| Fish Hook River | |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Minnesota |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of the Fish Hook River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Minnesota |
| Length: | 8.54miles[1] |
| Source1: | Fish Hook River Reservoir |
| Source1 Location: | Park Rapids, Hubbard County |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 46.9194°N -95.0528°W[2] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1424feet[3] |
| Mouth: | Shell River |
| Mouth Location: | Hubbard Township, Hubbard County |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 46.8303°N -95.0319°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 1362feet |
| Tributaries Right: | Straight River |
The Fish Hook River, also spelled Fishhook River, is a tributary of the Shell River, 9miles long, in north-central Minnesota in the United States. The river's source, Fish Hook Lake, collects short tributaries known as the Portage River and the Potato River. Via the Shell and Crow Wing rivers, the Fish Hook River is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River. The river flows for its entire length in southwestern Hubbard County; its watershed extends into northeastern Becker County.[4]
Its name is a translation of the Ojibwe name for the river and Fish Hook Lake, Pugidabani.[5]
The Fish Hook River is considered to begin in the city of Park Rapids, at a dam forming the 2miles Fish Hook River Reservoir, which was constructed to supply hydropower at the site of rapids on the river.[2] [5] [6] From Park Rapids the Fish Hook River flows south-southeastwardly through Todd, Straight River, and Hubbard townships, collecting the Straight River from the west. It flows into the Shell River from the north in Hubbard Township.[4]
The Fish Hook River Reservoir flows from Fish Hook Lake, which collects the river's northern watershed. The Portage and Potato rivers flow short distances to the lake from Portage and Potato Lakes, respectively. Potato Lake collects Hay Creek, which flows from northeastern Becker County, draining a region of lakes.[4] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
The Fish Hook River flows in the Northern Lakes and Forests ecoregion, which is characterized by conifer and hardwood forests on flat and rolling till plains and outwash plains.[13] The river's fish population is dominated by suckers, but walleye and northern pike are also present.[14]