Blog

The annual Pine River Summerfest celebration runs July 26-30 offers tons of family fun all weekend long. The highlight of the weekend is the Summerfest parade which travels down Barclay Ave starting at 2 p.m. A car and tractor show happens before the parade at Pine River State Bank. Other…

Ospreys are arguably one of Minnesota's most interesting birds of prey, and there happens to be several active osprey nests near the Whitefish Chain. At these nests, you can observe  Ospreys as they gather sticks to build their nests, sit upon their eggs, and bring fish to their chicks. Ospreys…

The Whitefish Chain Area is in full bloom as wildflowers have come into season, lining the edges of roads, trails and lake shores. Wondering what they are?  Below we have info on a few of the most prevalent, and beautiful, flowers on the chain. Big thanks to www.minnesotawildflowers.info, which helped…

Since 1938, people in Pequot Lakes have been gathering for the sake of beans. Bean Hole Days got its start when local businessmen held a bean feed to thank farmers for their support of area businesses. Today, thousands flock to Trailside Park in downtown Pequot Lakes to celebrate this annual…

Looking for some chill-out time in the sunshine, motor-free? Tubing the Pine River is fun and easy! Lay back in your tube, sip on a cold soda, and watch the woods move by slowly and silently. Perhaps the easiest spot to tube the Pine River is from just below the…

The 4th of July holiday weekend is always a time of celebration, but in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes region, it means even more. Between great community celebrations, and toasting smores over a campfire while watching fabulous fireworks over the lake,  the 4th at the lake just can't be beat.…

As summer kicks off around the Whitefish chain, so do a variety of fun activities in the towns surrounding the chain. Between Nisswa’s Turtle Races, the Pine River Duck Races, Pequot Lake's Market in the Park and Big Fun Tuesdays in Crosslake, kids can have a ball all week long.…

Nestled just south of the Whitefish Chain and in the heart of Ideal Corners is Whitefish Golf Course. It’s a course where golfers tee off below towering Norway pines and gather together in the clubhouse after a round of golf or an afternoon on the driving range. In fact, golfers…

For 39 years, residents and resorts on the Whitefish Chain received their mail from Ben Knebel, who traveled the chain by boat. Residents would eagerly await the boat on their dock or place a mailbox at the end of the dock if they couldn't be there. A beautiful 22-foot 1949…

It’s a short ride through densely wooded roads before the canopy opens up to wide-open vistas and verdant, rolling fairways at Golden Eagle Golf Club. Just north of Fifty Lakes, the course was carefully cut from the forest to take advantage of the natural elevation changes and scenic beauty of…

Perhaps the only thing better than the scenery of the Whitefish Chain Area is gazing at it while eating delicious food and sipping on tasty beverages. We've got the down-low on five great places to eat outside around the Whitefish Chain. Moonlite Bay: Moonlite Bay has earned its place as an icon of…

Nestled in the heart of Crosslake, and combining the beauty of the area with the recreation of golf, is Crosswoods Golf Course. Mike and Kelly Stone are the second-generation owners of the course, a facility that includes 27 holes, two mini-golf courses and practice facilities. Crosswoods is a family operation.…

If you've been to the Whitefish Chain, you've probably seen the system of safety buoys around the lakes for boat navigation. Many people, though, never think about who's responsible for placing those buoys in the spring and removing them in the fall. On the Whitefish Chain, all that is managed…

From 4 to 94, the entire family will have a day of fun at Wildwedge Golf just south of Jenkins. The golf complex offers a wide variety of activities that appeal to the entire family and focus on lighthearted fun in golf and beyond. Wildwedge has a par three golf…

Want to take a walk on the wild side? Safari North Wildlife Park lets you do just that as you observe and encounter a wide variety of animals at the area's newest zoo, now open for the season. Just a little over a half hour from the Whitefish Chain, Safari…

In honor of a late community member who gave her all in her volunteerism, a beautiful flower garden for the community is being constructed at the Army Corps of Engineers Cross Lake Recreation Area (location). The Linda Ulland Memorial Gardens, celebrating a grand opening this Friday, will be an environmental,…

You waited for the ice to go out and for spring to come, and now Fishing Opener is nearly here! May 13 marks the day that the walleye, bass, lake trout and more once again become fair game for the fishing season. At the Whitefish Chain, we mark it as the…

Did you know that the Whitefish Area has its very own co-op? And that it's stocked with delicious local, healthy, organic foods? Ideal Green Market Cooperative opened in 2015 and will soon expand its operating hours for the summer. As of May 10, the co-op hours are Wednesday to Friday,…

