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Bena, Minnesota Guide


Location:

Bena is located midway between Grand Rapids and Bemidji on US Highway 2. Located on the south shore of Lake Winnibigoshish and only a few miles from Leech Lake, the Bena area is home to some of the best fishing in the state.
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Population
 Bena
(city)
1970 1980 1990 2000 1990-2000 Change
Actual Percent
Population 169 153 147 110 -37 -25.17
Land Area (sq. mile) 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.00 0.91
Density (persons per sq. mile) 338.00 283.33 294.00 218.01 -75.99 -25.85
Housing Units 65 83 74 72 -2 -2.70
Households -- 53 52 48 -4 -7.69
Persons Per Household -- 2.89 2.83 2.29 -0.54 -18.99

Geography:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 km˛ (0.5 mi˛). 1.3 km˛ (0.5 mi˛) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Demographics:
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 110 people, 48 households, and 31 families residing in the city. The population density is 84.9/km˛ (218.0/mi˛). There are 72 housing units at an average density of 55.6/km˛ (142.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 24.55% White, 0.00% African American, 70.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 5.45% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 48 households out of which 27.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.3% are married couples living together, 22.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% are non-families. 33.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.90.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $11,563, and the median income for a family is $6,563. Males have a median income of $17,083 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the city is $7,619. 58.0% of the population and 73.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 95.0% of those under the age of 18 and 26.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


History:

Bena, a city adjoining the most southern bay of Lake Winnibigoshish, in T. 145N, R. 28W, sections 26, 27, and 34, on the Leech Lake Reservation; incorporated as a village on November 14, 1906. It had a station of the Great Northern Railway in section 27, and its post office was established in 1898, with Ernest Flemming, owner of the hotel and dealer in general merchandise and heavy hauling, as postmaster. Its name is the Ojibwe word meaning "a partridge," spelled binT in Frederic Baraga's Dictionary of the Ojibway Language. This game bird species, formerly common throughout the wooded region of this state, is the ruffed grouse, called the "partridge" in New England and in Minnesota, but less correctly known as the "pheasant" in the middle and southern states. Henry W. Longfellow used this word in his Song of Hiawatha: "Heard the pheasant, Bena, drumming."

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Pioneer Businessman Founds Bena

Ernest Flemming, one of the first people to settle the town of Bena, was an enterprising young man.

Born in 1865 in Minneapolis, he delivered the Minneapolis Tribune when he was 10, became a cookee in a lumbercamp at 17, and was delivering ice cream by horse and wagon by the age of 19.

As he grew older, he made a living cooking in lumber camps, including those in the area near Backus and Pine River. After spending a number of years as a cook, however, Flemming began a business of his own. He moved to a point just north of Federal Dam in Cass County, and built a general store and other buildings from logs. His new business helped put Bena on the map.

Ernest Flemming Remembers ..

My first log stopping place was two stories high and built lumberjack style. I had steel beds upstairs for lumberjacks and charged them 25˘ a night. My wife ran the stopping place and I ran the store later on. We had a cook and a cookee. We ourselves lived in a separate house, or, at least, were separated from the hotel rooms.

For the meals everyone sat at a table, the same as at a lumber camp. Traveling men used to come in for Sunday. We charged 25˘ a meal.

We didn't have any bedbugs around here. We worked hard to keep them down. The traveling men would have them most — picking them up at various hotels. The lumberjacks didn't have any around camp.

After I got a little money I got some groceries and dry goods. They were pretty cheap then. The Indians couldn't go very far and had to trade with me. They brought in mink, muskrat, fox, wolf, coon and bear hides, and I paid them with money as much as they could get from anybody. Hides weren't worth much — muskrat 10˘ apiece and it had to be a good rat. too — couldn't be damaged. Bear hides weren't rare and we could get good money for them. Mink was worth about $3 a hide. The skins were all stretched and dried; they wouldn't keep otherwise. I usually sold to a fur buyer from St. Paul, who came through here. If I didn't like his price I wouldn't sell to him but wait until someone else from another place would come through and give me my price.

