La Salle Lake State Recreation Area Planning
The La Salle Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) is one of Minnesota's newest SRAs, authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2011. La Salle Lake SRA is located eight miles north of Itasca State Park on Hubbard County Road 9. The 1,000-acre property includes the entire shoreline of La Salle Lake, a 221-acre lake that is 213 feet deep. The opportunities currently available at the state recreation area include hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and trapping. A water access on the lake is open, but with limited parking. A campground and cabins are also available for reservation.
Draft management plan available for public review
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Trails is releasing for public review and comment a draft management plan for La Salle Lake State Recreation Area. The management plan sets the direction for the state recreation area for the next 15-20 years and includes recommendations for managing natural and cultural resources and providing recreational and interpretative opportunities for recreation area visitors.
Review the draft management plan 
(6.3 MB)
The public review period will be open through Friday, June 29, 2012.
How to comment
Comments on the draft management plan can be sent to Jade Templin, principal planner via email to jade.templin@state.mn.us or mail to:
Jade Templin, AICP
DNR Division of Parks and Trails
500 Lafayette Road, Box 39
St. Paul, MN 55155-4039
As part of the public review, an open house will be held for anyone interested in providing comments about the draft management plan or learning more about the state recreation area. The open house will be held at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center at Itasca State Park on June 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. DNR staff will be available at the open house to answer questions and receive comments about the draft plan.
Past public input
There were numerous opportunities for people with an interest in the SRA to be involved during the planning process. An open house was held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 to begin gathering input from the public about the future activities and facilities at La Salle Lake SRA. DNR planners and regional staff were available to share information, answer questions, and discuss the many issues involved in planning the SRA. Materials from the open house are available here:
Open house handouts
Open house maps
- La Salle Lake SRA existing facilities and features
- La Salle Lake SRA nearby recreational opportunities
- La Salle Lake SRA adjacent land ownership
A citizen advisory committee (CAC) was established to assist with the development of the management plan. This group met several times over the last couple months to provide input and help review recommendations for the management plan. Materials from the meetings are available here:
Citizen Advisory Committee materials
- CAC first meeting agenda and handouts
- CAC first meeting summary notes
- CAC second meeting agenda and handouts
- CAC second meeting summary notes
- CAC second meeting potential on-road biking connections map
- CAC third meeting agenda and handouts
- CAC third meeting summary notes
- Preliminary draft for CAC discussion - La Salle Lake SRA manangement plan
The CAC process is complete and the information from the CAC was utilized in developing the draft of the management plan.
More information
Jade Templin, principal planner
Email jade.templin@state.mn.us, phone 651-259-5598