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Gull Lake

Minnesota · Natural · near Nisswa

9,418 acres 80 ft deep 12 ft clarity Water C
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6.3SCORE
Survey summary · Minnesota
9,418
Surface acres
80 ft
Max depth
38 mi
Shoreline
12 ft
Typical clarity
1,194 ft
Elevation

Gull Lake covers 9,418 acres in Minnesota and drops to 80 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Cass County rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Boating
  • Golf

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 6.6
Recreation 6.4
Value 5.0
Access 6.1
Investment 7.2

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

WalleyeNorthern pikeBassPanfish

On the water

BoatingGolfFishingResorts
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 40 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 382 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 80 ft max avg 26 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 80 ft, average 26 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown1 ft Drawdown seasonNone Trophic stateMesotrophic Typical clarity12 ft Water quality gradeC Elevation1,194 ft Managing authorityMN DNR

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityMN DNR Wake / speed rulesNo-wake 150ft
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with MN DNR that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Cass County rules

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$260,000
Median waterfront
$3,639
Per shoreline foot
+1.7%
Year over year
75
Est. inventory
29
Avg days on market
$557
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy43% Booked nights / yr113 Gross revenue$69,476 Net operating income$34,187 Yield on median price13.15%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Gull Lake actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$2,514
All-in per month
$61,490
Cash to close + setup
$9,600
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$30,169 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $16,439 (57%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $2,860 (10%) Property taxes $2,730 (9%) Utilities $2,700 (9%) Hazard insurance $1,400 (5%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (3%) Dock maintenance $900 (3%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (3%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$16,439
Property taxes$2,730
Hazard insurance$1,400
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$2,860
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$30,169
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