Gull Lake Summer Conditions Report

This spring, the rain helped maintain Gull Lake’s already low water levels. The lake was still low, but the rain helped keep conditions from getting worse early in the season.

The rain also helped keep the lake cooler, which may have lowered the possibility of algae blooms. Overall, the cooler start to the season seemed to benefit the lake, especially compared to hotter, drier years where algae can become more of a concern.

One of the biggest things I noticed this year was the whitefish kill. It was the biggest whitefish kill I have personally seen on Gull Lake. Conservation officers have said this is “normal,” but personally, I do not think it felt normal. Maybe fish kills happen naturally, but the size of this one stood out.

On a more positive note, the tern population seems to be doing well. In early spring, I saw over 15 terns in one session. Based on that, it seems like the minnow population may also be doing well, since terns rely on small fish as a food source.

Lake use has also gone up substantially this year, especially random day-use around the east side of the lake. More and more non-residents are using the shoreline areas, which comes with its own problems.

There has been more garbage left behind, more fires along the shore, and more people ignoring the non-motorized vehicle signs. Quads and dirt bikes are being used on the trails and along the shoreline, including riding in and out of the water. This is creating ruts in an already impacted shoreline.

Personal watercraft use has also increased a lot this season. On most weekends, you can count over 10 paddleboards and other personal watercraft out on the lake.

Boat use, on the other hand, seemed lower this season because of the lack of access to boat launches. In my opinion, that was probably a good thing for the lake. With the water levels already low, less motorized boat traffic may have reduced some pressure on the shoreline, lakebed, and overall lake environment.

Overall, Gull Lake felt like a lake under pressure this summer.

The rain helped. The cooler water helped. The bird activity was encouraging. But the low water, fish kill, shoreline damage, garbage, illegal motorized use, and increase in unmanaged lake traffic are all things worth paying attention to.

Gull Lake is still a beautiful place to paddle, explore, and spend time outside.

But it also needs people to treat it like more than just a place to use.

It needs care, respect, and better decision-making from everyone who visits.