- Along with the excellent Brainerd location on Gull Lake, Cragun's offers some of the finest lakeside lodging options in Minnesota. Cragun's Resort hosts groups of all sizes in a variety of comfortable accommodations including lakeside cabins, hotel-style rooms and cabins for large groups.
- American classics, burgers, and more, no matter what you're in the mood for, the restaurants at Gun Lake Casino are sure to please!
- Eddy's on Gull Lake is 20.6 mi (27-min drive) away from the Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional) airport, the closest popular airport to the property. Does Eddy's on Gull Lake have a pool? Eddy's on Gull Lake.
- If you're heading to Brainerd for some gaming, you can roll the dice at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, located 24.4 mi (39.2 km) away, but it's not the only place to visit while you're in town. Tourists speak highly of the fun-filled waterparks and family-friendly activities. You might want to visit top attractions like Mille Lacs Lake.
Hotels near Gun Lake Casino, Wayland on Tripadvisor: Find 5,148 traveler reviews, 177 candid photos, and prices for 242 hotels near Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, MI.
| Gull Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Cass / Crow Wing counties, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°27′44″N94°21′24″W / 46.46222°N 94.35667°WCoordinates: 46°27′44″N94°21′24″W / 46.46222°N 94.35667°W |
| Primary outflows | Gull River |
| Catchment area | Crow Wing Watershed |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 15.3 mi (25 km) |
| Max. width | 3.3 mi (5 km) |
| Surface area | 9,947.03 acres (40.2542 km2) |
| Average depth | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Max. depth | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Water volume | 298,410 acre⋅ft (0.36808 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 38 mi (61 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
| Settlements | East Gull Lake |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
| Gull Lake |
Gull Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota, located in Cass County and Crow Wing County. It is one of the largest lakes in the Brainerd, Minnesota-Baxter, Minnesota area and also one of the most popular for vacationing and for recreation.[1] Of the seven Gull Lakes in Minnesota, this Gull Lake is the largest in area and shoreline.[1] The shoreline is highly developed with residential and commercial interests. For each shoreline mile there are 27.8 homes or cabins. There are 19 resorts on Gull Lake, including notably Cragun's, Madden's, and Grand View Lodge.[1]
History[edit]
Gull Lake was raised approximately five feet by the construction of Gull Lake Dam about a half mile down Gull River from the lake's outlet. The dam began service in 1912. Prior to this, logging interests would build temporary dams at the site. The dam was the final Mississippi Headwaters reservoir dam. Colonel Francis R. Shunk and George Freeman designed Gull Lake dam. Both are more well known for designing the Lock and Dam Number 1 on the Mississippi River in 1917 in Minneapolis, MN.[2]
The site of the Gull Lake Dam has particular prehistoric archaeological significance. Under the site there have been found at least 12 burial mounds as well as several partial mounds. All are thought to originate from the WoodlandAmerican Indian tribes, which resided in the area from 800 B.C. to A.D. 200, returning later to inhabit the area from A.D. 600 to A.D. 900. The National Register of Historic Places recognizes these burial mounds.[2]
The site of St. Columba Mission on the eastern side of the lake is also listed on the National Register.
In present day, the Gull Lake area has many amenities and houses, as it is close to Nisswa, and both of these places are common places to vacation. There are resorts including Grandview Lodge, Cragun's Resort, and Madden's Resort, have many golf courses and vacationers contribute significantly to the local economy during the summer.[3][4][5] The cabins along Gull Lake tend to be very expensive.[6]
Ice fishing contest[edit]
Gull Lake is the site of the annual Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza, a charitable ice fishing contest hosted by Jaycees Brainerd. 20,000 ice fishing holes are drilled into the ice on Gull Lake for the event.[7][8][9][10]
Physical features[edit]
At 9,947.03 acres (40.2542 km2) surface area, Gull Lake is the largest lake within the city limits of East Gull Lake, Minnesota.[1] The lake's maximum depth is 80 feet (24 m) with nearly 30% of the lake only 15 feet (5 m) or less. These shallow waters consist primarily of sand and gravel. There are also areas of rubble and boulder.
