Minnesota has thousands of lakes and a plethora of great fishing opportunities, and one of the best is in our area. Lake Winnibigoshish (also known as Lake Winnie) has miles of undeveloped shoreline and is genuinely an angler’s paradise. It is 67,000 acres in size and Minnesota’s fifth-largest lake.
Fishing pros know it’s a fantastic lake for fishing walleyes, muskies, and more. If you follow fishing news at all, you might remember that the 54-pound Minnesota record-breaking Muskie was caught on Lake Winnie back in 1957 and held the record for many years. Since then, though, a new record was set on Lake Vermillion.
If you’re fishing for walleye on Lake Winnie, make sure you know the current regulations. The Minnesota DNR has enacted a special regulation on Lake Winnie’s walleye — anglers must immediately release any walleye measuring between 18″ and 23″ and may be in possession of only one walleye over 23.” Click here to see Minnesota’s Fishing Regulations for more information.
Have fun, and remember, a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the office!
It’s no surprise that here in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, many of our favorite summer activities take place on Minnesota’s abundant bodies of water. Waterskiing is a classic choice, but if you or your family are looking to branch out and try something new behind your boat, here are three activities to consider.
Wakeboarding
You’re probably already familiar with wakeboarding; it’s been around for about 30 years. It also has the “cool factor” that waterskiing doesn’t. While you probably can’t waterski behind a pontoon boat, it is possible to wakeboard, so that might make it appealing to families with older children/teens. Many people also consider it easier to learn than waterskiing and less taxing for your body since it’s typically done at a slower speed than waterskiing.
Wakesurfing
A new form of wakeboarding is wakesurfing, which has been gaining popularity on Minnesota lakes. However, you’re not being pulled by a rope behind the boat, though you do use it to get up initially. Once you’re up, you drop the rope and then ride the wake that is created by the boat. Wakesurfing is appealing because it’s done at a much slower speed than wakeboarding, so falling off doesn’t hurt. Anyone can do it, so it’s popular with everyone from kids to baby boomers.
Wake Foil
Another iteration of wakeboarding is a wake foil board. Wake foil boards have been all the rage for the last couple of years; it’s essentially a surfboard with an attached hydrofoil (or a fin with wings) that extends below the water. The design of the wake foil board causes it to lift out of the water so that a rider stands a few feet in the air as it moves through the water.
Part of the rising popularity of riding a wake foil is that you don’t need perfectly calm water. No matter how rough the water is, you can float smoothly and silently over it on a wake foil. Plus, you can ride behind virtually any boat with a motor. Some people liken it to the smooth ride of a snowboard on the best powder day of the season.
When trying a wake sport, remember to wake responsibly. That includes staying at least 200 feet away from docks and the shore to minimize adverse effects to the shoreline and avoiding multiple passes. Courteous behavior ensures the lake experience is safe and enjoyable for all! Take the wake responsibly pledge at https://www.wakeresponsibly.com
At the end of the day, Minnesota is much more than the land of 10,000 lakes. It’s also the land of all the wildlife and landscapes in and around those lakes! Cabin owners, vacationers, and outdoor enthusiasts love calling northern Minnesota their home away from home because of the natural wonder of the surroundings. Endless afternoons on the lake. Miles of shoreline and trails. The distinct call of loons or the melodious call of various common songbirds.
One of the most fascinating — and tranquil — pastimes in Minnesota, and particularly in the northern part of the state, is bird and loon watching. Some birds are easy to spot while others require much more skill and patience. All of them are unique in their own right, and every bird watcher, from the seasoned veteran to the casual observer, has a unique blend of birds to discover throughout the state. It varies by location and time of year, and it requires the ability to be wait long enough to see and hear something you can recognize. But wherever you’re looking, the idyllic surroundings of Northern Minnesota will give you a chance to experience the beauty of Minnesota’s birds up-close-and-personal.
It wasn’t that long ago that bald eagles were rare to see. Now you can spot them circling overhead on lakes around the state. Or try trying to track down the hard-to-spot peregrine falcon. See if you can spot one of the 12 species of owls found in our state! Or listen for the distinct, calming call of the white-throated sparrow.
Whatever you’re looking or listening for, the North Woods of Minnesota has what you’re looking for. And whatever kind of vacation property you’re looking for, Bill Hansen Realty has you covered. Find out more by checking out our local listings and searching for the cabin, bare land, or year-round home that’s right for you.
