Timber Logging in Trout Lake Township corresponds with the exhibits and re-enactments at the
Minnesota Forest History Center, a site just 10 miles distant. The 1890s to 1910 was the "golden era" of lumbering in Minnesota. According to local interviews archived at the Iron Range Research Center, there were
logging camps in the township. Settlers worked to provide railroad ties. Today, private landowners are encouraged to manage the forest through organizations such as the Minnesota Forestry Association, and to enroll in Woodland Stewardship Plans. Itasca County, certified by the
Forest Stewardship Council, manages tax forfeited public properties in Trout Lake Township for timber; cover type aspen-birch.
Iron ore Iron ore was processed into
taconite at the Trout Lake Washing and Concentrator Plant, 1907-1970. The plant, and the adjacent Trout Lake, provided it with a convenient location to deposit its tailings, which were pumped into the lake for nearly three decades. The
Oliver Iron Mining Company's concentrator plant, its power station on the lake, and the workers' Bugaloosa location, are now gone. and for benefits from the
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
Water The natural water system is in the Prairie-Willow Subbasin, of the Mississippi Headwaters Basin, within the
Upper Mississippi Region. It is in Supervisor District 4 of the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District. Besides several creeks and Swan River, there are seven protected lakes. Each has a distinguishing number in the state’s identification system. The lakes are: • #310206 Mud at 69.67 acres with a maximum depth of 5 feet • #310207 Bass at 100 acres with 16 feet maximum • #310208 Sampson at 17.24 acres (depth unknown) • #310209 Round at 100.61 acres with 16 feet maximum • #310210 Blackberry at 254 acres with 20 feet maximum • #310214 Clearwater at 131.59 acres with 16 feet maximum • #310216 Trout at 1862.08 with 135 feet maximum Bass, Clearwater, and Round lakes are classified by Itasca County as "phosphorus sensitive lakes". Blackberry and Mud lakes are on the state's inventory for
wild rice. Trout lake has not had trout species since the 1940s. It is classified as a Cisco Refuge Lake because it has deep, cold water. The state maintains a boat landing on the southeast end of Trout Lake. It adjoins a campground that was previously a public park. Historically, the park was for company picnics of the Oliver Mining Company. It transferred to Greenway
Lions Club and developed into Kom-On-In Beach and Recreation Area with the aid of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. After approximately half a century, the property was sold and is now Trout Lake RV Park and Campground.
Wildlife Fishing, hunting and trapping are regulated by federal and state laws, managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), and enforced by MN DNR conservation officers and Itasca County Sheriff's Department.
Alder Pond Ruffed Grouse Management Area and recreation trail system are on 190 acres located between town sections 29 and 32. It is managed by Itasca County, with Grand Rapids
Ruffed Grouse Society and MN DNR as partners. The public trails are used for hiking, horseback riding, and hunting, plus 6.03 miles are groomed by Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club for
cross-country skiing.
Trout Lake Eagle Wildlife Management Area preserves three eagle nests and several potential white pine nesting trees. The area is one of the longest known
bald eagle nesting sites in Minnesota. Two parcels of undeveloped land (located on opposite sides of Trout Lake) were purchased by a joint effort of MN DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) and
the Nature Conservancy. ==Community==