Brainerd Nisswa East Gull Lake Lake Shore Baxter Breezy Point

Brainerd Nisswa
East Gull Lake Lake Shore
Baxter Breezy Point
Jenkins Pequot Lakes
Pine River Crosslake
Emily Fifty Lakes
Manhattan Beach
Crosby Deerwood
Ironton Pillager
table of contents
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Brainerd Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Things to Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Our Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Grand View Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Beautiful Gull Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Save the Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Contacts
Lisa Paxton Chief Executive Officer
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Kathi Nagorski Leary Communications Director
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
knagorski@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Carol Altepeter Governor’s Fishing Event Coord.
Explore Minnesota Tourism
carol.altepeter@state.mn.us
Frank Soukup Director of Marketing
Grand View Lodge
frank.soukup@grandviewlodge.com
explorebrainerdlakes.com
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welcome.
you’re invited
We, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Grand View
festivals such as the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza.
Lodge, are proud and honored to host the 2014 Minnesota
Then consider our grand lodging , shopping , dining , and so much
Governor’s Fishing Opener. Come join us and discover the
more ! Don’t forget the Brainerd Lakes Area is where you make a lifetime
grandness of the Brainerd Lakes Area. You will find an abundance of fishing
of memories. Do you see the grand picture? Come enjoy a closer look –
– with an emphasis on abundance in both lakes and
join us for The Grand Fishing Opener May 8-11, 2014.
species of fish. But fishing is not all that we offer on a grand scale. Consider
Take a walk through our interactive PDF to learn more about our grand
our world-class golf courses – the best regional golfing destination
community, the Brainerd Lakes Area. Until next year, good fishing.
opportunities
in the Midwest with top ratings in national golf magazines. Consider our
mountain biking trails
– Minnesota’s first state system designed with
the guidance of the International Mountain Biking Association. Consider also
our other attractions – Brainerd International Raceway
Lisa Paxton
home this
year of the 32nd Annual NHRA Nationals and the only Paul Bunyan who
Brainerd Lakes Chamber, CEO
will greet you by name every time you visit. And we host the best community
explorebrainerdlakes.com
Mark Ronnei
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Grand View Lodge, General Manager
grandviewlodge.com
explore it.
brainerd lakes area
brainerd lakes area
Explore It. Live It. Discover the endless
adventure year-round in the Brainerd
Lakes Area, Minnesota’s premier vacation
destination, only two short hours north of
the Twin Cities in central Minnesota.
fishing
Our many accomplished guides
Nick Adams, the patriarch of Lindy
It’s all here. All the elements
will help you get on the fish with
Little Joe, hail from the Brainerd
required for a great fishing
their expertise in knowing what’s
Lakes Area. You will find their
adventure are right here
attracting the bite and where to find
names within the rolls of honor of
in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
it. Beyond the guides, you will find
Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame and
You will discover nearly 500
great options for equipment, boat
the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
rentals, and bait shops.
and Museum.
Many of the best-known fishing
And everyone loves a little
professionals, such as Al and Ron
competition, right? You will find a
Lindner, Babe Winkelman, Ted
full range of fishing tournaments
Takasaki, Gary Roach and the late
and contests in the Brainerd Lakes
lakes with three of the Midwest’s
top fishing destinations. One is the
great walleye fishery, the Gull Lake
Chain of Lakes, your host lake for
the 2014 Minnesota Governor’s
The Brainerd Lakes Area offers
incredible fisheries with a range of
species, including walleye, muskie,
bass, trout, northern pike, panfish,
and more.
Fishing Opener.
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Area. Gull Lake is home to numerous
The Brainerd Lakes Area has
Sportsman’s Club , racing
well-regarded tournaments, such as
captured the world’s attention with
at Brainerd International
the world’s largest ice fishing contest
many major resort courses earning
Raceway , playing hockey with
- the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice
honors and awards from leading golf
Minnesota Hockey Camps ,
Fishing Extravaganza.
magazines, such as Golf Digest and
shopping our communities with
Golfweek. You will find two dozen
great retail stores both big and small.
things to do
courses and more than 400 golf
You can’t fish every day – or can
holes within a 30-minute drive.