Gull lake is 15.3 miles (25 km) long and 3.3 miles (5 km) wide,[11] with a median depth of 30 feet (9 m).[12] Gull lake is part of the Crow Wingwatershed. The shoreland is zoned for general development.[12]
Stony Brook stream's mouth is at Gull Lake. The brown trout of Stony Brook were recently noticed as threatened by the recreational activity on Gull Lake. The stream's natural habitat for trout has been a focus point of restoration work by local anglers and MDNR fisheries biologists.[13]
Wildlife[edit]
There are over 35 species of aquatic life in the water of Gull Lake, which help to maintain a large fish population. The emergent bulrush plant is especially important for providing a habitat for bass and panfish species.[1]
Anglers are attracted to the stocked walleye population in Gull Lake. Since 2003, at least 2,825,000 fry Walleye have been stocked into Gull Lake by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. As of 2007 the average length and weight of a walleye in Gull lake was 14.6 inches (37 cm) and 1.3 pounds (0.6 kg). Another popular catch is Northern Pike, whose length and weight are, on average, 25.8 inches (66 cm) and 4.0 pounds (1.8 kg), respectively.[1]
The Gull Chain[edit]
The Gull Chain of Lakes, for which Gull Lake is the namesake and largest member, is a collection of eight connected lakes and two bays:
- Gull Lake
- Upper Gull Lake
- Nisswa Lake (not always considered part of the chain)[14]
- Roy Lake
- Margaret Lake
- Spider Lake (not always considered part of the chain)[14]
- Spring Lake
- Love Lake
- Round Lake
- Bass Lake
- Steamboat Bay
- Wilson's Bay
The chain collectively covers 13,000 acres (53 km2) and its shores host over 2,500 homes. The chain spans across Cass County, MN and Crow Wing County, MN.[15]Mayo and Sibley lakes are also connected to Gull Lake via Mayo Creek. Cullen lakes are connected to Gull via creek from Cullen to Lake Nisswa. Long Lake is connected to Round via Sugar Bush Creek. Round is part of the Gull Chain. Lake Hubert is connect to Lake Edward which flows into Lake Nisswa (Gull Chain)
Name change[edit]
On August 6, 2007, the MDNR Commissioner approved name changes to many bodies of water in Cass County containing the derogatory word Squaw. Squaw Point of Leech Lake became Oak Point, Squaw Lake became Little Woman Lake, Squaw Pond became Scout Camp Pond, and Squaw Point of Gull Lake became Gull Point.[16]
Places of interest on Gull Lake[edit]
- Steam Boat Bay, upon whose shores Maddens and Cragun's reside.
- Gull Point, commonly known as Squaw Point,[citation needed] popular boating attraction for its nearby sand bar.
- Wilson Bay
- Sandy Point
- Rocky Point
- Grassy Point
- Dutchman's Bluff
- Sheafer Point
- Holman's Point
- Government Point
- Floan's Point
- Hunter's Point, known for its dangerously shallow straight
Towns near Gull Lake[edit]
Lake Shore, Minnesota
References[edit]
- ^ abcdefMN DNR Lake Information Page
- ^ ab'Army Recreation Page'. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- ^[1]
- ^[2]
- ^[3]
- ^[4] 13 Most Expensive Minnesota Cabins.
- ^This is what the Super Bowl of ice fishing looks like. Vice. February 11, 2018.
- ^Anderson, Dennis. Brainerd ice fishing extravaganza blends fishing, fun and prizes. Minneapolis Star-Tribune. February 6, 2016.
- ^3 Anglers Cleared Of Alleged Fraud In Brainerd Ice Fishing Tournament. CBS Minnesota. February 9, 2019.
- ^Brainerd Ice Fishing Contest. Brainerd.com. February 13, 2019.
- ^Gull Lake Resort Info
- ^ abBrainerd.com
- ^'Saving trout in Walleye World'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ ab'Army's MN Navigable Water'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- ^Gull Chain of Lakes Association
- ^MDNR Name Changes
External links[edit]
- DNR Map of Gull Lake[permanent dead link]
We are closed for the winter season and will reopen in April 2021. We will begin taking reservations for the 2021 season in February. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out via email or instagram. Thank you for a great summer season. Look forward to seeing you next year!
Let's Go FISHING!
Be sure to visit our tackle shop where you'll find everything you need for a great day on the lake!
Looking for a great days fishing? Then stop by the Gull Lake Marina and enjoy the pleasures of the great outdoors. Rent one of our boats and head out onto the lake to fish for 'Monster Trout', or just relax and play with your kids at the Gull lake park or plan a picnic on the shore, or just stop by for a .10 cup of coffee. All boat rentals and other fishing needs will be graciously handled by one of our professional fishing advisors to ensure that you have a great day on Gull Lake.
Gun Lake Casino Play For Fun
The view is memorable.. To swing off of a rope into the lake is unforgettable..and to experience it with family...PRICELESS!
7/12/2020
Love this place, but so do a lot of others, no pontoons for rent 😞
7/09/2020
Beautiful lake have a nice Marina, you can rent a boat and enjoy all day
6/23/2020
