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Bena, Minnesota Community Guide

Bena is a city in Cass County, Minnesota. US Highway 2 serves as a main route in the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.29 km²), all of it land. The elevation is 1,316 ft (401 m) above sea level.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As of the census of 2010, there were 116 people, 43 households, and 24 families residing in the city. The population density was 232.0 inhabitants per square mile (89.6/km2). There were 60 housing units at an average density of 120.0 per square mile (46.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 19.8% White, 69.0% Native American, and 11.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 43 households of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 18.6% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 16.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.2% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.79.

The median age in the city was 30.5 years. 32.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

Bena, a city adjoining the most southern bay of Lake Winnibigoshish, in T. 145N, R. 28W, sections 26, 27, and 34, on the Leech Lake Reservation; incorporated as a village on November 14, 1906. It had a station of the Great Northern Railway in section 27, and its post office was established in 1898, with Ernest Flemming, owner of the hotel and dealer in general merchandise and heavy hauling, as postmaster. Its name is the Ojibwe word meaning "a partridge," spelled binT in Frederic Baraga's Dictionary of the Ojibway Language. This game bird species, formerly common throughout the wooded region of this state, is the ruffed grouse, called the "partridge" in New England and in Minnesota, but less correctly known as the "pheasant" in the middle and southern states. Henry W. Longfellow used this word in his Song of Hiawatha: "Heard the pheasant, Bena, drumming."

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Pioneer Businessman Founds Bena

Ernest Flemming, one of the first people to settle the town of Bena, was an enterprising young man.

Born in 1865 in Minneapolis, he delivered the Minneapolis Tribune when he was 10, became a cookee in a lumbercamp at 17, and was delivering ice cream by horse and wagon by the age of 19.

As he grew older, he made a living cooking in lumber camps, including those in the area near Backus and Pine River. After spending a number of years as a cook, however, Flemming began a business of his own. He moved to a point just north of Federal Dam in Cass County, and built a general store and other buildings from logs. His new business helped put Bena on the map.

Ernest Flemming Remembers ..

My first log stopping place was two stories high and built lumberjack style. I had steel beds upstairs for lumberjacks and charged them 25¢ a night. My wife ran the stopping place and I ran the store later on. We had a cook and a cookee. We ourselves lived in a separate house, or, at least, were separated from the hotel rooms.

For the meals everyone sat at a table, the same as at a lumber camp. Traveling men used to come in for Sunday. We charged 25¢ a meal.

We didn't have any bedbugs around here. We worked hard to keep them down. The traveling men would have them most — picking them up at various hotels. The lumberjacks didn't have any around camp.

After I got a little money I got some groceries and dry goods. They were pretty cheap then. The Indians couldn't go very far and had to trade with me. They brought in mink, muskrat, fox, wolf, coon and bear hides, and I paid them with money as much as they could get from anybody. Hides weren't worth much — muskrat 10¢ apiece and it had to be a good rat. too — couldn't be damaged. Bear hides weren't rare and we could get good money for them. Mink was worth about $3 a hide. The skins were all stretched and dried; they wouldn't keep otherwise. I usually sold to a fur buyer from St. Paul, who came through here. If I didn't like his price I wouldn't sell to him but wait until someone else from another place would come through and give me my price.

I also bought blueberries and rice from the Indians — anything they had — and gave them the money. Then I sold to them.

I expected and intended there would be a town here [where Bena is now], but I sat for 12 years, from 1898 on, before a town was organized.

From "In Our Own Backyard" by Carol Russell
© 1979, North Central Minnesota Historical Center

Flemming's Lake Winnibigoshish Tourist Camp, Bena Minnesota Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Visit The Bena Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos

Bena City Hall 38 County Road 8 PO Box 26 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2261 Regular Business Hours: none; by appointment only City Council Meeting: 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 pm
Title	Term ends	Name and Address		Phone
Mayor	12/31/2022	Patrick Rooney 15017 16th Street NE - PO Box 8 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 256-2196
Clerk	appointed	Cecilia Donnell PO Box 26 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 665-2261
Council Member	12/31/2022	Robert Zygutis PO Box 55 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 760-1734
Council Member	12/31/2022	Samantha Haynes 104 1st Avenue E - PO Box 54 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 444-5761
Council Member	12/31/2024	Bryan Finn 406 1st Avenue S - PO Box 62 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 308-5691
Council Member	12/31/2024	Stephanie Anwiler PO Box 37 Bena MN, 56626		(218) 398-3589