While the woods of the Whitefish Area have much to offer in the way of wild foods, spring mushrooming is a favorite among foragers. The most well-known and sought-after of these mushrooms? The elusive morel. The morel has become somewhat iconic to the Minnesota woods, and often searching for and finding…

Out on the chain, between Upper and Lower Whitefish lakes, are three islands that make up the Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area, often just called the Rollie Johnson Islands. The islands include Big Island, Little Island and Steamboat Island, and each has campsites that are open to the public.…

If you're looking for a day of fun for the whole family, nearby Brainerd has a couple attractions that are perfect for a day trip. The Great Lakes Escape recently opened as the area's first escape room challenge. A group of up to eight people (family or friends) is put…

In addition to the lovely resorts and private homes on the Whitefish Chain, there are several areas of shoreline that are public and managed by the DNR for natural preservation. These areas, called Aquatic Management Areas (or AMAs) are important to local wildlife and provide lake access to the public.…

It was springtime, but the ice wasn't out yet. Most historians say the year was 1800, and it was a day when the ice turned red with blood. The Ojibwe had set up camp at a sugar bush (a stand of maples) in the early spring where they would make…

It's legendary in Minnesota and especially on the Whitefish Chain- walleye dinners! But every once in a while you'll find that on your visit to the chain, you can't fish walleye because the season has ended. And fishermen know and love the shore lunch, but in case you find yourself…

It's true- the second-largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the entire state of Minnesota is held right in Crosslake, a stone's throw from the shores of the Whitefish Chain. This year the parade is on Saturday, March 18, and once again the town is expected to swell from its 2,000-person…

St. Patrick's Day is such a big celebration here on the Whitefish Chain that we start the celebration ahead of time. Crosslake's St. Patrick's Day Parade, which will be March 18, is the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the state. It's a day when the town with a…

Moonlite Bay in Crosslake will host the 16th Annual Ice Tee Open on March 4, where golfers will step out on the ice to play their favorite game and raise money for a great cause. The Ice Tee Open is a golf tournament hosted by Golden Eagle Golf and Moonlite…

Whether you want to kick start your day with a hot cup of coffee or warm up and relax after a day of skiing or snowmobiling, the Whitefish Chain area has some fantastic coffee shops that are cozy, comfortable and make great coffee. Lakes Latte: Making its home base in…

No one knows comfort food like a Midwesterner in the dead of winter. That's why on the Whitefish Chain, we've got food that warms your heart and soul after a long day of playing in the snow. Every Tuesday, the Crosslake-Fifty Lakes American Legion (located in Crosslake) makes hot roast…

  Over the years, a family of pie makers has become well known across the Whitefish Chain and beyond for their delicious pies. Grandma Bettie Jane's pies are a Whitefish favorite. The pies are sold at Schaefer's Foods in Nisswa and at the A-Pine in Jenkins, and are made by…

That's right, Crosslake WinterFest and SoupFest are this weekend! It's a weekend when the city comes even more alive, taking in all the fun that winter has to offer. The weekend begins on Thursday, Feb. 2, with the release of the first WinterFest Medallion Hunt clue. One of the three…

This Sunday, Jan. 29, one of the longest-running ski races in the state will take place at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd. The Lumberjack Jaunt, now in its 43rd year, is a family-friendly race that's open to all ages and all abilities. Registration prices are from $20-$33 and include a…

Many tend to put their bikes in the garage for winter hibernation, but fat biking is becoming a popular winter two-wheel activity. And, just a short jaunt from the Whitefish Chain is one of the most popular fat biking areas in the state, and a premier mountain biking destination in…

Music to the ears of Whitefish Chain residents and visitors is the hum and buzz of snowmobile engines. And we've been hearing it a lot lately. Snowmobile trails- as well as cross-country ski trails- seem to be getting better and better every day. Just this morning (Jan. 11) another inch…

While typical ice fishing gets most of the attention in the winter on the Whitefish Chain, dark house spearing is a whole other facet of ice fishing, and a tradition in its own right. If you're unfamiliar, dark house spearing is as the name suggests- a small fish house with…

If you're spending your New Year's Eve on the Whitefish Chain, you've come to the right place. Local establishments all over the area are ready to ring in the New Year with fun and flare. Pine River Area The Pine River American Legion will have prime rib sandwiches on NYE…

Here on the Whitefish Chain, many of our favorite winter activities take place on the ice, whether it's ice fishing, hockey, skating, spearing, cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. But remember, before you head out on the ice, you'll want to be sure it's safe. The DNR always asks the public to…

