We have a total of 11,842 lakes, and have more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. The state fish is the walleye, which inhabits waters throughout the state. Their eyes are sensitive to light, so they live in deep dark waters during the day and move to shallow areas at night. Minnesota's record walleye weighed 17 pounds 8 ounces. The common loon became the state bird in 1961.
Loons are black and white with long black beaks.
Minnesota is home to approximately 12,000 loons. The state flower is the pink and white lady slipper. The plant grows slowly, taking 10-20 years to bloom. It has become one of the rarest flowers in the state, due to difficult growing conditions. The flower has been protected by state law since 1925, and is illegal to pick.