US Post Office 38 County Road 8 Bena, MN 56626-1042 Phone: (218) 665-2214 Toll Free: (800) ASK USPS Regular Business Hours: Week Days        8:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday           8:00 am - 8:30 am

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Minnesota State Highway Map of the Bena Minnesota area

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Lake Name	Size (acres)	Lake info	Lake Map	Rec Map	Topo Map
Ball Club	3,936
Drumbeater Lake	260	n/a
Leech Lake	111,527
Portage Lake	1,488
Six Mile Lake	1,288
Winnibigoshish	53,425

Schools:

Cass Lake-Bena Schools Independent School District #115 208 Central Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2204 Grades:  PK-12 Students:  1,191
Cass Lake-Bena High School 15314 State Highway 371 NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2203 Fax: (218) 335-7649 Grades:  9-12 Students:  202
Cass Lake-Bena Middle School 15314 State Highway 371 NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2203 Fax: (218) 335-1194 Grades:  5-8 Students:  325
Cass Lake-Bena Elementary School 15 4th Street NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2201 Fax: (218) 335-8538 Grades:  PK-4 Students:  546
Bug O Nay Ge Shig School 15353 Silver Eagle Drive NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 335-3000 Toll Free: (800) 265-5576 Grades:  Students:

Bena Alliance Church 121 State Highway 8 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2344 Pastor:  n/a Sunday Worship:  n/a
St. Anne's Catholic Church Bena, MN 56626 Phone: none Note: St. Anne's is now closed

Check for motel rates and availability on:

Becker's Resort 17048 Wild Rice Drive NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2268 Toll Free: (800) 348-1329 Where the Mississippi meets Lake Winnibigoshish. Premier family vacation destination with world-class fishing in one of Minnesota’s most famous walleye fisheries. Big Winnie is well known for it superb walleye, northern pike, muskie and jumbo perch fishing. If you are looking for that perfect fishing or family vacation, look no further than Becker’s Resort on Big Winnie. Where 95% of the 140 miles of shoreline on Lake Winnibigoshish is uninhabited. Becker’s Resort is located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest where wildlife abound in the pristine beauty of the forest.
Big Fish Supper Club and Resort 456 US Highway 2 NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2299 The Big Fish Supper Club and Resort adjacent to Lake Winnibigoshish and a short distance from the north side of Leech Lake offers guests accommondations for family fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and ATV riding. Our cabins are clean and comfortable and open year around. We also provide a fish cleaning house for our guests. All units are air conditioned, Direct TV, wireless internet, a complete kitchen with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and coffer maker. They also have clock radios, cooking utensils, and all linens are furnished except towels, both bath and kitchen.
Cherney's Resort 13887 6 Mile Lake Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2271 Cherney's Resort is the only lodging on Six Mile Lake located six miles from Bena, Minnesota. It has been owned and operated by the Cherney family since 1945. All cabins are lakeshore and surround the lodge which is a nightly gathering spot. Not only is Cherney's a great fishing location, but its uniqueness of being the only resort on the lake makes it a retreat back to the days of giving your kids freedom to roam by themselves.
Denny's Resort 15017 16th Avenue NE PO Box 8 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2222 Toll Free: (888) 665-2298 Denny's Resort is located at the Southern end of Lake Winnibigoshish, also known as Lake Winnie, nearest to the town of Bena, Minnesota. It is conveniently located on State Highway 2, about 35 miles West of Grand Rapids and 20 miles East of Cass Lake. Established in 1932, Denny's Resort is one of the oldest fishing resorts on Lake Winnie and is located nearest to some of the best walleye and perch structure on the lake. We also have great pike fishing and some excellent muskie fishing.
Four Seasons Resort 952 River Drive NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2231 We offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from cooking, we also have complete dining facilities.  We have everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas, oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house, and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See Rates for more information and packages.
Iowana Beach Resort 14877 Iowana Beach Road NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2311 Toll Free: (877) 665-2311 Iowana Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between Grand Rapids and Bemidji, Minnesota. With only two resorts on the lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake.
McArdle's Resort 1014 W Winnie Road NW Bena, Minnesota 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2212 Toll Free: (800) 535-2398 McArdle’s Resort has long been a fixture on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish. Located near Bena, MN in the heart of the Northwoods our resort has been catering to fishermen and their families since the 1920s. Here you will find everything you need for a great Minnesota vacation no matter what the season. From early spring through late fall our guests can choose to stay in one of our 23 comfortable cabins which are fully furnished with all the amenities necessary to enjoy your stay up north. From ultra deluxe to  modern, our cabins feature northwoods charm, great extras and a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Winnie. Campers appreciate our campground with its five RV campsites complete with full hook-ups and modern shower facilities. We even offer sleeping rooms to accommodate overflow from our cabins or campground and for guests wanting short stays.
Nodak Lodge 15080 Nodak Drive Bena, MN  56626 Phone: (218) 665-2226 Toll Free: (800) 752-2758 Amid wetlands, gently rolling hills and 1.6 million acres of national forest, Nodak Lodge is the premier family, fishing and hunting destination for families looking to enjoy the wilderness of northern Minnesota. The undeveloped shores of Lake Winnibigoshish offer a pristine, peaceful experience in one of the area's best walleye fisheries. Our private, sandy beach is a perfect place to enjoy the summer sun without big crowds, and kids love our playground, heated swimming pool and game room.
Sunset Beach Resort 14703 Portage Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2324 Toll Free: (800) 437-4840 Portage Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest.  You won't find the lake crowded with other people or a lot of boats.  There are just two resorts and 12 private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline.   It is about 4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes - Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there.  You won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send you in the right direction.

