Lake Traverse is open throughout the year. The shallow lakes are good fishing places for walleye, northern pike and crappie, especially in the spring. In the summer, there is fishing, boating, waterskiing, picnicking and nature watching. There are many aquatic birds such as herons, egrets, grebes, pelicans and cormorants who visit the site. Additionally, the cold, winter days are perfect for ice-fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Hunting is open to the public on the 1,512 acres of wildlife management Areas, regulated by the Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check with the DNR prior to hunting for more information on current hunting regulations.
White Rock Dam, which forms Mud Lake, is located at the extreme north end of the site and controls water flowing north on the Bois de Sioux River. Reservation Dam controls the pool level at Lake Traverse and the water flow north into Mud Lake; it also serves as a levee that separates the two lakes.
Recreation facilities include the White Rock Dam, Reservation Control Dam and Browns Valley Dike as well as picnic areas, shoreline fishing areas and privies. The three recreation areas are all close to at least one of the eight boat ramps.
Camping sites are available at Traverse County Park and other recreation areas.
Corps officials continue working on the Sustainable Rivers Program to determine what options, if any, are available to enhance the environment around Lake Traverse and Mud Lake through potential modifications to the current water control plans.
Lake Traverse brochure