States Bordering Lake Superior and Their Shared Land-Use Categories

Lake Superior—the largest freshwater lake by surface area (82,100 km²)—forms part of the border of three US states:

• Minnesota (north shore)
• Wisconsin (south shore)
• Michigan (Upper Peninsula, south/east shore)

(Ontario, Canada, borders the north/northeast shore.)

Common Land-Use Categories Across All Three States

Despite different economies and populations, the Lake Superior coastal regions in MN, WI, and MI share these dominant land uses:

• Forests — Mixed coniferous/deciduous (boreal transition); logging, recreation, conservation.
• Wetlands — Coastal marshes, peatlands, estuaries; critical for water quality, fish nursery, flood storage.
• Agriculture — Limited by climate/soil; hay, small grains, pasture near shore; more row crops inland (especially WI).
• Urban/Residential Development — Port cities: Duluth (MN), Superior (WI), Marquette, Houghton (MI); seasonal lakefront housing.
• Mining — Historic iron (Mesabi, Gogebic, Marquette ranges); copper (Keweenaw); modern taconite, frac sand.
• Recreation/Tourism — State/national parks (Apostle Islands, Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks), fishing, boating, winter sports.

Management Coordination

The Lake Superior Binational Program (US-Canada) and Great Lakes Commission coordinate water quality, habitat restoration, and sustainable development across these shared land uses.