Northome is a city located in the southwestern corner of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 230 at the 2000 census. The county seat is International Falls, about 70 miles (110 km) away. U.S. Route 71 and State Highways 1 and 46 meet in Northome. There are approximately 6 paved roads between Northome and the North Pole, two of which are in Minnesota (in addition to Highway 71, on the north side of town). Important sources of employment in the area include resorts, health care/assisted living facilities, and the Northome School. The local newspaper is the Northome Record, produced since 1905. A grass-strip airfield is also in the area. Northome is known as the "Heart of Big Bear Country". There is a hunting season on black bears, and hunters in the Northome-Mizpah area have occasionally bagged bears weighing over 500 pounds that can stretch 8 feet (2.4 m) high. The town is on the shores of Bartlett Lake, to the south is Island Lake, popular for fishing and swimming. Other smaller lakes are in the area as well, together supporting a variety of fish including walleye and northern pike. Fall brings the deer hunters and in the winter snowmobiling is a growing activity, supporting a small industry with a network of trails leading to nearby communities, including across the Big Bog State Recreation Area to Waskish Township. Winters also support ice-fishing, as the occasional -40° (F or C) temperatures create ice that can support small snowplows to clear roads on the lakes. Many Christmas wreaths are made here from local balsam and spruce trees.