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New story ideas added March 24th!
Pelican Lake by the numbers
If you like to crunch numbers when analyzing a fishing lake, Tim Brastrup can help. Pelican Lake, specifically, typically has good survey numbers when it comes to studying fish populations. An annual walleye stocking program helps ensure those types of numbers. At 8,253 acres, Pelican Lake is a popular lake for walleye fishing. The last survey, conducted in 2003, revealed an average length of 21.3 inches and 2.2 pounds. Northern pike have strong numbers, too.
Contact: Tim Brastrup, Brainerd Area Fisheries Manager, at 218-833-8636.
A Weekly Experience Worth Paddling For
Every Tuesday evening during the summer, you can find 25-30 paddlers enjoying the local lakes from the comfort of their kayaks. They’re the Paddle Pushers, avid kayakers whose social activities include weekly kayaking trips on local lakes, and overnight trips one weekend a month.
Contact: Jeff Kidder, 218-851-0833
Other Angling Opportunities
Although the focus will be on walleye fishing May 10, the Lakes Area has excellent fishing opportunities for most other freshwater species, including northern pike, bass, panfish, muskie, and lake, rainbow and brook trout. This area has 465 hard-bottom lakes, the Mississippi River, crystal-clear mine pits and several streams and small rivers, providing superb habitat that encourages strong, sustainable fisheries. Tim Brastrup can talk about our diverse fisheries and stocking efforts that supplements them.
Contact: Tim Brastrup, Brainerd Area Fisheries Manager, at 218-833-8636.
Pioneering the Science of Guiding
The Nisswa Guides League wrote the book on guide services. You can’t talk about fishing the Lakes Area without talking about the Nisswa Guides League. Founded in 1961, the biggest names in the fishing industry have worked as guides for the league, including Gary Roach, Al and Ron Lindner, Jeff Zernov, and founder Marv Koep. The 12 current guides have more than 150 years of combined guiding experience, and logged more than 2,500 hours on the water last year.
Contact: Marv Koep, 218-838-4861
Tales From the Byway
The 54-mile Paul Bunyan National Scenic Byway is rich with history. Stories range from gangsters to cows that got drunk on mash. Here's your path to the lakes and lands that helped give life to the great legend of Paul Bunyan.
Contact: Lynn Scharenbroich, 218-543-4714
Paul Bunyan Trail
The Paul Bunyan Trail is the pride of the Brainerd Lakes Area, where it starts and extends 100 miles north to Bemidji. Along the way, it passes through 16 quaint little towns, past 21 picturesque lakes, through pine forests and over rivers and streams. The trail is on an abandoned railroad bed and is now one of the longest paved "Rails to Trails" projects in the country. Access points can be found throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area, including a parking area in the heart of Pequot Lakes, providing easy access to shopping and dining.
Contact: Terry McGaughey 218-829-5278
Cuyuna Recreation Area
In 1924 the Milford Mine disaster, one of the worst tragedies in Minnesota's mining history, claimed the lives of 41 miners. Today the area provides a simulated mine tour sharing the past and inviting visitors to enjoy what has now become Minnesota's newest recreation area just east of Brainerd. Over 5,000 acres welcome visitors, featuring a newly added mountain bike trail. The 27 Cuyuna Range Mine Pit Lakes, some of which are 400 feet deep, support rainbow, brown and brook trout, among other game fish.
Croft Mine Contact: Richard Snook 218-546-5466
Recreational Amenities Contact: Jenny Smith 218-546-4545
It's Gotta Be the Golf!
The Brainerd Lakes Area features 25 golf courses and 520 holes within 50 miles of Brainerd. There are courses for all skill levels and budgets, including the 20 award-winning courses that together comprise the Brainerd Golf Trail. Some of the finest courses in the nation, designed by legends such as Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Robert Day, are located here. This concentration of championship courses has made the Lakes Area one of the "Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World," according to Golf Digest.
Contact: Mark Johnson, PGA Professional, Breezy Point Resort 218) 562-7177
Local Hands Provide Care and Caring for Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake Conservation Club:
For more than 30 years, the Pelican Lake Conservation Club has served as the
caretaker’s role for Pelican Lake, the site of the 2008 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener. With more than 300 members, the club owns and maintains the lake’s buoys, produced signage at the lake’s landings, works with Department of Natural Resources on fisheries issues and is working with DNR to finance workers to educate boaters on the public accesses about exotic plants. But the club’s reach also extends well into Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes through the giving of upwards of $100,000 annually for educational and environmental program.
Contact: Paul Hertle, President, 218-232-5037.
How Deep's The Water?
Depth finders:
A Brainerd Lakes area man played a role in evolution of today's fishing electronics. Jim Wentworth is a local electronics specialist who has been repairing depth finders and other fishing electronics for 35+ years. His expertise dates back to the days of the Lowrance “Green Box”. Since those days, he’s serviced more than 5,000 units and has been instrumental in the development of fish finders.
Contact: Jim Wentworth, 218-963-7917.
Fishing League Frenzy
Who needs bowling or softball when you can join a fishing league?
Like softball, pool and bowling leagues, fishing leagues have been popular in the Lakes Area for more than 30 years. There are a variety of single-species leagues (Northerns Inc., Muskies Inc., Baxter Bass Club) that offer a tournament format, and multi-species leagues (Lazy Ike League and Hairy Minnow League, both of which are about 15 years old) where teams fish for a combination of walleye, bass and northerns, earning points for quantity and size.
Contacts: Pat Iten, Hairy Minnow League, 218-825-0165;
Steve Allen, Northerns Inc., 218-746-3500;
Barry Mowers, Baxter Bass Club, 320-632-5676.
Bring Your Binoculars and Cameras!
May is prime time for bird watching in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Many bird species are migrating in early May, making for prime bird watching in the Brainerd Lakes Area, which is one of the top birding destinations in the country. As home to 313 regular species of birds and six of the top 12 most coveted species by bird watchers, this area attracts bird watchers from throughout the world. It’s not unusual for them to identify 70-90 species in a day. The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd is hosting a team bird-watching competition May 11.
Contact: Pam Perry, DNR Non-Game Wildlife Lake Specialist, 218-833-8728.
Tall Paul Left Trails!
Paul Bunyan Cyclists use peddle power to enjoy the Lakes Area.
Wednesday evenings in the Brainerd Lakes Area were made for bicycling, especially if you’re a member of the Paul Bunyan Cyclists. With members from as far away as Iowa and Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Paul Bunyan Cyclists combine all skill levels, from novice to hardcore. Their weekly rides accommodate all skill levels, as everyone starts at the same place, but trails vary each week and are as short as 20 miles for some and as long as 50 miles for the most experienced riders. Weekend trips are offered throughout the season as well. There's always room for more!
Contact: Dan Fundingsland, 218-820-9000.
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