Welcome to Walker in Cass County MN

Leech Lake, Heartland Trail, Paul Bunyan Trail, Eelpout, Moondance, Walker Bay Days

Walker is considered the main tourist center for much of Cass County and neighboring Hubbard County in Northern Minnesota. This pleasant town is a perfect place to settle down and enjoy the everyday adventures of downtown and lake life, to own lake property to relax on during the vacation seasons, and to visit during the various different local events and gatherings. The average warm season temperatures are right around 70F, in the winter the average temperature is 10F, and there is plenty of sunshine throughout the majority of the year. According to the 2010 census, the population of Walker was 941. The average household size was two people, and just under half of the average households in Walker are family households.

Many people find Walker an ideal location to reside and buy property because of the colleges and universities available in the surrounding Northern Minnesota area. Within an 110 mile radius of Walker, there are seven colleges and universities with over 2,000 students. Ranging from nearest to farthest of Walker, these colleges and universities include: Bemidji State University, Central Lakes College - Brainerd Campus, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Alexandria Technical and Community College, Northland Community and Technical College, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, and Concordia College in Moorhead.

Lakes, Lakes, Lakes

There are hundreds of lakes of all sizes in the surrounding Walker area. Many of the lakes are surrounded by a network of trails, campgrounds, and resorts, bringing in guests from all over Northern Minnesota. There are also plenty of water recreation actives for all ages to enjoy. Boating, sailing, tubing, jet skiing, swimming, and lounging on the beach are just a few. However, fishing is the biggest lake-related attraction, and many of the lakes surrounding Walker offer a wide variety of fish, including black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, and big trophy fish like muskie and walleye.

Leech Lake

Leech Lake is the third largest lake in Minnesota with 316 miles of irregular shoreline and beautiful blue water that reaches a maximum depth of 150 feet. Walker is located just off of highway 371, along Walker Bay on the west side of Leech Lake. There are many public accesses available on the lake. The U.S. Forest Service has a concrete public access located at Stony Point, the Corps of Engineers has one at Federal Dam, and the City of Walker maintains a concrete public access at the Walker City Park. The DNR has concrete public access locations at Ericson Landing, Point View, and Whipholt, an asphalt public access at Shingobee Bay, and an earthen public access at Brevik.

The lake is known for it's numerous coves, inlets, and bays which provide the ideal waters for swimming, boating, sailing, water skiing, and fishing. Leech Lake is nationally recognized as a game fish lake, and often considered best in the Midwest. Fishing is popular during both the summer and winter seasons. Northern pike, walleye, muskie, eelpout, bass, crappies, bluegill, jumbo perch, and a diverse variety of pan fish are known to populate Leech Lake. Leech Lake hosts an annual Walleye Tournament that brings in fishermen from the area every year. The tournament is a non-profit family event with proceeds that go to the area organizations.

Heartland Trail and Paul Bunyan Trail

Besides water recreation, the Walker area also offers a huge network of trails from the Heartland State Trail and Paul Bunyan Trail. Both of these trails are paved. The Heartland Trail and Paul Bunyan Trail are popular among hikers, joggers, bicyclists, nature trackers and bird watchers in the warm seasons. Snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing are popular during the winter season. Many of the main sections of the trails are maintained throughout the winter, when volunteers routinely remove debris to keep the trails safe for snowmobilers, and accessible for the cross country skiers.

The number of attractions and events held in Walker to entertain residents and visitors in the Leech Lake area are endless. In town, there is the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame Museum, the Outlet Center which holds many cultural attractions, events, and facilities, and the Leech Lake Guide Coalition that offers tours and charters for those who want to explore the area. Some smaller events that Walker is known for hosting are the Cajun Fest, Crazy Days, and the Women's Expo. Walker also has a large variety of restaurants, shopping, arts, museums, sightseeing, and other entertainment opportunities available.

Eelpout Festival

In February, Walker hosts the annual Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake that brings in ten times the population of the town over a period of three days. The festival offers an Eelpout Derby, a variety of fishing shows, and the popular Polar Pout Plunge that people in Minnesota anticipate all year long. Food and drinks are available at the Coors Keg Castle, who hosts the great Eelpout Fish Fry.

Walker's busy season is during the months of May, June, July, and August when the town is booming with exciting concerts, tournaments, and the annual Fourth of July Celebration.

Moondance Festivals

Walker presents two Moondance festivals during the summer. Moondance Jammin Country Fest and Moondance Jam both provide guests with a weekend of music, camping, friends, and family. The Moondance festivals pull in visitors from all over Minnesota and it's sister states North Dakota, South Dakota, and even Wisconsin. There is firewood, ice, fresh water, RV water filling and pumping services, and showers available for all campers, to help make their stay an enjoyable one. Many campers go out and explore Walker during the day and then return to the festival in the evening. The Northern Lights Casino, located south of Walker off highway 371 and on 200, is a very popular place where guests go for food and other sources of entertainment.

Walker Bay Days

The most exciting local event hosted by Walker is the Walker Bay Days located in the Walker City Park on the Walker Bay of Leech Lake. This family focused event is free to the public and hosted by the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The citizens of Walker and visitors of the Leech Lake area come from all over Northern and Central Minnesota and gather around in the City Park to celebrate the community pride and commitment to the preservation of the Leech Lake area, it's natural resources, and cultural history. There are a variety of fun activities offered for all ages including a raffle drawing, a 5k run, game booths, a volleyball tournament, bingo, inflatable fun houses and slides, and a Pow-Wow exhibition. The city's Fleet Sails also provide sailboat rides to the public on the beautiful Leech Lake. There are plenty of food and beverage vendors that are available all day.

There is always something different for everyone to enjoy in the Walker area. Whether it is indoor entertainment like catching a movie, checking out one of the museums, or shopping around, or spending time in the great outdoors at the park, at an event, or on the lake, Walker is the place to be. For qualified help with any of your real estate needs in the Walker area, please contact Jack Brann today.