I also bought blueberries and rice from the Indians — anything they had — and gave them the money. Then I sold to them.

I expected and intended there would be a town here [where Bena is now], but I sat for 12 years, from 1898 on, before a town was organized.

From "In Our Own Backyard" by Carol Russell
© 1979, North Central Minnesota Historical Center

Winnibigoshish Historical Center 1510 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2585

Flemming's Lake Winnibigoshish Tourist Camp, Bena Minnesota
Flemming's Lake Winnibigoshish Tourist Camp, Bena Minnesota
Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society


Government:
Bena City Hall
Bena, MN 56626
Phone: (218)
665-2261
 
Mayor Steve Stangel
PO Box 37
Bena MN, 56626
 
Clerk - Treasurer Michelle "Missy" Charnley
PO Box 26
Bena MN, 56626
 
Council Member Jon Finn
PO Box 114
Bena MN, 56626
 
Council Member Stephanie Anwiler
PO Box 117
Bena MN, 56626
 
Council Member Pat Rooney
PO Box 8
Bena MN, 56626
 
Council Member William Tucker
143 Central Avenue
Bena MN, 56626
 

Post Office:
Bena Post Office
38 County Road 8
Bena, MN 56626-1042
Phone: (218) 665-2214
Toll Free: (800) ASK USPS
 
Regular Business Hours:
Week Days      
08:00AM-11:30AM
                        01:00PM-04:00PM

Saturday          
08:00AM-08:30AM  
Latest Collection at Post Office:
Week Days            04:15PM
Saturday                08:30AM

News:
Weather:

Click for Bena, Minnesota Forecast


Map:

Street Map of Bena Minnesota
Courtesy of Google Maps   Click map to enlarge or zoom


Events:
   

Attractions:
 

Recreation:
 
 

Lakes:
Lake Name Size
(acres)
Lake info Lake Map Rec Map Topo Map
Ball Club 3,936
Drumbeater Lake 260  
Leech Lake 111,527
Portage Lake 1,488
Six Mile Lake 1,288
Winnibigoshish 53,425


Health Care:
   
   

Schools:
Bena is part of Cass Lake - Bena Independent School District #115. Students are bussed to Cass Lake.

Every child is important at Cass Lake - Bena Elementary School. Teach staff have individual classroom plans that recognize positive student contributions and behavior. As a school, we also provide many opportunities where students can be recognized and rewarded for positive contributions and behavior.

Bug O Nay Ge Shig School 15353 Silver Eagle Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 335-3000
(800) 265-5576
Bug O Nay Ge Shig SchoolThe Bug O Nay Ge Shig School was founded in 1975 in Cass Lake, Minnesota as an alternative school to serve 35 Ojibwe students from Leech Lake Reservation. The school was started in response to parents' concerns that public schools were not meeting the students academic and cultural needs. The school was named in honor of Bug O Nay Ge Shig, a local Ojibwe who lived in that area at the turn of the century. Since that time, the school has transformed its role into a magnet school which serves Native American students living on or near Leech Lake Reservation. After 25 years, the Bug O Nay Ge Shig now Serves more than 200 of various tribal backgrounds. It is operated by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and governed by the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School board. It is located in the Chippewa National Forest in North central Minnesota and is now a K-12 school that provides open enrollment.

Churches:
Bena Alliance Church 121 State Highway 8
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2344
St. Anne's Catholic Church Bena, MN 56626 N/A
St. Anne's Catholic Church, Bena, MN

Media:
   

Motels:
   

