Tofte is located in Minnesota’s Cook County. It is a lovely harbor community of 226 and is nestled on the beautiful and rugged shore of Lake Superior on a rocky outcropping called Bluefin Bay along Highway 61. John and Andrew Tofte and brother in law, Hans Engelson, first came to Lake Superior’s North shore in search of a place which looked like home. Their quest had ended when they first saw Rock Point and Bluefin Bay. They staked their claim and soon established themselves as commercial fishermen, just as they had in Norway. Their first trips proved so successful that they set about building the twin fish houses, one side for Hans and the other of John and Andrew. Fish from Lake Superior were always fresh and delicious and soon these fishermen were sending their catch to market in Duluth, the Twin Cities and even Chicago. Lake Superior trout and bluefin became famous for their unique taste and freshness. The Twin Fish house was replaced long ago by Tommy Hansen’s Edgewater Resort, now the striking Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts. The area boasts an excellent network of trails: the Superior Hiking Trail in the summer, and the Nordic ski trails maintained by the Sugarbush Trail Association. The charming Tofte town park is nestled along the shoreline, just off Highway 61, and is a perfect place for a picnic. Temperance River State Park features lovely trails along the dramatic Temperance River Gorge. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail bicycle trail offers a family-friendly paved trail that stretched for 11 miles along the shore of Lake Superior. Be sure to visit the Visitor Tofte Information Center in the NorthShore Commercial Fishing Museum for maps and brochures on businesses, attractions and lodging. The knowledgeable staff is ready to answer questions about the area. The North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum is a wonderful stop to explore the lives and livelihood of the early North Shore fishing families! It includes artifacts like an original Mackinaw sailboat, net winders, splitting tables and shipping boxes. Through audio and video exhibits, fishermen who worked the shore, tell their stories. Visit Cook County also has an information center in the museum, and in the summer, the friendly team members will let you know the best place to land a walleye, or where to go for a great cup of coffee!
Tofte