There also are any number of
you? But, there is so much more to
ways to have fun on the lake from
explore in the Brainerd Lakes
You have to eat to fish, right? The
kite sailing to kayaking or boating
Area , Minnesota’s premier
Brainerd Lakes Area delivers. You
to waterskiing.
vacation destination.
will enjoy an excellent range of
Other options to explore the
restaurant options served by many
region include mountain biking
Or just pamper yourself! Treat
accomplished chefs. And you can
on the Cuyuna Country State
yourself to one of the region’s many
enjoy the luxury of traveling by
Recreation AREA Trails, traveling
day spas , especially found on the
car, boat, bike, and arriving in
the Paul Bunyan State Trail
larger resort campuses, and enjoy
jeans, shorts, swimsuit, or dress.
that stretches from Brainerd to
the positive impact on your body,
It’s hard to beat great food at
Bemidji, scuba diving with the
mind, and spirit. Our day spas offer
a table lakeside.
Minnesota School of Diving ,
a range of services to help you look
shooting at Hunt’s Point
and feel your best.
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live it.
the lakes area
brainerd lakes area
The Brainerd Lakes Area , your
outdoor paradise in central Minnesota,
can be found two hours north of the
Twin Cities. The Brainerd Lakes
Chamber , as a regional voice of
business and tourism, serves many
communities in central Minnesota,
including Nisswa, your host city for
the 2014 Minnesota Governor’s
Fishing Opener.
In Nisswa, you will discover
in Nisswa include the Brainerd
Our communities of Brainerd
many traditions, including the
Jaycees Run for the Lakes marathon,
and Baxter are home to many
Welcome Wannigan, a Minnesota
Gull Lake Frozen Fore, Nisswa
cultural and recreational landmarks,
Nice mainstay every fishing opener
Jubilee, and Nisswa City of Lights.
including the trailhead of the Paul
weekend since 1959. The Welcome
Nisswa is home to the Nisswa
Bunyan State Trail ,
Wannigan serves hot coffee and
Chamber of Commerce ,
the Northland Arboretum ,
doughnuts – rain, snow, or shine
a collaborator in the Minnesota
Franklin Arts Center , and the
– to anglers on Gull Lake during
Wednesday during the summer
Governor’s Fishing Opener. Gull
regional beacon, the historic water
the state’s annual fishing opener.
months, families are attracted
Lake, which connects two counties,
tower. Brainerd, as the southern
The tradition Nisswa may be best
to Nisswa to participate in this
Crow Wing and Cass, also borders
gateway along the Mississippi
known for is its Nisswa Turtle Races,
generational fun that has survived
two other cities – the cities of Lake
River to the Brained Lakes region, is
marking 50 years this summer. Each
the decades. Other great traditions
Shore and East Gull Lake.
home to great summer barbecues,
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Whitefish Chain of Lakes. The Pequot
The Cuyuna Range, which
waterparks, and campgrounds.
Lakes office of the Brainerd Lakes
includes the communities east of
Great shopping , dining , and
Chamber hosts its famous Bean Hole
Brainerd such as Crosby and
entertainment , also are themes
Days – everyone enjoys a free lunch!
Ironton, is known for its
that carry through our Brainerd
Amazing baked beans are cooked
great mountain biking, trout fishing,
Lakes Area communities.
overnight atop a bed of hot coals
scuba diving, and its antique
and then enjoyed by thousands of
shopping, as the Antique Capital of
Brainerd Lakes Welcome Centers,
visitors the next day. Other Chamber
the Lakes Area.
operated by the Brainerd Lakes
Chamber, can be found south
community celebrations include Stars
& Stripes Days each July 3-4, Ice
Throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area,
of Brainerd on Highway 371, in
such as the Minnesota Country
Fest in nearby Breezy Point,
you will discover a great range of
downtown Brainerd, in Crosslake,
Sampler Picnic at the Arboretum
and Taste of Pequot.
