Ice Out

Drove around to a few lake today and looks as the ice wet out with all the warm temperatures. The big rain the other night finally did it in. Open water fishing, are you ready?

Very Dry conditions

Rain last night should help with the conditions that have been in place the past few weeks

Grass fire season is here

by Jennifer Stockinger From the Brainerd Dispatch

Grass and wildfire season came early in the Brainerd lakes area as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fought five grass fires in the area since Saturday — including a 75-acre wild fire located about six miles east of Hackensack.

DNR program forester Mark Mortensen said Monday that fire danger in Brainerd is high and he advises people to use extreme caution with any burning in wooded or grassland areas. Mortensen said the lakes area is dry and the soil does not have moisture in it, making it easy for grass and wildfires to spread.

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Comments anyone–here is where to voice you onion

DNR fisheries seeks comments on Brainerd area management plans

by stcarrol

People interested in Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strategies for managing Brainerd area lakes and streams have until Monday, March 19, to ask questions or submit comments.

“Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Marc Bacigalupi, Brainerd area fisheries manager. “The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream over the next five to 20 years.”

Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. In the Brainerd area, plans for the following lakes and streams will reviewed:

• Bay Lake.
• Black Hoof Lake.
• Sandbar (Horseshoe) Lake.
• Star Lake.
• Little Star Lake.

All waters included in this management plan are located in Crow Wing County.

People can review current plans for lakes and streams in the area as well as recent fish population assessment information at the DNR’s Brainerd area fisheries office, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Individuals also may call 218- 828-2550, or email lori.snider@state.mn.us to request a copy of a plan or submit written comments.

Public comments on management plans for the five specified lakes may be submitted via mail or email through Monday, March 19.

Suggestions for management of any of the other lakes and streams in the Brainerd area are welcome at any time and will be considered when those plans are due for review.

The DNR’s lake management activities are largely funded through the sale of fishing licenses and the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act.

Where to stay–If you got the cash to spend

Best Resorts To Visit In Minnesota | Minneapolis news

by admin

In the northern lakes area of the state are some of the region's grand dames of resorts, many built in the early part of the 20th century that have survived and evolved to remain relevant and popular in the 21st. These are family friendly resorts, ... Madden's opened north of Brainerd in 1909 under another name, but with the arrival of the Depression, the resort came into the hands of the Madden family, who maintain ownership of it to this day. A seasonal resort open late ...