Agate and Rock Picking Guides
Lake Superior Beaches

Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Lake Superior Area

Recommended by a SuperiorTrails friend & rock hound, this new guide has actual photographs of various rocks and minerals found on Lake Superior beaches. Co-author Bob Lynch is owner of Agate City Rocks and Gifts in Two Harbors Minnesota

Lake Superior Rock Picker's Guide

Here is another book recommended by a Superior Trails reader and rock hound who was able to identify over 50 rocks found on the beach using this guide by Kevin Gauthier and Bruce Mueller. Also included are tips for polishing the stones and rock. Kevin and Bruce also publish a similar guide for Lake Michigan rocks.

Agate Hunting Made Easy: How to Really Find Lake Superior Agates

My wife Jo found this agate hunters book while traveling in the UP and thought it would help her find her first Lake Superior Agate. It is full of tips for agate hunting (and rock picking) and has some very good color photographs of a number of agate variations as well as photos of the other kinds of rocks you'll find on Lake Superior beaches.

Quick Guide to Lake Superior Agates

My wife Jo likes to carry this field guide with her when she's on the beach prospecting for agates. Has good pictures of different types of agates, is not very thick, and easy to carry in your pocket or backpack. It is very durable and water-resistant to stand up to be carrried with you on your beach combing explorations.

Agates of Lake Superior

This is an expanded version of Dan Lynch's popular Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals field guide that focuses on Agates. It goes into more detail on the formation of agates and geological history. Good photos and tips on best places to find agates.

DVD: How to Find Agates

Karen Brzys. Director, Gitchee Gumee Agate & History Museum, has created this comprehensive tutorial to finding agates. Includes over 750 photographs and diagrams.

Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals Field Guide

This new edition by Dan and Bob Lynch will help you identify up to 75 rocks and minerals you might find washed up on Lake Superior beaches. Has full color photographs to aid in identification.

Rock Pickers Guide to
Lake Superior's North Shore

Sparky's guide covers what north shore beaches to comb, a bit of history on the formation of the various rocks found on beaches, and helpful information and pictures on identifying beach rocks and minerals.

Agates Inside Out

Karen Brzys. Director, Gitchee Gumee Agate & History Museum, is an experienced beach comber and agate collector. This is the most comprehensive book I've found on identifying and collecting agates. Most helpful has been the guidance on identifying agates-in-the-rough. [More Info]

Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer

This isn't an Agate guide but if you are a serious Agate Hunter you know that some of those "off-the-beaten path" beaches are among the best places to find this elusive gem. So you need a really detailed guide to road ways, which is where this extensive atlas comes in handy. Below are the Michigan and Minnesota versions of this extensive road guide.

Also see the Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer and the Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer