Pine & Curry Island SNA

164 Acres Located from Baudette 11 miles W on MN Hwy 11, then 8.2 miles N on Co Hwy 4 to Lake of the Woods, then by boat a few miles east to the island. Lake of the Woods County Twp 162N Rng 31W Sec 06 Type: Coniferous Forest ECS Subsection: Agassiz Lowlands

Description:

Pine & Curry Island, along with Morris Point to the southwest, form a conspicuous sandspit approximately 4 miles long. This sandspit provides habitat for the only remaining nesting population of piping plover, a federal threatened species, in Minnesota. This small, sandy colored shorebird is declining alarmingly throughout its range, due in part to loss of undisturbed sandy beaches for nesting. Pine and Curry Island also supports a nesting population of the common tern, a species that is very rare in the state. Because both species are very sensitive to disturbance, sanctuary areas are closed to the public from April 15 to September 1. Due to high water levels and northerly winds, the shape of the islands is constantly changing. The rock sandwort, a very rare plant, is also found in considerable numbers on the island. The SNA provides great opportunities for observing and photographing many species of shorebirds over most of the island outside sanctuaries. Picnicking and swimming are allowed in designated shorelunch areas only.

Plant List

Visitor notes:

Note: Nesting sanctuaries as posted are closed to all activity from April 15 through September 1.