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Brainerd Lakes Area · Crow Wing County

Gull Lake

The Gull Lake Story

Gull Lake is the premier lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area — a 9,947-acre fishery with 32 miles of shoreline, exceptional water clarity, and the most prestigious real estate market in the region. It combines the energy of a world-class resort lake with the intimacy of a private retreat, making it the top destination for both families and serious buyers in northern Minnesota.

Gull Lake is the crown jewel of the Brainerd Lakes Area — and if you've spent any time on its water, you already know why. At nearly 10,000 acres with 32 miles of shoreline, it has the scale to feel like an inland sea on a calm morning and the intimacy of a private retreat when you find the right bay. The water runs clear, the sunsets face west over open water, and the boating culture here is unlike anything else in Minnesota.

What sets Gull apart from every other lake in the Brainerd region is the combination of prestige and energy. This is where the serious estates are — the multi-generational properties with 200-foot sand shorelines, the architect-designed cabins that have been in the same family for 40 years, the new construction that pushes $5 million. But it's also where the pontoon parade runs all summer, where the waterfront restaurants fill up by noon on a Saturday, and where the kids learn to wakeboard in the same bays their parents did.

The fishing is exceptional and often overlooked by people who assume a "party lake" can't also be a serious fishery. Gull's walleye population is well-managed by the DNR, the bass fishing in the weed beds along the north shore is as good as anywhere in the state, and the muskie program has produced some remarkable fish in recent years. Early mornings on Gull Lake — before the boats are out, when the mist is still on the water — are something you don't forget.

If you're trying to understand who Gull Lake is for, the honest answer is: everyone who takes Minnesota lakes seriously. Families who want the full experience. Anglers who want variety. Buyers who want the most prestigious address in the Brainerd market. Sellers who know that Gull Lake properties hold their value better than almost anywhere in the state. This is the lake that defines the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Fishing Gull Lake

Gull Lake is one of Minnesota's premier walleye fisheries, with a DNR-managed population that produces consistent catches across all seasons. The lake also supports strong muskie, largemouth bass, and crappie populations — 18 species in total — making it one of the most diverse fisheries in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Spring
Excellent — post-spawn walleye move to rocky points and gravel bars. Jigs tipped with minnows are the go-to.
 
Summer
Good — fish move deeper (20–35 ft) during the day. Night fishing with crawler harnesses along the main basin edges is productive.
 
Fall
Peak — walleye are aggressive and shallow. Jigging and live bait rigs both produce well.
 
Winter
Very Good — tip-ups with live shiners over 18–28 ft of water. The DNR's stocking program keeps populations strong.
 
Method: Jigs, live bait rigs, crawler harnesses
Lake Record: 14 lbs 8 oz (DNR survey, 2019)
Spring
Good — bass on beds in 4–8 ft of water along the north shore weed flats.
 
Summer
Excellent — topwater early morning, then move to weed edges with Texas-rigged plastics.
 
Fall
Good — bass feeding heavily before turnover. Crankbaits along weed lines.
 
Winter
Slow — bass are lethargic under ice. Not a primary winter target.
 
Method: Topwater, Texas rigs, crankbaits
Spring
Excellent — pike are aggressive post-spawn. Large suckers and spinnerbaits work well.
 
Summer
Good — find them in the cabbage beds and along weed edges.
 
Fall
Very Good — pike are feeding hard. Large swimbaits and live bait produce big fish.
 
Winter
Good — tip-ups with large suckers over 8–15 ft near weed edges.
 
Method: Spinnerbaits, large suckers, swimbaits
Spring
Fair — water too cold for consistent action until late May.
 
Summer
Good — figure-8 at the boat is critical. Large bucktails and glide baits.
 
Fall
Peak — the best muskie fishing of the year. Big fish are aggressive. Jerkbaits and large swimbaits.
 
Winter
Closed season.
 
Method: Large bucktails, glide baits, jerkbaits
Lake Record: 52 inches (angler report, 2021)
Spring
Excellent — crappie on beds in 6–10 ft near docks and brush.
 
Summer
Good — find suspended crappie over 15–20 ft of water.
 
Fall
Good — crappie school up near structure.
 
Winter
Excellent — one of the best ice fishing targets on Gull Lake.
 
Method: Small jigs, tube baits, live minnows
Spring
Good — bluegill on beds in shallow water.
 
Summer
Excellent — great family fishing in the bays.
 
Fall
Good — bluegill school near structure.
 
Winter
Very Good — a favorite ice fishing target for families.
 
Method: Small jigs, wax worms, live bait
MN DNR Fishing Regulations

Life on Gull Lake

Gull Lake offers more on-water and on-shore activities than any other lake in the Brainerd area. From wakeboarding and pontoon cruising to championship golf, waterfront dining, and hiking at the Army Corps recreation area, the lake delivers a full four-season experience for every type of visitor.

