Gull Chain of Lakes Association

The Gull Lake Chain Association was formed in 1969. The Gull Chain of lakes is a series of eight lakes and two bays. On the northern portion of the chain there are six lakes connected by a series of channels that wind through beautiful forests. There is also a rock reef in the middle of the northern portion of Gull Lake itself, a result of the ice ages long ago.

The combination of these makes the Gull Chain beautiful, but also presents many navigational challenges. The buoys on the Gull Lake Chain are mainly of two groups:

(1) Enforcement, no-wake buoys - these are in the channel areas at the north end of the lake. When boating in these areas you are required to slow to "the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage", with a maximum speed of five M.P.H. These areas are aggressively enforced so please slow down. See diagram for these areas.

(2) Navigational buoys - this system is currently being upgraded with approximately 45 in the system for the summer of 1996 with plans to add ten to twelve each year for the next two to three years. These buoys are installed to assist you to have a safe and enjoyable time on our lake. These buoys are placed as a guide only, one can go inside of them on points, but you may hit a shallow area.

Click here to view the Gull Chain of Lakes Buoy Map.

 

Department of Natural Resources

Gull Lake, at 9,418 acres, is one of the largest and most popular lakes in the Brainerd area. The maximum depth is 80' and about 30% of the lake is 15' deep or less. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel, although areas of rubble and boulder are also common. The aquatic plant community is quite diverse with 35 species present and is critical to maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.