St. Louis River Flora & Fauna

The Estuary is home to a diverse array of native animal species.
Below are a list of some of the common birds, mammals, fish, plants & trees you could see while on the St. Louis River Estuary Water Trail.

Birds

Over 230 bird species have been documented in the lower St. Louis River. This area is both a critical migratory stopover and an important breeding area.  In addition to songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds, the rare common tern is making a comeback due to cleaner waters and habitat restoration.  You may even catch a glimpse of pelicans in their spring migration! 

Mammals

You will likely see woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, mink, beaver and the playful otter, among hundreds of other small mammals.  The black bear, white-tailed deer, coyotes and red fox will make their appearance as you navigate the wild areas of the river. 

Fish

The most popular fish in the St. Louis River may be the walleye, but the pre-historic sturgeon is making a comeback.  Habitat restoration is leading to the natural spawning of this endangered species and scientists are hopeful they are here to stay.  You may even get a close encounter with one of these giants rolling on the water! Other fish such as muskellunge, northern pike, and smallmouth bass as well as panfish are plentiful and are year-round residents. 

Plants & Trees

The shores are lined with red, white, and jack pine, white and burr oak, sugar and silver maples, spruce, cedar, basswood, birch and many more.  Cattails, black-eyed susans, waterlilies, milkweed, iris, and buttercups are just a few of the plants you will see.  

Perhaps the most important plant in the Estuary is manoomin (wild rice). Manoomin is a water quality indicator and provides important habitat for fish and wildlife. Help protect this precious resource by learning about our restoration efforts & the SLRA Wild Rice Project!