New Leech Lake Campground 12962 Sunset Beach Road NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 654-3785 New Leech Lake Campground is open year round for summer and winter ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and ATVing. We are located on Portage Bay at the north end of Leech Lake. We offer seasonal, primitive tenting, and full hookup campsites. We have two housekeeping apartments (like cabins) above our lodge that are set up to be used individually or with a door that opens to allow the two apartments to become one. These apartments are available for a daily and weekly rate. Leech Lake Campground is an affordable, friendly fishing camp and a great safe place for children to play outside in nature!

Big Winnie Store RV Park & Campground 1510 US Highway 2 NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2585 Big Winnie Store RV Park is one of the most famous sites in Northern Minnesota. This Federally recognized historic landmark has been serving Minnesotans since 1932. Nestled in the center of the Chippewa National Forest, this historic treasure gives you a glimpse of the Skillmanship, art and design that is a prime example of 1930s Bavarian Architecture. We provide a full convenience store, Full Hook-up RV campsites, Restrooms, showers and Laundromat.

Becker's Resort 17048 Wild Rice Drive NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2268 Toll Free: (800) 348-1329 Where the Mississippi meets Lake Winnibigoshish. Premier family vacation destination with world-class fishing in one of Minnesota’s most famous walleye fisheries. Big Winnie is well known for it superb walleye, northern pike, muskie and jumbo perch fishing. If you are looking for that perfect fishing or family vacation, look no further than Becker’s Resort on Big Winnie. Where 95% of the 140 miles of shoreline on Lake Winnibigoshish is uninhabited. Becker’s Resort is located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest where wildlife abound in the pristine beauty of the forest.
Bena City Hall 38 County Road 8 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2261
Big Fish Supper Club and Resort 456 US Highway 2 NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2333 The Big Fish Supper Club is on Hwy. 2 just outside of Bena, Minnesota, about halfway between Bemidji and Grand Rapids. The restaurant itself is in a normal building beside the fish. At one point, there was a hamburger stand inside the fish's belly, but that's long since been closed. Now it's just a roadside oddity. Fun tip: you can stand inside the mouth and pose for a picture. They only put the teeth in during the summer, though.
Big Winnie Cafe 3 County Road 8 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2265
Big Winnie Store RV Park & Campground 1510 US Highway 2 NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2585 Big Winnie Store RV Park is one of the most famous sites in Northern Minnesota. This Federally recognized historic landmark has been serving Minnesotans since 1932. Nestled in the center of the Chippewa National Forest, this historic treasure gives you a glimpse of the Skillmanship, art and design that is a prime example of 1930s Bavarian Architecture. We provide a full convenience store, Full Hook-up RV campsites, Restrooms, showers and Laundromat.
Cherney's Resort 13887 6 Mile Lake Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2271 Cherney's Resort is the only lodging on Six Mile Lake located six miles from Bena, Minnesota. It has been owned and operated by the Cherney family since 1945. All cabins are lakeshore and surround the lodge which is a nightly gathering spot. Not only is Cherney's a great fishing location, but its uniqueness of being the only resort on the lake makes it a retreat back to the days of giving your kids freedom to roam by themselves.
Denny's Resort 15017 16th Avenue NE PO Box 8 Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2222 Toll Free: (888) 665-2298 Denny's Resort is located at the Southern end of Lake Winnibigoshish, also known as Lake Winnie, nearest to the town of Bena, Minnesota. It is conveniently located on State Highway 2, about 35 miles West of Grand Rapids and 20 miles East of Cass Lake. Established in 1932, Denny's Resort is one of the oldest fishing resorts on Lake Winnie and is located nearest to some of the best walleye and perch structure on the lake. We also have great pike fishing and some excellent muskie fishing.
