Gull Lake (Cass County, Minnesota)

Gull Lake

Gull Lake sunset, July 2008
Location Cass / Crow Wing counties, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates 46°27′44″N 94°21′24″W / 46.46222°N 94.35667°W / 46.46222; -94.35667Coordinates: 46°27′44″N 94°21′24″W / 46.46222°N 94.35667°W / 46.46222; -94.35667
Primary outflows Gull River
Catchment area Crow Wing Watershed
Basin countries United States
Max. length 15 mi (24 km)
Max. width 2 mi (3 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 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.[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

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 Woodland American 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.

Physical features

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 miles (24 km) long and 2 miles (3 km) wide,[3] with a median depth of 30 feet (9 m).[4] Gull lake is part of the Crow Wing watershed. The shoreland is zoned for general development.[4]

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.[5]

Wildlife

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

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:

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.[7]

Squaw Point name change

On August 6, 2007, the MDNR Commissioner approved name changes to many bodies of water in Cass County containing the derogatory word Squaw. Along with Squaw Point of Leech Lake, Squaw Lake and Squaw Pond, the locally popular Squaw Point of Gull Lake legally became Gull Point.[8]

Places of Interest on Gull Lake

Towns near Gull Lake

Lake Shore, Minnesota

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 MN DNR Lake Information Page
  2. 1 2 Army Recreation Page
  3. ↑ Gull Lake Resort Info
  4. 1 2 Brainerd.com
  5. ↑ Saving trout in Walleye World
  6. 1 2 Army's MN Navigable Water
  7. ↑ Gull Chain of Lakes Association
  8. ↑ MDNR Name Changes
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