We love living in “the land of sky-blue waters.” Our lakes and rivers provide not only a backdrop to glorious sunrises and sunsets but also ways to kick back and relax or experience something new.
Play in the sand
The Heartland Lakes area resorts offer sandy beaches and life’s simple pleasures. If you like the idea of spreading out a beach towel to soak up some sun, reading a book, building sand castles and digging moats, or going for a swim, pack your sunscreen and make a beach your playground. Public beaches are plentiful and easy to find. Look for them in Heartland Park on the Fish Hook River in Park Rapids, the south end of Long Lake in Hubbard, Stony Lake, on Lake Belle Taine in Nevis, Straight Lake in Osage, Spirit Lake in Menahga, 11th Crow Wing Lake in Akeley, Paine Lake in Lake George and, of course, at Itasca State Park. Just be advised most do not have lifeguards.
Find Easy Access to the Water
Hubbard County Parks and Recreation maintains 18 public boat accesses, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources maintains many others. You can download a map of state, county, and city accesses in Hubbard County at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/index.html. The information includes the type of ramp available and fish species in the lake or river. Some also have fishing piers if you don’t want to wrestle with a boat but do want to cast a fishing line and catch a breeze.
Fun on the Water
Besides traditional activities like water skiing, “water toys” have opened up a world of entertaining fun on the water. Near shore, inflatables make it fun to slide, jump and bounce into the water. Jet skis remain popular, and wakeboarding, sailboarding, and stand-up paddle boarding will challenge you to learn new skills. If you prefer more leisurely ways to explore a lake or river, pontoon boats, canoes, and kayaks may allow you to glimpse wildlife along the shore. Another way to relax on the water is to go tubing, and the best experience is to float the day away on the Shell and Crow Wing Rivers. Let the Chamber Visitor Center guide you in finding the best spots and renting equipment. Remember always to have well-fitting life jackets for everyone.
Go Fishing
Fishing in our lakes, rivers, and streams has become legendary. The sport is why resorts were built; visitors from other states came to escape the heat and go home with great stories and bragging rights. Now, fishing is an entire industry. You need a state fishing license, rod and reel, fishing line, fishhooks, a bobber and sinker, and live bait or lures. You might want a tackle box to organize and store your collection. Serious anglers add specialty lures, depth finders, nets, and a boatload of other equipment, knowing what works best for the species they’re after. You will find many tackle shops in our communities, and you can be sure their staff will help you whether you’re an amateur, intermediate or advanced angler. Maybe a shortcut is to hire a local fishing guide who knows best when and where to look. The Chamber website features a weekly fishing report by one of them.
Other fishing tips:
- They call it fishing, not catching. There are no guarantees of success.
- There is no substitute for time on the water. Make the time, and you will learn.
- Remember to catch and release. Keep a few to eat, but never keep the big ones.
- Be aware of the laws. Minnesota publishes a book of regulations. A tape measurer is an essential tool for staying out of trouble. But remember, all the rules are to protect the future of fish stocks.
Speaking of Protection
To sustain our pristine water resources, you may see inspectors at public accesses. They are educators about Aquatic Invasive Species and may physically inspect your boat, trailer, other water-related equipment, and compartments that hold water. The motto is “clean in, clean out.” Learn more at https://www.hubbardcolamn.org/index.html or the MN DNR website – https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/index.html.
