Arctic Blast 16 Pictures From Around The Lake

Minnesota Vikings Arctic Blast 16

A photo compilation from Arctic Blast 16 as we followed current and former vikings and team officials around Mille Lacs Lake on Saturday, February 12.

New Web Site Rolls Out Today

This will be the last post on our old website. Later today, you will see a new Make It Mille Lacs website that incorporates YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Flicker. It's much easier to update, yet it compromises the staples we've provided over the last two years. It's been great watching our number of followers add up over the last three years, culminating with more than 340 visitors per day in January 2010. We think you'll like our new coverage with Mille Lacs updates posting right to our home page. We maintain the same makeitmillelacs.com URL, so save us to favorites and enjoy the ride!

Early Spring Means $$$ at Mille Lacs

Fiddlestix Golf Course in Isle was open April 1st. Izatys opened its operation the same day and its golf course is scheduled to open April 16. With this unseasonably warm weather, it seems folks are getting out and coming to Mille Lacs a bit earlier than normal. It appears that Mille Lacs ice-out should occur this week. The satellite view shows about 1/3 of the lake has ice on it and with the winds of today through Wednesday, it should be gone. People are thinking about getting their boats out of storage, uncovering their winter patio furniture and raking their yards. Let's just hope Mother Nature doesn't send us back into the lows 40s and pound us with April Showers now. For the readings in Cove Bay, the Mille Lacs lake level is about 10.70 which is about the same as it was on December 6th before ice over. Normally the lake level is up a fair amount, so we probably could use some well-timed rain this month. Expect to see Tribal netters on the lake as soon as the ice is off. The nice thing about the early ice is that these netters should be off the lake for at least two weeks prior to the May 15th fishing opener.

Izatys Re-Opening April 1st

Izatys Resort will re-open April 1st with Club 19's bar and restaurant springing back into action. There have been some major changes to the staffing at the Resort, which will be run this season by Jason and Sherry Tollette. Buyer Roy Winjum is still in the purchase phase and an mid-summer closing is expected. Robert Wilsey will serve as the head bar manager. Kevin Aho returns as head chef. We were told that the golf course will re-open on or about April 15th, which is about two weeks earlier than planned. Steve and Tony Tideman will be taking over duties at Walleye World/Marina. There is a special Easter dinner on April 4th from 10-3pm for $10.95. Call to make reservations for dinner at 320-532-4574.

Fiddlestix Golfing Opening This Weekend

Fiddlestix Golf Course in Isle could be open as early as this weekend, according to Harley Exstad, owner. That would make it the earliest opening on record for the 18-hole golf course. Adding a couple extra weeks of business to the schedule should help Fiddlestix to another great golf year. They have a bevy of tournaments scheduled already. Visit their new website at for to schedule a tee time, get a membership or learn about their specials.

Izatys Resort's Blackbrook Golf Course won't open that quickly, but it is on pace to open several weeks earlier than normal. The Club 18 bar and restaurant opens April 1st and will be open weekends until the golf course is open. The Izatys Tuesday men's league meeting is April 13th at 6 pm at the clubhouse. Interested members can visit for more information on memberships and golf prices.

March 20th Poker Run breaks the doldrums

The ice fishing season is waning and the time between that and the opener is usually fairly slow around Mille Lacs. To combat boredom, a group of area bars have banded together to offer a fun, free Poker run.

You get a card at each location and show up at BayView at 8 pm for a chance to win the $75 first prize for the best five-card poker hand. There are cash prizes for second through fifth place. The event starts at noon on March 20th. There are eight participating locations: Onamia Vets Club, BayView, Muggs, Wahkon Inn, Isle Bowl, Hunter's Point, Fishermen's Wharf and Liberty Beach.

Countdown to Sixth Annual Kite Crossing March 5-7

Notice of Challenge!

Mille Lacs Kite Crossing Date: Friday thru Sunday, March 5-7 Site: Garrison Bay, Garrison, MN.

Event Format: A weekend of freeriding, endurance race, expressionsession, gear demos, instruction and more. Riders are encouraged tospend the weekend in Garrison or nearby. Saturday’s Banquet is free to all registered riders.

Race Details: Endurance race across Mille LakesSchedule: TBD and announced by the Race Committee at the Kiters Meeting Categories: Ski Men, Snowboard Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Women, Juniors (16 and under).Qualifications: The race is open to anyone willing to give it a try.

Format: The race will be a long-distance, kite endurance run. The Race Committee will determine the course based upon the conditions of the day. Details of the race are provided at the Kiter’s meeting.If you intend to race you must attend the Kiters meeting. Expect distances of 20+ miles, with shorter courses available. Snowmobile support will be provided along the course. Helmets are Mandatory.

For registration details contact organizers at Fleet-8@juno.com