lodging choices, including resorts,
and in Pequot Lakes.
hotels, bed and breakfast inns,
and the Street Fest on 7th in
On the eastern edge of the Whitefish
Throughout the seasons, you
Chain of Lakes, lies the community of
will find reasons – such as the
North of Nisswa, you will discover
Crosslake, known for its lake
outdoor experiences, breathtaking
the community of Pequot
fun and its community celebrations,
environment, and community
Lakes, along the Paul Bunyan
such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
celebrations – to love it here.
State Trail and the Paul Bunyan
& Celebration, WinterFest, and
Brainerd Lakes – Explore It. Live It.®
Scenic Byway, which circles the
Crosslake Days.
downtown Brainerd.
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enjoy it.
grand view lodge
grand view lodge is a family,
golf and spa resort located on Gull Lake
in the Brainerd lakes area. Founded in
1916, Grand View Lodge has provided
guests vacation experiences with a wide
variety of restaurants, seasonal activities
and lodging options for more than
90 years. The resort’s 2,500 feet of
beautiful shoreline on Gull Lake
offers a year-round playground.
History
in 1937. Now owned and operated
Lodging
For almost a hundred years, the
by the Cote Family Companies, its
Grand View Lodge is spread
story of Grand View Lodge has been
roots grow deep in the history of the
across several hundred acres with
hallmarked by entrepreneurship,
Brainerd Lakes Area.
lodging located in select areas
to provide the maximum privacy,
family legacy and dedication to
Minnesota’s natural beauty.
historic Main Lodge using Norway
pine found on the property and
In 1916, Mr. M.V. Baker built a
historic inn to house possible land
buyers and outdoor enthusiasts on
the north shoreline of Gull Lake.
Then in 1919, began building the
explorebrainerdlakes.com
featured a restaurant, front desk,
lobby and dance hall. Baker
elected to sell the remaining unsold
property and the Main Lodge to
Reynolds Frederick Brownlee Cote
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Selected in 1979 for the National
enjoyment, scenic views and
Registry of Historic Places, Grand
convenience to its guests. Offering
View’s Main Lodge offers one of
single rooms in the main lodge to
the most well preserved examples
eight bedroom cabins, the resort can
of early resort log construction in
accommodate any size group and
existence today and a focal point
style of stay (simple or luxury), and
for the entire resort.
takes claim to being the only resort in
grandviewlodge.com
from casual to intimate such as Cru
daily golf, or simply want to be able
What to do
Restaurant & Wine Bar which
to say they’ve played at one of the
There is an extensive amount of
features a vast cellar of more than
best Minnesota golf courses.
activities offered all four seasons
2,000 bottles of worldly wines, or the
– from our supervised children’s
family-friendly Northwoods Pub
World Class Spa
programs and Kid’s Club , to the
to mingle, enjoy cocktails and
The world-renowned Glacial
special teambuilding activities for
live entertainment.
Waters Spa offers a wide
groups or family reunions. Guests can
variety of 50 plus unique services
enjoy activities year-round – wine
Championship Golf
including Ashiatsu Massage,
tastings , paddleboard yoga ,
the area that can
Grand View Lodge is the only resort
Vichy Shower and other distinctive
mountain biking , watersports ,
house groups up to 16 people under
in Minnesota to rate in the “Top
monthly/seasonal treatments.
dogsledding, ice fishing and so much
one roof., Wi-Fi, full kitchens and
Golf Resorts in the World 2012”
With Minnesota’s rich history and
more. The 110-foot waterslide and
one of the largest and best breakfast
by Condé Nast Traveler and win
restorative effects of water, the spa
pool is also a guest favorite.
buffet spreads in the state.
the “Gold Medal Resort Award”
experience will awaken and gently
from Golf Magazine. Grand View’s
calm the mind, body and spirit.
