Lake Itasca covers an area of 4.7 km², with average depths ranging from 6 to 11 meters, situated at an elevation of 450 meters above sea level.
The Mississippi River originates from this lake and continues its course for 3770 km until it flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Itasca Lake is fed by the Nicolet stream and a stream from the nearby smaller Lake Eik. Although there had been suggestions that the source of the river might extend to Lake Eik, research has shown that the adjacent lake is too small to sustain the Mississippi, hence the river is considered to originate from Lake Itasca.
Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch in Lake Itasca.Other fish species in the lake include Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Creek Chub, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Northern Redbelly Dace, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
