It is southeast of Bemidji, located mainly within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, and completely within the Chippewa National Forest.

The lake is the third largest in Minnesota, covering 102,947.83 acres (416.6151 km2) with 195 miles (314 km) of shoreline and has a maximum depth of 156 feet (48 m).

The long, narrow Shingobee Bay is part of Leech Lake, and is located on its southern end.

Purple loosestrife does not provide a sufficient food source, nesting area, or cover for the native animals.

Leech Lake and the surrounding national forest is home to a large population of bald eagles.

On October 5, 1898, Leech Lake was the location of a conflict between Ojibwe and Federal troops of the United States, the Battle of Sugar Point.

[8] A firefight broke out between the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe after one of the soldiers sent to retrieve a bootlegger mistakenly fired his rifle.