Madden's Resort Marina

  • Full-service marina with pontoon, fishing boat, and kayak rentals. One of the finest resort marinas in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
  • Daily 7am–7pm (Memorial Day–Labor Day)
  • Pontoon from $250/half day
  • Phone:(218) 829-2811
Visit Website

Grand View Lodge Marina

  • Boat rentals, water sports equipment, and guided lake tours from the iconic Grand View Lodge.
  • Daily 8am–6pm (summer season)
  • Kayak from $25/hr, pontoon from $275/half day
  • Phone: (218) 963-2234
Visit Website

Gull Lake Watersports

  • Jet ski rentals, wakeboard lessons, and tubing on Gull Lake's open water.
  • Daily 9am–6pm (June–August)
  • Jet ski from $120/hr
  • Phone: (218) 555-0303
 

Pillsbury State Forest Trails (Easy)

  • 12 miles (multiple loops)
  • A network of trails through pine and hardwood forest just minutes from Gull Lake. Perfect for families and casual hikers. Fall color is exceptional.
All Trails
 

Gull Lake Recreation Area Beach (Easy)

  • Distance: N/A
  • A managed swimming beach with lifeguards, picnic areas, and a playground. One of the best family beaches in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Paul Bunyan State Trail (Easy)

  • 120 miles (Brainerd to Bemidji)
  • A paved multi-use trail that passes through the Brainerd Lakes Area. Ideal for cycling, inline skating, and walking. Connects to several lake access points.
All Trails
 

Brainerd (8 miles south)
The hub of the Brainerd Lakes Area — a working Minnesota town with a strong local identity, a growing food and drink scene, and the infrastructure that makes lake life possible. Not a tourist trap: a real town that happens to be surrounded by some of the best lakes in the state.

Must Visit

  • Brainerd Brewing Company
  • Zorbaz on Gull Lake
  • Kavanaugh's Resort
  • Paul Bunyan Land

Nisswa (4 miles north)
The charming small town at the heart of the Gull Lake experience. Main Street Nisswa is lined with boutique shops, excellent restaurants, and the kind of unhurried energy that makes you want to stay longer. The turtle races on Wednesday afternoons in summer are a genuine Minnesota institution.

Must Visit

  • Turtle Races (summer Wednesdays)
  • Sherwood Forest Restaurant
  • Nisswa Antiques
  • Chocolate Ox

Baxter (6 miles southeast)
The commercial center of the Brainerd Lakes Area — where you'll find the big-box stores, the medical center, and the chain restaurants. Not glamorous, but essential for a long stay at the lake.

Must Visit

  • Westgate Shopping Center
  • Cub Foods (for lake provisions)

Zorbaz on Gull Lake — $$
Location: 36215 County Rd 66, Crosslake, MN 56442
Legendary lakeside bar and restaurant. Loud, fun, packed on weekends. The quintessential Gull Lake experience.
Mexican pizza and cold tap beer on the deck

Visit Website

Sherwood Forest Restaurant — $$$
Location: 8789 Interlachen Rd, Nisswa, MN 56468
Upscale-casual dining in a beautiful wooded setting. The best white-tablecloth option near Gull Lake.
Walleye almondine and prime rib

Visit Website

Madden's Dining Room — $$$
Location: 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula, Brainerd, MN 56401
Classic resort dining with lake views. Elegant but not stuffy. The Sunday brunch is legendary.
Sunday brunch buffet, fresh walleye

Visit Website

Brainerd Brewing Company — $$
Location: 600 Washington St, Brainerd, MN 56401
Local craft brewery with a great taproom and food menu. The best beer in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Brewery burger and a pint of Gull Lake Gold

Visit Website

Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort — $$
Location: 1685 Kavanaugh Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401
A Brainerd institution. Family-friendly resort dining with a classic Minnesota supper club feel.
Walleye fingers and a Friday fish fry

Visit Website

 

The Preserve at Grand View Lodge

  • 2 miles from Gull Lake
  • 18 holes
  • Rating: 74.2 / 143 slope

Madden's Classic Course

  • On Gull Lake
  • 18 holes
  • Rating: 72.1 / 131 slope

Madden's Pine Beach East

  • On Gull Lake
  • 18 holes
  • Rating: 70.8 / 124 slope

Cragun's Legacy Courses

  • 3 miles from Gull Lake
  • 27 holes
  • Rating: Multiple ratings available
Book Tee Time

Paul Bunyan Land
Category: Theme Park / Amusement
Location: 17553 State Hwy 18, Brainerd, MN 56401
Distance: 8 miles (Brainerd)