The Whitefish Chain isn't just home to some of the most beautiful woods and lakes- it's also home to some fabulous artists and artisans. They're making one of a kind creations that reflect their surroundings and, it just so happens, make great holiday gifts. Birds, Bats and Beyond in Crosslake…

The Christmas spirit is high around the Whitefish Chain, and this weekend two more events will warm the heart and soul with holiday joy. This Saturday, Dec. 10 in Pequot Lakes, Santa's Bobbin' Into Town takes center stage, while Pine River is hosting its annual Parade of Lights. Pine River's…

This weekend, Crosslake has several holiday events you won't want to miss. Start your holiday fun Saturday, Dec. 3, at businesses around town, which will be offering special deals in honor of the annual Holiday at the Dam celebration. For the past few years, the Light Up the Dam Committee…

Whether you're on the Whitefish Chain for Thanksgiving or just for some fun in our recent 12-inch snowfall, the Chain is a great place for all your Christmas shopping. While Black Friday is always known as a day of shopping, don't for get to also shop on Small Business Saturday. Shops…

You've probably seen them around the Whitefish Chain- the larger-than-life, colorful and totally unique Babe the Blue Ox statues. But where did they come from? What's the story? The project was called the "Oxtrot" and was modeled after the Peanuts on Parade project in the Twin Cities. Josh Porter, owner…

It's essentially a Minnesota holiday: Firearms deer opener. At least, it is for us up here on the Whitefish Chain. Half a million people are expected to participated in the tradition of firearms deer opener this year. This year will be even more special because the Whitefish Chain's close neighbors,…

The week leading up to Halloween holds lots of fun activities all around the Whitefish Chain! From parties, to trick or treating, to spooky haunted villages, the Lakes Area has it all. Children's Halloween Parties/Events: Kids will love the annual Children's Halloween Party at the Crosslake Community Center on Oct. 29…

The leaves are in full color and the trails await- get out on your ATV or OHV on any of many four-wheeling trails that surround the Whitefish Chain. From state forests to grant in aid trails, there are lots of places to enjoy the woods on an ATV and see…

Starting Friday, Oct. 14, the Historic Log Village in Crosslake will be transformed into a the Haunted Village, an interactive walk-through Halloween show that raises money for the Crosslake Historical Society. This is the second year in a row that the village has been transformed into a home for witches,…

  The Whitefish Chain is officially lit up with color as the leaves on the maples, birches and oaks have begun their vivid change. The shorelines of the lake and area roadsides are showing off their stunning yellows, reds, oranges and purples. We've lined up all the best ways for you…

It's the perfect combination: the beauty of the north woods that encompass the Whitefish Chain, and the technology in our pockets that we all love so well. Geocaching uses the GPS on a smartphone (or a handheld GPS) to help treasure hunters find hidden containers. Once you start looking for…

It's the quiet that falls over the restaurant as the numbers are called, the anticipation of everyone there, with their tickets lined up on the table in front of them, and the cheering and jubilation of the winner: it's a meat raffle, and it's a Whitefish staple. If you don't…

It's that time of year again: when the leaves start to change, the days cool off, and we finally get to celebrate Crosslake Days! Crosslake Days is an annual September event in Crosslake that includes several events: a medallion hunt, craft fair, car show, chili cook-off, flea market and bazaar, outdoor…

Pine River Heritage Days have a long tradition in the north country. Every year the community showcases a time when fur traders and hobos unite. On Sept 9 - 11 features a free historic, pre-1830s encampment at Forbes Park which is the over the dam on the east side of…

On Sept. 10, Trailside Park in Pequot Lakes will be filled with vendors, crafts, food, activities and lots and lots of bikes. It's the first-ever Pedal Pequot, a celebration of the end of a busy summer on an early fall day. The Paul Bunyan Trail, a Rails-to-Trails project, runs right…

There's no shortage of fantastic artists around the Whitefish Chain. Whether painters, potters, sculptors or carvers, there's talent in the woods. And every year over Labor Day weekend, those artists show off their creations at Arts Off 84, an annual art crawl. This will be the ninth year for Arts…

Get outside, take to the tee and chuck that disc! Easy to learn, fun at all ages and open to even the specially able and disabled, disc golf is a great way to have fun as a group with family and friends. With three disc golf courses surrounding the Whitefish…

It's easy, peaceful, and a whole different perspective on the lake. Kayaking has been around for a long time, but many people don't realize just how easy, convenient and fun it is to kayak the Whitefish Chain area. Crosslake is home to Wind, Water and Wheels and Crow Wing Kayaks,…

Every year the Ideal Beef Feed is an annual tradition on the Whitefish Chain- one that nearly everyone in the area, whether a local, visitor or just passing through, stops to enjoy. The Ideal Beef Feed is a fundraiser for the Ideal Fire Department, a group of volunteer men and…

