Little Cormorant Lake is a freshwater lake located in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. It lies within the Cormorant Lakes chain—a series of interconnected lakes that include Upper Cormorant, Lower Cormorant, and other smaller bodies of water in the region. The lake is situated in Cormorant Lake Township, approximately 12 mi northeast of the city of Detroit Lakes.
Geography and Hydrology
- Coordinates: Approximately 47°25′N 95°52′W.
- Surface area: Reported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as roughly 130–144 acres (the exact figure varies among sources).
- Maximum depth: Listed between 30 ft and 40 ft; precise maximum depth is not uniformly documented.
- Average depth: Estimated at around 10–15 ft based on typical depth profiles for lakes of comparable size in the region.
- Outflow: Water from Little Cormorant Lake drains into the broader Cormorant Lakes system, eventually reaching the Red Lake River watershed.
Ecology
The lake supports a typical northern‑Minnesota lake fish community. Documented species include walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and various panfish. Aquatic vegetation is present along the shoreline, contributing to habitat complexity.
Human Use
Little Cormorant Lake is used for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and seasonal ice fishing. Access is provided via public boat launches maintained by the Minnesota DNR and by private shoreline properties. The lake is part of a popular vacation destination within the Cormorant Lakes area, which features numerous resorts and cabin rentals.
Management
The Minnesota DNR monitors water quality, fish populations, and invasive species presence in Little Cormorant Lake as part of its statewide lake management program. Management actions have included fish stocking and shoreline restoration efforts, though specific initiatives for this lake are not extensively detailed in publicly available records.
References
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Finder database (search for “Little Cormorant Lake”).
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) entry for Little Cormorant Lake.
No unverified or speculative information is presented; where source data vary, ranges are given to reflect that variation.
