Dailey Township near Onamia in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Rum River
Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2025
1. The Rum River Marker
The Rum River is one of Minnesota's wild, scenic, and recreational rivers system. Its source is Lake Mille Lacs from which it winds south for 145 miles until it reaches the Mississippi River at Anoka. The adjacent map shows a 50 mile segment of the river between Lake Mille Lacs and Milaca.
The Rum River's history is as interesting as its name and is thought to be the result of a mistranslation of the Dakota Indian name "Spirit" to "Rum" by white settlers. The Dakota were the original residents of the Lake Mille Lacs and Rum River area. They referred to Lake Mille Lacs as the "Spirit Lake" and the river was known as the "River of Good Spirits."
During the mid-1800's fur trade in Minnesota was declining and logging became the state's most rapidly growing industry. The Rum River was situated in the center of the great pine lands which began 40 miles north of Minneapolis. The St. Croix, Snake, Kettle and Rum Rivers all served as river highways for logs from the great forests of white and red pine. From the early 1850's to the early 1870's thousands of logs floated downstream on the rum river into the Mississippi and
this page online
Canoes and inner tubes now float down the Rum River instead of logs. Old remnants of the logs can be found in some of the deeper pools in the river.
Often the old logs are decorated with fishing lures, as this portion of the Rum River is well known for its smallmouth bass fishing. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries surveys, about one-half of the total fish population in this segment of river is comprised of smallmouth bass. However, walleyes and northern pike are also common.
Fishing success varies greatly and is probably influenced more by the water level of the river than any other single factor. During periods of high water levels, fishing is usually not as productive as during periods of moderate to low water levels. Unfortunately these moderate to low water conditions make canoeing more difficult, since additional rocks are exposed and one must get out of the canoe to walk it through the shallow areas of the river.
For more information regarding the levels of the Rum River and other wild, scenic and recreational
Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2025
2. Rum River Marker (left) on the back porch of the Rum River Rest Area building
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 45° 55.477′ N, 93° 39.894′ W. Marker is near Onamia, Minnesota, in Mille Lacs County. It is in Dailey Township. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 169 and 262nd Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is at the Rum River Rest Area, on the back porch of the restroom building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Onamia MN 56359, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Rum River Rest Area (here, next to this marker).
More about this marker. The rest area can be accessed from either direction of travel on U.S. 169.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 31, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on May 30, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
