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The Susie Islands Overlook is a radio site on the Minnesota side of the U.S. – Canadian border. It lies within the very rural Grand Portage Indian Reservation, 3 miles west of the border. At 430 feet above Lake Superior, it is an easily accessible roadside site overlooking Wayswaugoing Bay, the nearby Susie Islands, and Isle Royale, 20 miles to the southeast. The site lies within local range of Thunder Bay, 30 miles to the northeast, and Houghton, 75 miles to the southeast. Marquette is 145 miles to the southeast, Sault Ste. Marie, 270 miles to the southeast, and Duluth, 140 miles to the southwest. The late Paul LaFreniere of Grand Marais frequented this parking lot for better reception than that at his home and reported similar results to me in 2008, ten years before visiting for myself but I would never have imagined reception as good as this.
SUSIE ISLANDS OVERLOOK, MINNESOTA BANDSCAN
July 27, 2018 1415-1505 CDT / 66-70°F
Location: 47°59’12.9″N 89°39’10.1″W
1030 feet (430 feet above lake level)
97 stations total / Average distance: 155 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 WHJL WI Merrill / V. of the Master //102.7 / 63kw / 3dBµ, mono (182 mi.)
*88.3 CBQT ON Thunder Bay / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 23.73kw / 15dBµ, mono (44 mi.)
88.5 WPVM WI Sturgeon Bay / V. of the Master //102.7 104.1 / 15kw / 2dBµ, mono (239 mi.)
88.7 WMLS MN Grand Marais / Classical MPR / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
88.9 WCRR MI Manistique / K-Love / 24.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (204 mi.)
89.1 WKEK MN Gunflint Lake / N. Shore Comm. R. //90.1 90.7 / 1kw / 5dBµ, mono (51 mi.)
*89.3 CBON-20 ON Thunder Bay / Ici Première / 16.5kw / 20dBµ, mono (44 mi.)
89.5 WCLQ WI Wausau / 89Q / 90kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
89.7 WLSN MN Grand Marais / MPR News / 6kw / 10dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
89.7 WHND WI Sister Bay / WPR News & Classical / 22kw / in null (225 mi.)
89.9 –
*90.1 WGPO MN Grand Portage / N. Shore Comm. R. //89.1 90.7 / 1kw / RDS / 55dBµ, stereo (2 mi.)
90.3 WHBM WI Park Falls / WPR Ideas / 35kw / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
90.5 WPFF WI Sturgeon Bay / K-Love / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (239 mi.)
*90.7 WTIP MN Grand Marais / N. Shore Comm. R. //89.1 90.1 / 25kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (35 mi.)
90.9 WUPJ MI Escanaba / Strong Tower R. / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (177 mi.)
90.9 WHRM WI Wausau / WPR News & Classical / 81kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
*91.1 WGGL MI Houghton / Minnesota Public R. / 100kw / 65dBµ, stereo! (79 mi.)
91.3 = 91.1
*91.5 CKPR ON Thunder Bay / Hot AC / 100kw / 35dBµ, stereo (45 mi.)
91.7 WXPR WI Rhinelander / Public R. / 100kw / 20dBµ, stereo (154 mi.)
*91.9 WMTU MI Houghton / Michigan Tech Univ. / 4.4kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (78 mi.)
92.1 –
92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
92.5 WJJQ WI Tomahawk / Northwoods 92.5 / 25kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (172 mi.)
92.7 W224AW MI Bergland / Gospel Opportunities / 10w / 10dBµ, mono (91 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (316 mi.)
*93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / 93 Rock / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (168 mi.)
93.3 WBSZ WI Ashland / Z93 / 71kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (113 mi.)
93.3 W227CJ MI Marquette / ESPN UP //970 / 250w / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
*93.5 WKMJ MI Hancock / Mix 93.5 / 25kw / 45dBµ, stereo (79 mi.)
93.7 WCYE WI Three Lakes / Coyote 93.7 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (154 mi.)
93.9 WTBX MN Hibbing / Hot AC / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (162 mi.)
94.1 WUPK MI Marquette / 94 Rock / 4.4kw / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
*94.3 CJSD ON Thunder Bay / Rock 94 / 90kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (45 mi.)