Resorts:
Becker's Resort 17048 Wild Rice Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2268
Lake Winnibigoshish is the fourth largest lake in Minnesota, noted for its excellent walleye, northern & perch fishing. The state record Muskie has been taken out of Winnibigoshish. The uninhibited shoreline is beautifully wooded with pine, birch, oak, and maple trees. There is deer, duck and grouse hunting in seasons.  Resident and non-resident fishing licenses are available on site.  We also offer a full line of tackle, outboard motors, gas, boat & pontoon rentals, excellent fish cleaning facilities (fish cleaning available), freezer service, and ice. Our ultra modern, four season cabins have 2 or 3 bedrooms and are fully furnished. They include built-in ranges and ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, color television, dishes, and cooking utensils. Bed linens are provided, but guests are asked to furnish their own towels.  Cabins are clean and attractive with comfortable furniture and stand at the edge of the Mississippi River where they command a picturesque view and receive every cooling breeze. Cabins are well spaced for privacy.
Denny's Resort is a thirteen acre, year around resort located conveniently in the Chippewa National Forest where you can see native wildlife such as the American Bald Eagle, deer. ducks and occasionally bears (oh, and fish too).

Enjoy a scenic ride by car, boat, bike or even hike to absorb the spectacular summer days or nights and the other beautifully colored seasonal settings.  These are a few things you can start your vacation with in the "Northwoods" of Minnesota on or beside our 60,000 acre lake!
Four Seasons Resort 952 River Drive NW
Bena, MN  56626
(218) 665-2231 (800) 525-0457
Four Seasons Resort, Bena, MNWe offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from cooking, we also have complete dining facilities.  We have everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas, oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house, and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See Rates for more information and packages.
Iowana Beach Resort
Email:  vacation@iowanabeach.com
14877 Iowana Beach Road NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2311
(877) 665-2311
Iowana Beach Resort, Bena, MNIowana Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between Grand Rapids and Bemidji Minnesota. With only two resorts on the lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake.
Nodak Lodge is located on Lake Winnibigoshish in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota.  A visit to our resort puts you on over 58,000 acres of prime fishing water and in the center of 660,000 acres of national forest waiting for you to explore!  We are a full service resort open year round ready to help you meet all your recreation needs whether it be fishing, hunting or simply a long overdue family get-a-way!  If you are looking for a place to relax, a new fishing or hunting spot, or would like to introduce the family to the beautiful Minnesota north woods, we can help make your trip a comfortable one with memories to last a lifetime.
Portage Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest.  You won't find the lake crowded with other people or a lot of boats.  There are just two resorts and 12 private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline.   It is about 4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes - Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there.  You won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send you in the right direction.  Portage Lake is occasionally stocked with northern pike, and the DNR stocks it with walleyes on a regular basis - over 10 million in the last 5 years.  You will also catch crappies, perch and largemouth bass.

Campgrounds:
   

Businesses:
Becker's Resort 17048 Wild Rice Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2268
Lake Winnibigoshish is the fourth largest lake in Minnesota, noted for its excellent walleye, northern & perch fishing. The state record Muskie has been taken out of Winnibigoshish. The uninhibited shoreline is beautifully wooded with pine, birch, oak, and maple trees. There is deer, duck and grouse hunting in seasons.  Resident and non-resident fishing licenses are available on site.  We also offer a full line of tackle, outboard motors, gas, boat & pontoon rentals, excellent fish cleaning facilities (fish cleaning available), freezer service, and ice. Our ultra modern, four season cabins have 2 or 3 bedrooms and are fully furnished. They include built-in ranges and ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, color television, dishes, and cooking utensils. Bed linens are provided, but guests are asked to furnish their own towels.  Cabins are clean and attractive with comfortable furniture and stand at the edge of the Mississippi River where they command a picturesque view and receive every cooling breeze. Cabins are well spaced for privacy.
Bena City Hall Bena, MN 56626 (218) 665-2261
Big Fish 456 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2333
Big Fish Supper Club, Bena, MNThe Big Fish Supper Club is on Hwy. 2 just outside of Bena, Minnesota, about halfway between Bemidji and Grand Rapids. The restaurant itself is in a normal building beside the fish. At one point, there was a hamburger stand inside the fish's belly, but that's long since been closed. Now it's just a roadside oddity. Fun tip: you can stand inside the mouth and pose for a picture. They only put the teeth in during the summer, though.
Big Winnie Bar Bena, MN 56626 (218) 665-2265
Big Winnie Trading Post 1526 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2565
Big Winnie Cafe 122 State  Highway 8
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2377
Chain of Lakes Cabins 2290 US Highway 2 NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2217
Cherney's Resort 13887 6 Mile Lake Road NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2271
Denny's Resort PO Box 8
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2222 (888) 665-2298
Denny's Resort is a thirteen acre, year around resort located conveniently in the Chippewa National Forest where you can see native wildlife such as the American Bald Eagle, deer. ducks and occasionally bears (oh, and fish too).

