Leaf River (Minnesota)

The Leaf rises from the Leaf Lakes chain (West, Middle and East) in northeastern Otter Tail County and flows generally east past the town of Bluffton into southern Wadena County. It joins the Crow Wing River from the west in Thomastown Township, about 10 miles (16 km) north-northwest of the town of Staples and about 1 mile (2 km) upstream of the mouth of the Partridge River. On the Crow between the Leaf and Partridge rivers are sites of pre-settlement fur trading posts.

The Leaf's largest tributaries are the Wing River and the Redeye River, both of which join it in Wadena County.

Leaf River serves as land-cession boundary for the 1847 Treaty of Washington, signed between the Pillager Chippewas and the United States, and for the land-cession boundaries for the 1855 Treaty of Washington, signed between the Mississippi Chippewas, Pillager Chippewas and the United States. The land ceded to the United States by the Pillagers in 1847 was sold to the Menomini, but the Menomini refused removal out of Wisconsin and subsequently sold the land to the United States in 1854.

Fishing is popular on the leaf river. Species that resides in the leaf river include walleye, rock bass, Northern Pike, Carp and suckers.

46.4296848°N 94.8141848°W / 46.4296848; -94.8141848[2]

• List of rivers of Minnesota