94.5 WRJO WI Eagle River / Cl. Hits / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono (126 mi.)
94.7 –
*94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 20dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
95.1 WLST WI Marinette / Cat Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (223 mi.)
95.3 –
95.5 WIFC WI Wausau / CHR / 98.6kw / 5dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 / 21kw / in null (279 mi.)
*95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (147 mi.)
95.9 WMQA WI Minocqua / Kool 95.9 / 22kw / 5dBµ, mono (150 mi.)
96.1 WJMC WI Rice Lake / Country / 50kw / faint (191 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (292 mi.)
96.5 WHOH WI Rhinelander / Sports R. 96.5 / 6.6kw / 5dBµ, mono (162 mi.)
96.7 WUPG MI Republic / Maverick 96.7 / 800w / 5dBµ, mono (129 mi.)
96.9 KMFY MN Grand Rapids / Adult Cont. / 100kw / faint (183 mi.)
*97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (180 mi.)
97.3 CIPR ON Pigeon River / Thunder Bay Tourism R. / 2w / 20dBµ, mono (3 mi.)
97.3 WHDG WI Rhinelander / Hodag Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
97.5 W248BU MI Ishpeming / Good Time Oldies //WQKS HD-3 / 250w / 10dBµ, mono (135 mi.)
*97.7 WOLV MI Houghton / The Wolf / 6.5kw / 45dBµ, stereo! (78 mi.)
97.9 WSPT WI Stevens Point / Cl. Hits / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (238 mi.)
97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono, weak (238 mi.)
*98.1 W251AE MI Victoria / Gospel Opportunities / 5w / 20dBµ, stereo (91 mi.)
*98.3 WRUP MI Palmer / Cl. Rock //92.7 / 2.6kw / 25dBµ, stereo (135 mi.)
98.5 WQLH WI Green Bay / Star 98 / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (242 mi.)
*98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 52kw / 55dBµ, stereo! (79 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. //97.5 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (282 mi.)
98.9 CBQY ON Nipigon / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 2kw / weak in null (92 mi.)
*99.1 WIKB MI Iron River / True Country / 60kw / 15dBµ, mono (140 mi.)
*99.3 W257CZ MI Houghton / The Lift //1400 / 250w / 25dBµ, stereo (78 mi.)
99.5 WPKR WI Omro / Nash FM / 25kw / 3dBµ, mono, weak (291 mi.)
99.5 WNGE MI Negaunee / Oldies 99.5 / 3.6kw / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
*99.7 WIMI MI Ironwood / The Storm / 100kw / 25dBµ, stereo (112 mi.)
99.9 W260AC MI Houghton / Gospel Opportunities / 10w / 15dBµ, mono (78 mi.)
*100.1 WRHN WI Rhinelander / Jack FM / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (163 mi.)
*100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
100.5 WDTX WI Rothschild / Sports Fan 100.5 / 25kw / 2dBµ, mono (218 mi.)
*100.7 WOBE MI Crystal Falls / Radio Now / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, mono (168 mi.)
100.9 –
*101.1 WUPY MI Ontonagon / Superior Country / 100kw / 50dBµ, stereo! (88 mi.)
101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / faint + 101.1 (269 mi.)
101.5 WJNR MI Iron Mountain / Frog Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (168 mi.)
*101.7 CBQ ON Thunder Bay / CBC Music Thunder Bay / 25kw / 15dBµ, mono (44 mi.)
*101.9 WKQS MI Negaunee / Sunny FM / 13kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (135 mi.)
102.1 –
*102.3 WHKB MI Houghton / K-Bear 102 / 6kw / 40dBµ, stereo! (78 mi.)
102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / 20dBµ, stereo (204 mi.)
102.7 WRVM WI Suring / V. of the Master //88.5 104.1 / 98kw / 2dBµ, mono (215 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (278 mi.)
