Shore Lunch Sites on the Lake

What's a Shore Lunch Site?

In 1994, the Sportsmen's Club recognized the need for designated locations where boaters could safely pull up to shore and enjoy a shore lunch or picnic. Although there were many campsites on State or Federal land on the lake, none provided safe boat dockage for today's larger water craft. The demand for day-use facilities on the lake was also rising as more resort guests and property owners utilized the boating and fishing opportunities of this great lake.

To address this need, our club initiated cooperative agreements with the USDA Forest Service and the Minnesota DNR to install boat docks and picnic facilities at a number of scenic locations.

Over the years, the number of sites has grown to six (Bystrom Bay site pictured). Each is equipped with a safe dock, a picnic table, a fire ring/grate and a wilderness latrine. The Sportsmen's Club is responsible for maintenance of the sites.

Allowed Site Use

The Sportsmen's Club invites you to use these sites to stop for lunch, stretch your legs, use the latrine or to explore the woods and observe wildlife. After enjoying the site, please remove any litter and make sure the campfire is totally out. Please keep in mind that these are day-use sites only. They are not to be used for camping or for houseboat mooring.

If you observe a violation in progress, write down the license number of the watercraft involved, the date and time, and report that information to the USFS, LaCroix Ranger District (Cook MN), at lacroix@fs.fed.us or 218-666-0020.

How Do I Find a Shore Lunch Site?

The Sportsmen's Club maintains six shore lunch sites across the lake. To view a map with GPS coordinates, click here or on the map at left.

Volunteer to Help Protect Our Shore Lunch Sites

The rules for use of the shore lunch sites are clearly posted at each site. But, alas, some of our guests are a bit messy. And sometimes they neglect to clean up the site, to remove all garbage and to extinguish campfires.

Beginning in 2008, Sportsmen's Club volunteers will be checking our shore lunch sites to assure that they are clean and safe. Perhaps there's a site near your lake home or on a route you travel frequently. If you'd be willing to check it out once a week during the boating season, please contact activity coordinator Ray Harris [contact info].

Your Financial Support Can Make Additional Shore Lunch Sites Possible

Several of our current shore lunch sites were funded by generous personal and memorial contributions from members and their friends. We truly appreciate their gifts.

Our shore lunch sites get lots of use during the boating season. We'd like to build more, but the construction cost is substantial, typically between $4000 and $6000. If you'd consider helping us financially with this endeavor, please contact Board Member Dale Lundblad [contact info] or any other board member for a confidential discussion.

To learn more about a range of charitable giving opportunities at the Sportsman's Club, please click here.