Visit Website

Pirate's Cove Mini Golf
Category: Mini Golf
Location: Brainerd, MN
Distance: 7 miles (Brainerd)

Visit Website

Gull Lake Recreation Area Beach
Category: Swimming Beach / Playground
Location: Gull Lake Recreation Area, Brainerd, MN
On Gull Lake

Nisswa Turtle Races
Category: Family Event (Wednesdays in Summer)
Location: Downtown Nisswa, MN 56468
Distance: 4 miles (Nisswa)

Visit Website

Staying on Gull Lake

Renting on Gull Lake is easy. Owning is something else entirely. If you've spent a week here and found yourself calculating what it would cost to never have to book again — that's the conversation Devon White was born to have.

Devon White has spent 30+ years on Gull Lake. He knows which properties are worth their price, which shores have the best exposure, and which listings will never appear on the MLS. That conversation starts with a call.

View Featured Lakeshore Listings Call Devon
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Living on Gull Lake

Gull Lake is the most prestigious lakeshore real estate market in the Brainerd Lakes Area, with average transaction prices around $1.85M and consistent year-over-year appreciation. An estimated 30–40% of transactions occur off-market, making local network access essential for serious buyers.

Owning on Gull Lake is not a real estate decision — it's a life decision. The families who have been here for three generations didn't buy a property; they bought a ritual. The Fourth of July on the water. The first ice-out in April. The way the light hits the west shore at 7pm in August. You can't put a price on that, but the market tries every year, and the values keep going up.

From a pure investment standpoint, Gull Lake has been one of the most resilient lakeshore markets in Minnesota for the past 30 years. Demand consistently outpaces supply. Off-market transactions are common — many of the best properties here never see the MLS. If you're serious about owning on Gull Lake, the conversation starts before the listing appears.

Ask Devon about Gull Lake

Everything You Want to Know About Gull Lake

Straight answers. No fluff. Written by someone who's been on this lake for 30 years.

Yes — Gull Lake is one of the best swimming lakes in the Brainerd area. Water clarity runs 12–18 feet, the sandy beaches are well-maintained, and the Gull Lake Recreation Area has a staffed swimming beach with lifeguards. Water temperatures reach 75–80°F by mid-July.

Gull Lake supports 18 fish species. The primary targets are walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie, and bluegill. The walleye fishery is actively managed by the Minnesota DNR and is considered one of the best in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Yes. The main public launch is the Gull Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers (fee required). There is also a free public access near the Gull Lake Dam. Both are well-maintained with multiple ramps.

Summer (June–August) is peak season for boating, swimming, and the full resort experience. Fall (September–October) is the best-kept secret — fewer crowds, excellent walleye fishing, and stunning foliage. Winter brings a loyal ice fishing community and snowmobile trails.

Gull Lake lakeshore properties typically range from $800,000 for a modest cabin to $5M+ for a premium estate with a large sand shoreline. The average transaction price is around $1.85M. Price per shoreline foot runs $4,200–$8,500 depending on shore quality and exposure.

Gull Lake has public boat launches and a public swimming beach at the Gull Lake Recreation Area. The majority of the shoreline is privately owned. Day-use areas are available through the Army Corps of Engineers recreation area.

Nisswa (4 miles north) is the charming small town at the heart of the Gull Lake experience. Brainerd (8 miles south) is the regional hub with full services, dining, and entertainment. Baxter is the commercial center for shopping and groceries.

Gull Lake is one of the premier ice fishing destinations in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Walleye, crappie, and perch are the main targets. The lake typically freezes by late December and stays locked through February. Rental ice houses are available through local outfitters.

Gull Lake is approximately 130 miles north of Minneapolis — about a 2-hour drive via Highway 371. It's one of the most accessible premier lake destinations from the Twin Cities metro.

Gull Lake combines scale (nearly 10,000 acres), exceptional water clarity, world-class resort infrastructure, and one of the most prestigious real estate markets in Minnesota. It's the rare lake that works equally well for a family vacation, a serious fishing trip, and a generational property investment.

Still have questions about Gull Lake?

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By providing your contact information to Devon White, your personal information will be processed in accordance with Devon White's Privacy Policy. By checking the box(es) below, you expressly consent to receive marketing or promotional real estate communication from Devon White in the manner selected by you. For SMS text messages, message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase of any goods or services. You may opt out of receiving further communications from Devon White at any time. To opt out of receiving SMS text messages, reply STOP to unsubscribe. SMS text messaging is subject to our Terms of Use.
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Contact Details

Devon White

(218) 232-7635

[email protected]

Address 700 N Washington Ave, Ste 101 Minneapolis, MN 55401