Enjoy a scenic ride by car, boat, bike or even hike to absorb the spectacular summer days or nights and the other beautifully colored seasonal settings.  These are a few things you can start your vacation with in the "Northwoods" of Minnesota on or beside our 60,000 acre lake!
Four Seasons Resort 952 River Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2231 (800) 525-0457
Four Seasons Resort, Bena, MNWe offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from cooking, we also have complete dining facilities.  We have everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas, oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house, and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See Rates for more information and packages.
Iowana Beach Resort
Email:  vacation@iowanabeach.com
14877 Iowana Beach Road NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2311
(877) 665-2311
Iowana Beach Resort, Bena, MNIowana Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between Grand Rapids and Bemidji Minnesota. With only two resorts on the lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake.
Johnson Lumber Co 15149 W Winnie Road NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2368
Lake Country Communications Bena, MN 56626 (218) 665-2579
McArdles Resort
1014 W Winnie Road NW
Bena, Minnesota 56626
(218) 665-2212 (800) 535-2398
McArdle's ResortWe are located on the mouth of the Mississippi River entering Lake Winnibigoshish.  From our natural harbor you can travel mile after mile and view Lake Winnie's virgin shoreline. Lake Winnibigoshish is one of the finest Walleye, Perch and Northern Pike lakes in the state. This lake is a great producer of fish. As a general rule, the best time to fish is: Walleye - May to the first week in July and Mid August until freeze up. Northern Pike - July through October. Large Perch bite well all year! During the summer, on our well kept grounds, you will find the heated swimming pool for our registered guests. Also overlooking the waters edge is our dining room with reservations served at designated hours. Snowmobilers can enjoy miles of groomed trails in Minnesota wilderness while the ice fisherman and his family can enjoy catching Lake Winnie's famous perch
New Leech Lake Campground 12962 Sunset Beach Road NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 654-3785
Nodak Lodge 15080 Nodak Drive
Bena, MN  56626
(218) 665-2226
(800) 752-2758
Nodak Lodge is located on Lake Winnibigoshish in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota.  A visit to our resort puts you on over 58,000 acres of prime fishing water and in the center of 660,000 acres of national forest waiting for you to explore!  We are a full service resort open year round ready to help you meet all your recreation needs whether it be fishing, hunting or simply a long overdue family get-a-way!  If you are looking for a place to relax, a new fishing or hunting spot, or would like to introduce the family to the beautiful Minnesota north woods, we can help make your trip a comfortable one with memories to last a lifetime.
Northstar Resort 584 Northstar Drive NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 654-3330
Safari Imports 987 River Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2224
Sunset Beach Resort 14703 Portage Road NE
Bena, MN 56626
(218) 665-2324
Portage Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest.  You won't find the lake crowded with other people or a lot of boats.  There are just two resorts and 12 private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline.   It is about 4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes - Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there.  You won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send you in the right direction.  Portage Lake is occasionally stocked with northern pike, and the DNR stocks it with walleyes on a regular basis - over 10 million in the last 5 years.  You will also catch crappies, perch and largemouth bass.
Winnibigoshish Historical Center 1510 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626

(218) 665-2585

Other Web Links:
 St Paul District Water Control Center Lake Winnibigoshish Water Level Data

US Army Corp of Engineers hydrologic data, Lake Winnibigoshish Dam near Bena, MN.

Aerial Photo  [click photo to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]

Aerial View of Bena, Minnesota
Aerial photo is courtesy of Microsoft's Terra Server and the US Geological Survey


Topographic Map: [click photo to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]

Topographic Map of the Bena, Minnesota area.
Topographic photo is courtesy of Microsoft's Terra Server and the US Geological Survey


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