Grand View Lodge remains a true
Dining
championship golf courses, The
charm of the Northwoods, balancing
With seven dining venues
Pines and The Preserve , offer
luxury with the rugged outdoors
(three open year-round), guests can
guests an all-inclusive resort golf
and encompassing its long-standing
experience a variety of culinary
experience—whether they’re looking
traditions of family affairs, romantic
options and atmospheres ranging
for a golf package, golf vacation,
getaways and historic retreats.
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fish it.
beautiful gull lake
During the last Minnesota Governor’s
Fishing Opener hosted at Grand View
Lodge, some anglers came up empty
handed, including Governor Wendell
Anderson, but not without great stories.
“Twins’ boss Cal Griffith may have gotten
blanked in his five hours on Gull Lake
but he admits that the fish, which broke
his new line ‘had to be a
10-pounder at least.’”
May 17, 1976 - Brainerd Dispatch
Gull Lake, at just under
Average length was 14.6 inches and
Opener, the 2014 Minnesota
10,000 acres, is one of the
average weight was 1.3 pounds.
Governor’s Fishing Opener.
of the Midwest with its clear
Gull Lake, a long relatively narrow
The Gull Lake Chain of Lakes
blue waters, areas of forested
lake, stretches from the communities
encompasses eight lakes – Gull,
shores, and rolling shoreline
of East Gull Lake on the southern end
Love, Margaret, Nisswa, Roy,
most picturesque lakes in all
hills along its western banks. It is
often is in the Top 10 of Minnesota
of the lake up to Nisswa and Lake
Spider, and Upper Gull – and about
one of the state’s largest and most
walleye lakes ranked by anglers.
Shore on the northern end. Nineteen
13,000 acres. There are more than
resorts can be found around the
2,500 parcels around the chain. The
popular lakes. More importantly for
all us anglers, it is one of the best
The Minnesota DNR reports the
lake, including one of its oldest and
maximum lake depth is about 80
freshwater fisheries, well-established
2007 walleye catch of 8.5/gill net
finest, Grand View Lodge , the
feet, with about one-third of the lake
for its great walleye fishing. Gull Lake
was the highest to date on Gull Lake.
host resort for The Grand Fishing
15 feet deep or less.
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Along the shores, you will find grand
can be found at the southern edge
Historic Places, can be found at the
restaurants, such as the many Grand
of Gull Lake at the outlet to the
site of the dam and campground.
View Lodge restaurants, as well
Gull River. American Indian burial
as others serving everything from
mounds, recognized by the National
Another attraction near the shores
pizzas to sandwiches, burgers to
Register of
of Gull Lake is Mount Ski Gull, a
The lake is not only enjoyed by
steaks. The appeal of many of these
downhill skiing hill on the west side
anglers but also for myriad lake
restaurants is the amazing views
of Gull Lake.
fun activities, such as boating,
offered by lakeside dining and the
wakeboarding, paddleboarding,
often accompanying live music.
The lake offers three public accesses
with concrete base, two operated by
swimming, and so much more. It
also is enjoyed for its dining and
The Gull Lake Dam, operated by
the Minnesota DNR and one by the
entertainment establishments.
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Corps of Engineers.
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“We’ve had the opportunity to travel to a lot of places
and, without question, within an hour’s driving time,
you have probably the best freshwater, multi-species
fishing in the world here. It’s a truly amazing
place to live.”
Al Lindner, co-founder In-Fisherman and
host of Lindner’s Angling Edge
Brainerd Dispatch, published September 3, 2011
5.10.14
save the date
Contacts
Lisa Paxton Chief Executive Officer
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
Carol Altepeter Governor’s Fishing Event Coord.
Explore Minnesota Tourism
lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
carol.altepeter@state.mn.us
Kathi Nagorski Leary Communications Director
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
Frank Soukup Director of Marketing
Grand View Lodge
knagorski@explorebrainerdlakes.com
frank.soukup@grandviewlodge.com