Gull Lake (Cass County, Minnesota)

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Gull Lake
image_lake = Gull Lake sunset.jpg
caption_lake = Sunset
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Cass County, Minnesota
coords = coord|46|27|44|N|94|21|24|W|type:waterbody_region:US-MN_source:gnis|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow = Gull River
catchment = Crow Wing Watershed
basin_countries = United States
length = convert|15|mi|km|0|abbr=on
width = convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=on
area = convert|9947.03|acre|km2|0|abbr=on
depth = convert|30|ft|m|0|abbr=on
max-depth = convert|80|ft|m|abbr=on
volume = convert|12998739600|cuft|km3|abbr=on
residence_time =
shore = convert|38|mi|km|0|abbr=on
elevation = convert|1253|ft|m|abbr=on
islands =
cities = East Gull Lake

Gull Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota, located in Cass County, Minnesota. It is one of the largest lakes in the Brainerd, Minnesota-Baxter, Minnesota area and also one of the most popular [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] ] . Of the seven Gull Lakes in Minnesota, this Gull Lake is the largest in area and shoreline [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] ] . 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 [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] ] .

History

Gull Lake is the result of the Gull Lake Dam about a half mile down Gull River from the lake's outlet. The dam began service in 1912. This dam was the final 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 [http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/recreation/default.asp?pageid=65 Army Recreation Page] ] .

The site of the Gull Lake Dam has particular prehistoric archaeological significance. Under the site there have been found at least 12 and burial mounds as well as several partial mounds. All 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 [http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/recreation/default.asp?pageid=65 Army Recreation Page] ] .

Physical features

At convert|9947.03|acre|km2|0 surface area, Gull Lake is the largest lake with in the city limits of East Gull Lake, Minnesota [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] ] . The lake's maximum depth is convert|80|ft|m|0 with nearly 30% of the lake only convert|15|ft|m|0 or less. These shallow waters consist primarily of sand and gravel. There are also areas of rubble and boulder.

Gull lake is convert|15|mi|km|0 long and convert|2|mi|km|0 wide [http://www.gulllake.com/ Gull Lake Resort Info] ] , with a median depth of convert|30|ft|m|0 [http://www.brainerd.com/lodging/lakemaps/gull.html Brainerd.com] ] . Gull lake is part of the Crow Wing watershed. The shoreland is zoned for general development [http://www.brainerd.com/lodging/lakemaps/gull.html Brainerd.com] ] .

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. [ [http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/fwt/1999/Stony.pdf Saving trout in Walleye World] ]

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 [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] ] .

Anglers are attracted to the stocked walleye population in Gull Lake. Since 2003, at least 2,825,000 fry Walleye are 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 were convert|14.6|in|cm|0 and convert|1.3|lb|kg|0. Another popular catch is of Northern Pike, whose length and weight were convert|25.8|in|cm|0 and convert|4.0|lb|kg|0 [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=11030500 MN DNR Lake Information Page] . ] .

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:
*Gull Lake
*Upper Gull Lake
*Nisswa Lake (not always considered part of the chain) [http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/docs/regulatory/mn_nav_waters.pdf Army's MN Navigable Water] ]
*Roy Lake
*Margaret Lake
*Spider Lake (not always considered part of the chain) [http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/docs/regulatory/mn_nav_waters.pdf Army's MN Navigable Water] ]
*Spring Lake
*Love Lake
*Round Lake
*Bass Lake
*Steamboat Bay
*Wilson's BayThe chain collective covers convert|13000|acre|km2|0 and its shores host over 2,500 homes. The chain spans across Cass County, MN and Crow Wing County, MN [http://gullchainoflakesassociation.org/ Gull Chain of Lakes Association] ] .

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 [ [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/pwi/name_changes.html MDNR Name Changes] ] .

Places of Interest on Gull Lake

*Steam Boat Bay, upon whose shores Maddens and Cragun's reside.
*Gull Point, previously Squaw Point, popular boating attraction for its nearby sand bar.
*Wilson Bay
*Sandy Point
*Rocky Point
*Grassy Point
*Dutchman Bluff
*Sheafer Point
*Holman's Point
*Government Point
*Floan's Point
*Hunter's Point, known for it's dangerously shallow straight

Towns near Gull Lake

*East Gull Lake, Minnesota
*Nisswa, Minnesota
*Brainerd, Minnesota
*Baxter, Minnesota

References

External links

* [http://thoreau.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lakemaps/b0105010.pdf DNR Map of Gull Lake]