For a cloudy day, low-key afternoon or just when you need a break from the sun, there are plenty of opportunities to express your creative side while you visit the Whitefish Chain area. A couple of companies offer hosted painting classes or studio time where all the materials are provided-…

  Surfing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Minnesota’s lakes, but think again! One of the latest trends on the Whitefish Chain is to take to the water on a stand-up paddleboard (or “SUP”). Standing on the big boards, “SUPers” glide gently…

Attention music lovers of all ages: both Crosslake and Pequot Lakes host weekly outdoor concerts all summer long! Better yet, they're free! Local and travelling bands play family-appropriate music on Saturdays in both towns. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head to Crosslake's Town Square or Pequot Lakes' Trailside Park…

Every Thursday, yet another well-loved Whitefish Chain area event takes place- Market in the Park. Market in the Park is a weekly Pequot Lakes event that takes place throughout the summer. In the center of Pequot is the Trailside Park, and every Thursday vendors of all kinds line the trails…

One of the most popular events on the Whitefish Chain is almost here- the Whitefish Antique and Classic Wood Boat Rendezvous. On June 18, a huge variety of wood boats will descend on Moonlite Bay in Crosslake. The boats that line the dock at Moonlite Bay for the Rendezvous range…

It’s true, the day that marks the traditional end of frosts here at the Whitefish Chain is almost here. Get ready for blooming flowers, sprouting vegetables and happy tomato plants, because summer is about to officially start. Frost-free Friday is the last Friday in May. It’s also right around this…

Many visitors and even residents near the Whitefish Chain don’t realize that nearly every main road around the chain has eight foot shoulders- perfect for biking, walking or jogging. While most shoulders are only six feet wide, eight foot shoulders follow the entirety of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway (PBSB),…

A true Whitefish Chain holiday approaches: Fishing Opener. On May 14 the walleye season opens, and the outlook for fishing is good. Marc Bacigalupi is the area supervisor for the Brainerd Fisheries office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He and his team recently finished harvesting walleye eggs where…

The craft beer craze has not missed the Whitefish Chain area of Minnesota. Delicious beers are  brewed locally with great atmosphere at four area breweries. Roundhouse Brewing: The newest brewery to join the area’s craft beer family is Roundhouse Brewing, which is combining the history of the area with great…

Minnesota’s favorite birds have returned to their favorite state, with more on the way. Loons, great blue herons, hawks and raptors have all made their returns, while hummingbirds, orioles and other colorful songbirds are currently on their flights north. “Birds are just starting to arrive so it’s a fun time to…

Looking for signs of spring? Look for trillium, a delicate white flower with three petals, surrounded by three leaves. It’s a spring ephemeral, meaning it’s one of the very first flowers to appear in the springtime. One of the best places to find it on the Whitefish Chain is on…

Every summer for the past 10 years, the Crosslake Community Center has hosted the Chautauqua program, a once-monthly series of classes on varying topics. Every Chautauqua is different, open to the public, and free. Topics over the years have varied greatly. One class brought in Marla Spivak, one of the…

Every spring, the DNR sets up a fish trap on the northwest side of the Whitefish Chain so they can collect the eggs and sperm of spawning walleye. But the event isn’t just good for the DNR or the anglers who will benefit from stocked lakes- it’s also great opportunity…

  Greening grass and sunshine- the perfect ingredients for a picnic. The Whitefish Chain area happily supplies both, as well as beautiful views, fresh breezes and singing songbirds. There are several great places to have a picnic, but if you’d like to grill up some burgers or brats, the Crosslake…

  The ice is just starting to pull away from the shore on area lakes, and though the area is still waking with the occasional skiff of snow on the ground, most of the winter’s snowpack has melted. Migratory birds are starting to arrive, maple syruping is on and, well,…

Spring is the perfect time to search for the Lake Superior agate, the beautiful banded rock that’s the Minnesota state gemstone. While different kinds of agates are found all over the world, Lake Superior agates are marked by their red and white stripes. According to the DNR, Lake Superior agates…

Long before the resorts, the loggers and the dam that created the Whitefish Chain, the many lakes that now form the chain were home to the original Minnesota hunters fishermen- Native Americans. Evidence of residents in the Whitefish Chain area goes back 2,000 years, when Woodland Native Americans traveled through…

Want to hit the slopes, but don’t know how to ski or board? Maybe you’d love to go sledding, but dread dragging your sled back up the hill? Go snowtubing. Two separate tubing hills are just a short drive from the Whitefish Area. Primetime , in Breezy Point, offers weekend…

