It's Official

The spring we have longed for has finally come:  The ice was literally blown off the lake over night.  The winds this morning were around 20 miles per hour.  According to our records that is 4 days later than the latest recorded date of May 7, 1996.

Another sign of spring was the opening of fishing season. This was all the more fun this year as Governor Dayton and friends held the official opener in Park Rapids.  There were many celebrations including a community picnic down town.  The pictures below are of some of the Long Lake people who were volunteering.  They represent just 3 of the many who lent their time and talents to this successful event!

Busy Weekend: Governor's Fishing Opener in Park Rapids

Just in case you have not seen all the activities planned for this weekend, here is the Chamber of Commerce poster about the GFO.  Lots of fun and we are all hoping for a sunny day.  Many Long Lake people are volunteers at events, so come and join us.

Loons and the Spring Newsletter

Loon, May 2013
Photo by Barb Roberts

Barb Roberts sent us these photos today telling us, "A pair of loons are back on the north end of Long Lake.  Larry & I put the artificial loon nest out today.  This is the second year we've put it out.  They didn't use it last year but we are hoping they will give it a try this year!"
We, too, hope the nesting platform will get used this year.  Thanks Barb and Larry.

Another sign of spring is LLAA's spring newsletter!  We've just posted it and you can find it by scrolling down toward the bottom of the "Board Communications" page or by following this link:  2013 Spring Newsletter

Nesting Platform
Photo by Barb Roberts

What a difference 4 days make!

It seems like everyone is talking about the weather.  How will the ice ever melt by the fishing opener?  Will the big piles of snow left by the snow plows ever go away?  When can we get back into the cabins?

On April 1st we had a temperature of 28 degrees and lots of snow on the ground.  The temperatures stayed in the 30s maybe hitting 40° in an afternoon, but snow continued.  Finally, on April 26th, we had a temperature of 61 degrees.  Still, there was so much snow around that it didn't feel like we would ever get out on the lake.  Well, what a difference 4 days makes!  We have had 4 days of 60 degree weather; the sun is out with a strong but warm wind today.  Most of the snow is gone.  The lake ice has started to come away from the shore and it has turned a dark color. (Meaning it is slushy ice, not snow on the lake.)  The first picture was taken on April 26th and the rest were taken today.  There is hope for spring and even summer.

Your Favorite Place in Minnesota

Tell us (and the world) all about your favorite place in Minnesota!  Conservation Minnesota has announced a new venue for people to share about the places in Minnesota that are special to them.

"Nearly everyone in Minnesota has a favorite place they go to enjoy the great outdoors around the state.  Be it a park in the middle of the city or a place well off the beaten path, these places are what we look to when we tell the story about why we think Minnesota is such a great place to live."  

Screen Shot

"The web tool, "Minnesota's Favorite Places" allows people to submit descriptions of their favorite places, as well as review the submissions of others. The state map also includes a search tool that allows users to find locations close to where they are, or where they are going, to check out places other people recommend.  The hope of the site is to get more people excited about the great outdoors and committed to helping preserve the abundance of opportunity that exists."

Check it out:   Minnesota's Favorite Places

Will Winter Ever End?

The governor's fishing open is less than 30 days from today, but Park Rapids is continuing to get storm after storm adding snow instead of melting ice.  The Park Rapids Enterprise, Lakeland Public TV plus numerous Facebook friends have been commenting about when the ice will go out.  Will the governor actually get to go in a boat on the Fish Hook?    Take a look at this report from LakeLand Public TV.. it was posted on Facebook too.

You are Needed for the Fishing Opener

(AP Photo/Pioneer Press, Ben Garvin)

As you may have heard, the governor has picked Park Rapids to open fishing season this year.  Since Long Lake Area Association is part of COLA, we have been asked to provide volunteers.  Sharon Natzel is one of the organizers and they need our support.

There are several two hour positions for fun, educational activities designed for kids on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Governor's Fishing Opener Community Picnic, plus many other opportunities during the media focused celebration of our area through the weekend.  Come join in the fun!  Be sure to tell them that you are a member of Long Lake Area Association.  Just follow the links below to learn more.

Lake Association Member Opportunities

Kids Fishing Event Volunteer Expectations