103.1 –
*103.3 WFXD MI Marquette / 103-FXD / 100kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (135 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 2dBµ, mono (308 mi.)
103.7 WHYB MI Menominee / Cl. Hits 103.7 / 13kw / 2dBµ, mono (223 mi.)
103.9 –
104.1 WXVM WI Merrill / V. of the Master //88.5 102.7 / 7.4kw / weak (199 mi.)
*104.3 WVCN MI Baraga / VCY America / 100kw / 40dBµ, stereo! (109 mi.)
104.5 CFQK ON Kaministiquia / Energy 103-104 / 50w / 10dBµ, mono (37 mi.)
*104.7 WYKX MI Escanaba / Kix Country / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
104.9 –
105.1 W286BC MI Marquette / Fox Sports //WKQS HD-2 / 250w / 5dBµ, mono (135 mi.)
*105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / RDS / 35dBµ, stereo (45 mi.)
105.5 WGKL MI Gladstone / Kool 105.5 / 20kw / 5dBµ, mono (191 mi.)
*105.7 WCUP MI L’Anse / Eagle Country / 100kw / 55dBµ, stereo! (79 mi.)
105.9 WEGZ WI Washburn / VCY America / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono + 105.7 (109 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono + 105.7 (290 mi.)
106.1 –
106.3 WGMV MI Stephenson / Maverick 106 / 50kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (194 mi.)
106.5 –
106.7 WHTO MI Iron Mountain / The Mountain / 6.1kw / 10dBµ, mono (168 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / good in car (306 mi.)
*106.9 WUPM MI Ironwood / Stereo 106.9 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (106 mi.)
107.1 –
107.3 WUPF MI Powers / Eagle 107.3 / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (191 mi.)
107.5 WCCW MI Traverse City / The 70’s Station / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (292 mi.)
*107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 25dBµ, stereo (139 mi.)
107.9 WBCV WI Wausau / Big Cheese / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (202 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 92.1, 107.1
Station notes:
95.3 WVVE MN Grand Marais is off the air with future sign-on in August //106.7
96.7 WUPG MI Republic is at 800w instead of the licensed 50kw
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie is at 1.3kw from a backup tower instead of 100kw
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford is at 700w from a backup tower instead of 100kw
106.7 KZJZ MN Babbitt is off the air with future sign-on in August //95.3
Recommendations for this radio site: The Susie Islands Overlook site isn’t very complex. There is water, waterfalls, trees, customs agents, and tepees nearby. And that’s about it!
The overlook, three miles west of the Canadian border, is a small turn-off with parking, informational boards, and bathroom facilities, with a view of course. Immediately beside U.S. Customs and Immigration is Grand Portage State Park. This park is home to an educational centre, souvenir shop, and some hiking trails leading to Pigeon Falls, which lies on the Pigeon River separating the two countries.
Across from the overlook is scenic Teal Lake. Travel another 2 miles to the west to find Grand Portage, the population centre of the Indian reservation and home to the Grand Portage National Monument, exploring the lives of the local Ojibwe people. The national park is free. From here, take the Mount Rose Trail to the top of the hill overlooking the park and coast.
Services are available at the Grand Portage Casino just down the road as well as the Grand Portage Trading Post beside it, the latter of which includes a variety of services from gas and currency exchange to a post office and food. Both are alongside Route 61 at the south end of town. The casino boasts the only accommodations in town, both an RV park and lodge with rooms and suites. In addition, Ryden’s Border Store offers a little of everything – duty free, gas, postal services, souvenirs, currency exchange, and more – right beside U.S. customs and the state park.
Location rating: The Susie Islands Overlook is a simple site. It towers over Lake Superior at the perfect elevation for lake ducts, is readily accessible, has toilets on site, and is just a few miles from services in either direction, though quite limited.
The major disadvantage to this site is that there is no privacy as it is merely a parking lot with a small overlook with space for a few onlookers. While there are not many people, there tends to be a steady stream of visitors. It’s possible to find your own little space, but you will always be in the sight of others. Nonetheless, the overlook is absolutely worth a visit.