One of the best ways to explore the beauty and serenity of the woods is to take to them by snowshoe. We’ve gathered up some of the best areas with beautiful woods, wildlife and scenery to explore. The Crosslake Community Center rents snowshoes for $5 for two hours. Snowshoes can…

All around the Whitefish Chain, you’ll hear snowmobilers rejoice when the snow flies. That’s because there’s a whopping 1,000 miles of maintained trails in Crow Wing County and southern Cass County, where the Whitefish Chain is located. Local clubs do the work of maintaining and regularly grooming trails so that…

The city of Crosslake is hosting the 13th annual WinterFest, Feb. 5-6, 2016. Like most local town celebrations in the Whitefish Chain region, there will be drinking and dining specials, as well as great deals in every shop. (D0wnload this map for latest listing of deals/specials) But, most people come…

Looking for a good daytrip in the Lakes Area? Mount Ski Gull is a great option. Just a 20-minute drive from Pequot Lakes, Mount Ski Gull has low prices, short lift lines, and a terrain park the hill is proud of. Ski Gull welcomes skiers and boarders of all ages,…

  We have great news from the Whitefish Chain for all the cross-country skiers out there: we have snow and trails are being groomed! If you want a vacation that makes the most of winter, the Whitefish Chain is a great area. Among our large repertoire of winter outdoor fun…

  Long before tourism took hold on the Whitefish Chain, logging was the main industry that shaped the chain, allowing for the creation of cities and many homesteads, bringing the chain to life. The logging history of the chain is fascinating. All winter, lumberjacks toiled in the woods, cutting the large Norway pines…

  All the ice that we become familiar with in Minnesota winters is good for a lot of great activities, and not the least of them is ice skating. Surrounding the Whitefish Chain area are several local ice rinks, all free to use and lit by bright lights for the…

The 21st Annual Etta Steffen Memorial Ice Fest at Breezy Point will be held Jan 8 - 9, 2016 at Breezy Point Resort. Live entertainment at area eateries kicks off the fun on Friday night, with a full slate of activities on Saturday. The main attraction of this annual event…

For many people, the natural phenomena of the northern lights is a bucket list item. The glow that sometimes lights up the sky above the Whitefish Chain is an ethereal sight that is entirely unforgettable. Curtains of greenish or pinkish light dance across the sky, moving up and down in…

One of the best ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of winter is through birdwatching, and Christmas happens to be a great time get out and see some birds. This is the time of year when the annual Christmas Bird Count is conducted. This is your chance to birdwatch…

Winter is the season that many people love to hate. But around the Whitefish Chain, we love to love it — and that’s because there’s no shortage of fun things to do, and beautiful scenery in which to do them. Snowshoeing The Whitefish area is chock-full of great places to…

Soup tastes great year-round, but it really hits the spot in the cold months, especially here on the Whitefish Chain. That’s why we’re listing five of the locals’ favorite places to have homemade soup. 1) Timberjack Smokehouse Every Thursday, Timberjack Smokehouse in Pequot Lakes has a soup buffet with a…

Once late fall hits, It’s a time anxiously awaited by anglers and snowmobilers alike: ice-in. Ice-in happens at different times for each of the many lakes of the Whitefish Chain. The Department of Natural Resources keeps ice-in date records, though the only records it has for the Whitefish Chain are…

Brink said that he has most commonly seen owls at the Uppgaard Wildlife Management area on County Road 16. Uppgaard WMA is a great place to snowshoe or hike in the winter with 110 acres of forest to explore. Trail maps are available at the arched entrance. Brink has also…

Is the weather not cooperating? Perhaps you’ve had a few action-packed days outside, and need a break from the elements? Maybe you just ran out of sunscreen. Whatever the reason, indoor fun is only a hop, skip and jump away from the Whitefish Chain. Below, we highlight some of the…

Enjoy a daytrip driving tour of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Connecting many of the Lakes Area’s most beautiful cities is the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, a nationally-recognized byway, and there’s an interesting stop around every corner. Follow our daytrip recommendations and hit a few of the byway’s highlights. Birding,…

Visit Crosslake for an afternoon of outdoor winter fun, on Sat., Dec. 6. Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the campgrounds, meet Santa, enjoy hot cider, a campfire with s'mores, hot dogs and more! Learn more

Celebrate Fall and participate in the best chili tasting around as a part of the Celebrate Crosslake Days, Sept. 24-26, 2015. The 29th Annual Chili Cook-Off begins at Noon all around town (map) and continues until the chili is gone. Enjoy drinking and dining specials, as well as shopping and…