA.
29755 State Highway 38, Grand Rapids, MN 55744; 218-326-9866. Ten canoes for rent. No shuttling. Some camping gear and food. Also serves Big Fork, Cloquet, Mississippi, Saint Louis, and Vermilion Rivers.
Rivers North Outfitters of Minnesota
312 2nd St NW, PO Box 38, Big Falls, MN 56627; 218-276-2481 or 877-481-2569. Canoe and kayak rental, shuttling services, free trip planning, guide service, fishing licenses, supplies, tents and other camping gear. Also serves the Bigfork River.
little fork River trips
A near 15.9 mile float can be done from the US Hwy 71 bridge just north of the City of Little Fork north to the Rainy River and then going upstream along the Rainy River for about a mile to the Kuttes boat landing to give you a trip of nearly 17 miles. A 7.4 mile bicycle shuttle will take you about 36 minutes. This is a very slow moving part of the river with only a 2 foot drop during the nearly 16 mile float (0.12 feet per mile). This float could also be extended to the Lofgren Park access (RM 20.8) in the City of Little Falls giving you a nearly 22 mile float. A 10.4 mile long bicycle shuttle would take about 52 minutes. From the park to the Rainy River the Little Fork River only drops 4 feet in the nearly 21 miles giving it a river gradient of less than 0.2 feet per mile.
Another float to consider is putting in at the Devereaux access (RM 37.1) and floating the 16.3 miles to the Lofgren Park access (RM 20.8). This involves an 8.1 mile bicycle shuttle taking about 40 minutes. You will encounter a set of easy Class II rapids at RM 21.5, otherwise the river gradient for this stretch of river is a leisurely 1.1 feet per mile.
A long 20.8 mile float starts at the Dentaybow carry in access (RM 57.9) and ends at the Devereaux access (RM 37.1). A 12.6 mile long bicycle shuttle takes about 1 hour. The river gradient is about 1 foot per mile. No major rapids are encountered along this float.
I have not provided information for fishing floats upstream of the Hwy 65 crossing as there is an increase in the amount of rapids with some Class II, Class III, and Class IV rapids found. These rapids may be dangerous to navigate or may require long portages to avoid.