Lake Traverse

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

Water Control Plan Update

History

Construction on the Lake Traverse Flood Control project began in 1936 and was completed in 1941. The primary purposes were for flood control benefits along the Bois de Sioux River and lower Red River valley, as well as water conservation for frequent periods of draught.
White Rock Dam
White Rock Dam day-use recreation area

Contact

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Traverse Lake
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
6338 County Road 10
Wheaton, MN 56296-5469
Phone: (320) 563-4586
Lake.Traverse@usace.army.mil

Make Reservations

You can reserve camp sites and day-use facilities at many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas nationwide, as well as many other agencies, online by visiting RECREATION.GOV. Reservations may also be made by calling RECREATION.GOV toll free at
1-877-444-6777.

Reservation Dam 
 Reservation Dam

White Rock Dam
White Rock Dam
 

Browns Valley Dike
Browns Valley Dike 

Wear It logo

National Safe Boating Council


Firewood Safety


Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by following state guidelines when visiting Corps lakes:

North Dakota Game and Fish

MN Department of Natural Resources

WI Department of Natural Resources