Pine River
pine RIVER Overview
The Pine River flows gently through jack pine forests and quiet water. The lake and hill country in this area illustrate classic glacial landforms. The river flows through several lakes, including Norway Lake and the Whitefish chain. River width ranges from 25 to 150 feet. There are a few rapids, and they are Class I at most water levels.
pine River Character
Water level in the Pine River generally peaks in mid-to late-May and falls during the summer until September and October when the river has an increase, peaking again in mid-October. The river is generally runnable below the Cross Lake Dam throughout the summer. There are a number of dams that require portaging; please see the map for locations. Caution should be used when there are windy conditions and/or significant boat traffic in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. It is best to follow the shoreline.
From Norway Lake to the Mississippi River the Pine drops 85 feet, an average of 2.3 feet per mile. However, large drops occur at the dams at Pine River and Cross Lake. The watershed covers 562 square miles.
pine river Landscape
Most of the river flows through essentially undeveloped, natural forested "Jack Pine Hills," interrupted occasionally by swampy areas or open, quiet water such as Norway Lake. The City of Pine River and the Whitefish Chain are the only areas where concentrated development occurs. Lake and hill country, through which most of the river flows, illustrates classic glacial landforms. The stream itself is mainly gravel bottomed with occasional boulders.
pine river Fish and Wildlife
A great diversity of fish species are found along the route, they include walleye, northern pike, bass, crappies, sunfish and whitefish in the Whitefish Chain. There are northern pike, walleye, large and smallmouth bass in the lower Pine River below Cross Lake. Lake trout may also be caught in Big Trout Lake on the northeast end of the Whitefish Chain. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrat and mink. Along the river there are various songbirds and waterfowl and an occasional bald eagle or osprey.
pine river History
Dakota Indians lived in the Pine River area until the Ojibwe began moving into the region in the early 1700s. By the early 1800s, the Ojibwe controlled lands west of the Mississippi River and north of the Crow Wing River, just to the south of the Pine River. Fur traders began entering the region in the early 1700s, exploiting the fur bearing species of the area. The Northwest Company was the predominant trading company in the area during the late 1700s and early 1800s. Red River routes that went through the area, between St. Paul and Winnipeg, started to open trade in the area. Lumbering became important in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which gave way to an agricultural economy that exists today. Today this region is a major resort area in Minnesota.
pine river Map
geoPDF map of the Pine River
pine River Gauges
Pine River near Mission, CSAH11
(RM 1)
Pine River near Jenkins, CSAH15
(RM 30.5)
pine river Shuttle and Rental Services
115 3rd Avenue Southwest (Highway 210), Crosby, MN 56441; 218-545-4545. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Shuttle service available for the Mississippi and Pine Rivers and the mine lakes of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area by appointment.
Water Wolverine Shuttling
Ironton, MN; 763-607-0411 or email h20wolverine@comcast.net . Shuttle services for Crow Wing, Mississippi and other waterways in Aitkin, Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton and Motley areas. Shuttles are by appointment only and advanced reservations are required.
36436 County Road 66, Crosslake, MN 56442; 218-692-1200. Kayak rentals, shuttle services, bikes and stand-up paddle boards.
pine River trips
I am only including a few potential floats for the Pine River as it appears there are not very many long trips available due to the large number of dams, rapids, and low bridges that may require portaging often.
The first trip is a 9.8 mile long float which starts by accessing the river off of the Grand Inland Trail (RM 10.7~) and floating down to the Harvey Drake landing off of County Road 11 bridge (RM 0.9). There is a river gauge on the south end of the bridge at this landing. The river can be paddled when the gauge reads between 2 and 4 feet. The river gradient is around 1.8 feet per mile. A bicycle shuttle is 5.1miles long and takes about 24 minutes.
An extension of this float requires putting in at the carry in access (RM 15.3) below the rock dam and floating 14.4 miles to the Harvey Drake landing off of County Road 11 bridge (RM 0.9). The river gradient is around 1.8 feet per mile and a bicycle shuttle is 10.3 miles long taking 50 minutes.
The Lower Hay Lake, Bertha Lake, Clamshell Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Whitefish Lake (Upper and Lower), Big Trout Lake, Rush Lake, Daggett Lake, Little Pine Lake, Island-Loon Lake, and Cross Lake Reservoir all are connected make up the Cross Lake Chain of Lakes which can provide the angler with great fishing opportunities. However, you will also be competing with a host of other anglers and recreational boaters so it is advised to stay close to shore if you're in a canoe or kayak.
Paddling this next segment of the Pine River will hone your whitewater skills as several long Class I rapids will provide a fun challenge, but perhaps a hectic and awkward fishing experience. The clear waters of the Pine River flow swiftly over the sandy bottom and through some undeveloped forest land in this stretch. Your best paddling on this segment will be from April to June, or whenever the discharge from the Pine River Dam (RM 37.6) is between 100 and 200 cfs. Below 80 cfs, you will find yourself walking and dragging your watercraft through the shallow stretches. The put in point is at the City of Pine River Chamber of Commerce access (RM 37.0), just past the Barclay Avenue bridge. Soon after you pass under some bridges on your way downstream you will encounter the Gromek Class I rapids (RM 36.6 - 36.1). At (RM 35.7) you will find the confluence of the South Fork of the Pine River. Hopper's Rapids (RM 34 - 33.7) are a set of Class I rapids, and at (RM 33.3) you will come to Hopper's bridge crossing. This is a very low bridge and may require portaging to the right side for 20 yards. Kell's Rapids (RM 32.5 - 32.2) is a Class I rapids, along with Carlson Rapids (RM 30 - 29.7). At (RM 29.0) you enter the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and a boating landing is off to your left. If you wish to fish these lakes the best route is along the shoreline to avoid large waves and heavy boat traffic. A bicycle shuttle is 9.6 miles long and takes about 50 minutes.
In this segment of the Pine River the river is narrow and winding. A few riffles spice up the paddling experience and there are a few boulders, but there are no rapids. The average river gradient is 2.4 feet per mile. You'll have your best float trip when the discharge from the Pine River Dam (RM 37.6) is between 80 and 200 cfs. The put in spot for this 7.6 mile long trip is where the river crosses the gravel road of Lake Hattie Dr SW, just west of Hwy 84. When the river flows into the Ding Pot Swamp area (RM 44.9) the current slows the river channel seems to disappear in the emergent vegetation. Along this slow moving part of the river you may also encounter beaver dams that you will have to drag your craft over. At low water levels, a 1/4 mile of riffles may be encountered around 3 miles from the put in spot. The Barclay Road #4 (RM 41.7) has shallow culverts that may require a 20 yard portage to the right. From this spot the Pine River enters a cattail marsh, which continues until you reach Norway Lake (RM 39.4). There are two boat landings on Norway Lake, one on the north end, and the other on the south end (RM 38.8), however you can also paddle across the lake and continue downstream to the City of Pine River #1 carry in access (RM 38.3). A bicycle shuttle from the north landing is 8.7 miles and takes about 45 minutes.
Paddling above this last segment has many hazardous areas so no trips are included for this area.