Welcome to the Pike River Flowage
Tucked in 8.5 acres of majestic boreal forest on the headwaters of Lake Vermilion, our home boasts 900 feet of shoreline, mixed woods, winding walking trails, perennial gardens, snowmobile trails, and views you will never forget.
You hear that? That's the Pike River Flowage calling.
Rental Information
Spring [May] $325/night
Summer [June, July, Aug] $350/night
Fall [Sept & Oct] $275/night
Winter [November-April] $235/night
50% deposit to hold
Check in after 2pm, check out by noon
For an additional fee
Pontoon Rental
- $100/day for first 3 days
- No charge for day 4+
Dog
- $30/day per dog
- 2 dogs maximum
Cancellations Policy:
- > 21 days = 100% refund
- 8-20 days = 50% refund
- 0-7 days = 0% refund
Questions or to book a stay contact James
651.260.4689
Molly & James
Molly and James are from the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul where Molly is a social worker, James is a high school teacher, and they raised 6 children. James's family first came to Vermilion in 1990 and owned Jackrabbit Island [just outside of Everett Bay].
In 2024 Molly and James decided to sell Jackrabbit Island and look for a cabin on lakes closer to the Twin Cities. After lots of looking they realized they were not happy with the quality of lakes or the lack of privacy they were finding. Having enjoyed the specialness of Vermilion and the north woods, Molly and James realized they needed to stay in the area.
Our place on the Pike River Flowage is set on 8.5 acres with over 900 feet of shoreline and has an escape-to-the-Boundary-Waters like feel as it is tucked in a majestic boreal forest on the headwaters of Lake Vermilion. Because the Taconite snowmobile trail runs through the property, and the Pike River Flowage has over 500 acres of recreation opportunities, this property this the perfect for spot for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
Indoor Features
Living Space
- 2,696 square feet of living space on two floors
3+ Bedrooms [Sleeps 10]
- 1st Floor Guest Room = Queen Bed
- 2nd Floor Guest Room = 1 Queen and 1 Twin
- 2nd Floor Primary Suite = 1 King
- 2nd Floor Secret Loft = 2 twins
- 2nd Floor Common Area = 1 Full Futon
3 Bathrooms
- Main floor = ¾ bath
- 2nd floor = Full bath
- 2nd floor Primary Suite = ¾ bath
Smart TV's [Bring your passwords!]
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Laundry Room
2nd Floor TV Room
Wood Burning Fire Place
Sauna
Reliable Satellite Internet
Outdoor Features
Secluded 8.52 acres of trees, trails, & wildflowers
Private waterfront [900' of gravel-sandy shoreline]
30 foot dock
12x10 waterside deck with Adirondack chairs
Floating raft
Canoe, kayaks, pedal boat, and paddle board
Wood heated hot tub with lake view [seasonal]
Fire pit & firewood
The Taconite State Snowmobile Trail runs through the property!
Main Floor Great Room
The main floor great room has a spacious open concept that includes a dining area where natural light pours in from two story tall windows. This main area also includes a wood burning fireplace, a large comfy sectional couch, and glass doors that open to a wrap-around deck.
Main Floor Guest Room
Comfy queen bed, large closet, southern facing window, and smart TV. Just across the hall from the main floor bathroom [which is nice for mature people of a certain age].
Main Floor Bathroom
The main level spa room has a 3 person electric sauna and a ¾ bath. Has a card table to craft, puzzle, or do art projects.
Kitchen
The spacious, fully stocked, open concept kitchen overlooks the dining area, and the Great Room, Kitchen counter includes a peninsula with stools.
2nd Floor Primary Suite
Ginormus ensuite primary bedroom with a King bed, a private spa bath, sink, toilet, smart TV, and glass doors that open to a private deck overlooking the water.
2nd Floor Common Area
In the lofted second floor is a common room, sitting area with a futon couch, comfy chairs, games & puzzles, and a large television with ROKU.
2nd Floor Bathroom
This full bath has a large tub, shower, toilet & vanity.
2nd Floor Guest Room
Has both queen and twin beds, and a woods side walkout deck.
2nd Floor ['Secret'] Loft Bedroom
Perfect for a kids fort and play/reading area. Equipped with 2 twin beds for a fun sleepover!
Pike River Flowage
The Pike River Flowage is a 254 acre reservoir on the Pike River east of Lake Vermilion. The Flowage is created by the 1912 dam on its west end where the river exits over a dam into Pike Bay on Lake Vermilion. The dam was built in order to provide reliable electricity for the area but the Army Corps of Engineers deemed the river not consistent enough and abandoned the plans shortly after the dam was built.
The Pike River Flowage is located five miles west of Tower with a public landing off State Highway 1 just upstream of the impounding dam and a short boat ride from our lake house.
Pike River Flowage is approximately 254 sq acres with 5 miles of shoreline. Deepest point is 23 feet.
One can expect to find a variety of Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rock and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Perch, Sunfish in the Pike River Flowage
The closest towns are Tower [6 miles], and Soudan [10 miles], Virginia [25 miles], Ely [30 miles]
There is a boat launch off of HWY 1 [of course you can also drive 7 minutes to launch on Lake Vermilion]. Unfortunately there is no way to boat from the Flowage to Lake Vermilion.
The weather is unpredictable in the north woods [Don’t like the weather, just wait a minute, it will change..]
Spring: 50°F/26°F | Summer: 80°F/55°F
October: 53°F/33°F | Winter: 17°F/-23°
Lake Vermilion
Ojibwe originally called this lake Onamuni, which means Lake of the Sunset Glow. French fur traders translated this to the Latin word Vermilion, which is a red pigment.
Lake Vermilion is located between the towns of Tower on the east and Cook in the west, in the heart of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region at Vermilion Iron Range.
The area was mined from the late 19th century until the 1960s, and the Soudan Mine operated just south of the lake.
Lake Vermilion had its own version of a gold rush for 1856 to 1866, which led to the building of Vermilion Trail originating in Duluth and stopping in Tower, MN.
Even though Lake Vermilion is known for its walleye and muskie fishing, the lake contains black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike, sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee, white sucker, and yellow perch.
Lake Vermilion was host to the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener Weekend in 2015.
In the 1940s, the National Geographic Society declared Lake Vermilion one of the top ten most scenic lakes in the United States
Lake Vermilion has 365 islands.
Lake Vermilion has the most shoreline of any lake in Minnesota (about 1200 miles).
Lake Vermilion is nearly 40 miles from east to west and is Minnesota’s 7th largest Lake with 39,271 acres.
Largest muskie found in recent samplings by the DNR...54.7 inches while 15% are over 50"
Animals of the Pike River Flowage
Bobcats Description Video
Timberwolves Description Video
Moose Description Video
Black Bear Description Video
Turkeys Description Video
Deer Description Video
Geese Description Video
Chipmunk Description Video
