Creek Length: From its source at Extortion Lake to its mouth at Cross Bay Lake, the creek is about 2 miles long.
Campsites: 0
Wildlife Seen on Visit: None
Last Visited: June 16, 2019
Creek Elevation: Headwaters at Extortion Lake at 1803 feet. Mouth at Cross Bay Lake at 1708 feet. Average of 47 feet per mile of elevation loss.
Water Clarity: N/A
ROUTES/PORTAGES FROM EXTORTION CREEK:
To Cross Bay Lake: Paddle In
To Extortion Lake: Virtually impassable bushwhack
Extortion Creek
Gunflint Ranger District
This scenic creek begins at Extortion Lake and flows about 2 miles before reaching its mouth at Cross Bay Lake. The creek can be paddled easily up to the first natural barrier. Further travel upstream would be very difficult.
A fairly recent fire left scars on the south bank of Extortion Creek close to where it flows into Cross Bay Lake. Haven't found any good references as to the cause of this fire. It is not part of the Ham Lake fire that occurred just northwest of here.
Extortion Creek is named for Extortion Lake of course. Extortion Lake is mentioned in the book Cabin Lessons: A Nail-by-Nail Tale by Spike Carlsen in Chapter 1. Mentions someone used to own 40 acres along the lake. No information on whether they were extortionists...
Extortion Lake (which is located just outside of the BWCA) is managed by the Minnesota DNR as a trout lake and is stocked with rainbow trout. Access to the lake is from the Gunflint Trail.
