Major Water Bodies Bordering Minnesota

Minnesota, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," is defined by significant boundary waters:

• Lake Superior (NE): World's largest freshwater lake by surface area. Forms the northeastern border. North Shore is iconic.
• Lake of the Woods (N): Straddles MN/ON/MB border. The "Northwest Angle" exclave is accessible only via this lake or Canada.
• Rainy River (N): Flows west from Rainy Lake to Lake of the Woods; forms part of the US-Canada (Ontario) border.
• Red River of the North (W): Flows north along the ND/MN border into Lake Winnipeg (Hudson Bay drainage). Rich agricultural valley.
• Mississippi River (E): Headwaters at Lake Itasca (MN). Forms the WI/MN border downstream from St. Cloud to IA border.

Additionally, the St. Croix River forms the lower WI/MN border (National Scenic Riverway).