Four Seasons Resort 952 River Drive NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2231 We offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from cooking, we also have complete dining facilities.  We have everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas, oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house, and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See Rates for more information and packages.
Great River Ranch 15152 W Winnie Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 591-7487 Family run farm raising Myotonic and Nigerian Dwarf goats.
Iowana Beach Resort 14877 Iowana Beach Road NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2311 Toll Free: (877) 665-2311 Iowana Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between Grand Rapids and Bemidji, Minnesota. With only two resorts on the lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake.
Johnson Lumber Company 15149 W Winnie Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2368 Established in 1949, Johnson Lumber Company is a family owned and operated sawmill and retail lumber yard specializing in meeting all your needs for building your dream home and helping meet your home improvement goals. What sets us apart are our circular sawmill and commercial planer which allow us to prepare custom orders using almost every variety of wood species native to the northwoods. We proudly go the extra mile for our customers and serve our surrounding communities including Bemidji, Bena, Cass Lake, Grand Rapids, Walker, Leech Lake and more!
McArdle's Resort 1014 W Winnie Road NW Bena, Minnesota 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2212 Toll Free: (800) 535-2398 McArdle’s Resort has long been a fixture on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish. Located near Bena, MN in the heart of the Northwoods our resort has been catering to fishermen and their families since the 1920s. Here you will find everything you need for a great Minnesota vacation no matter what the season. From early spring through late fall our guests can choose to stay in one of our 23 comfortable cabins which are fully furnished with all the amenities necessary to enjoy your stay up north. From ultra deluxe to  modern, our cabins feature northwoods charm, great extras and a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake Winnie. Campers appreciate our campground with its five RV campsites complete with full hook-ups and modern shower facilities. We even offer sleeping rooms to accommodate overflow from our cabins or campground and for guests wanting short stays.
New Leech Lake Campground 12962 Sunset Beach Road NW Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 654-3785 New Leech Lake Campground is open year round for summer and winter ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and ATVing. We are located on Portage Bay at the north end of Leech Lake. We offer seasonal, primitive tenting, and full hookup campsites. We have two housekeeping apartments (like cabins) above our lodge that are set up to be used individually or with a door that opens to allow the two apartments to become one. These apartments are available for a daily and weekly rate. Leech Lake Campground is an affordable, friendly fishing camp and a great safe place for children to play outside in nature!
Nodak Lodge 15080 Nodak Drive Bena, MN  56626 Phone: (218) 665-2226 Toll Free: (800) 752-2758 Amid wetlands, gently rolling hills and 1.6 million acres of national forest, Nodak Lodge is the premier family, fishing and hunting destination for families looking to enjoy the wilderness of northern Minnesota. The undeveloped shores of Lake Winnibigoshish offer a pristine, peaceful experience in one of the area's best walleye fisheries. Our private, sandy beach is a perfect place to enjoy the summer sun without big crowds, and kids love our playground, heated swimming pool and game room.
Sunset Beach Resort 14703 Portage Road NE Bena, MN 56626 Phone: (218) 665-2324 Toll Free: (800) 437-4840 Portage Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest.  You won't find the lake crowded with other people or a lot of boats.  There are just two resorts and 12 private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline.   It is about 4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes - Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there.  You won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send you in the right direction.
US Post Office 38 County Road 8 Bena, MN 56626-1042 Phone: (218) 665-2214 Toll Free: (800) ASK USPS Regular Business Hours: Week Days        8:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday           8:00 am - 8:30 am

Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR - click map to zoom or enlarge 

 
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