Gun (Aitkin)

Gun Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Gun Lake, originally named Manomin (Ojibwe for wild rice), is a 712-acre natural lake located 12 miles northeast of Aitkin and five miles south of Palisade in central Aitkin County, featuring a maximum depth of 44 feet with an average depth of 18 feet and nine miles of scenic shoreline. The lake has diverse habitat with sand as the primary substrate mixed with areas of gravel, rubble, muck, and silt, plus abundant aquatic vegetation including emergent, floating-leaf, and submerged species, though curly-leaf pondweed is present. This productive fishery with brown-tannin-stained water and normal clarity of 5 to 7 feet supports exceptional fishing primarily for Black Crappie and Bluegill, with Black Crappie populations currently abundant and fish over 10 inches sampled regularly despite slower growth rates. Anglers also target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and multiple bullhead species including Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, plus Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin, and Burbot creating a diverse ecosystem. With a public boat access on the southwest portion of the lake and Gun Lake Family Campground offering RV sites with full hookups for seasonal and short-term stays, the lake is ideal for fishing, boating, water sports, kayaking, swimming, and excellent ice fishing during Minnesota winters.

Located in Fleming Township near the small city of Palisade (population 162) where the Mississippi River flows through the area, Gun Lake sits approximately 60 miles northwest of Brainerd and 12 miles from the charming city of Aitkin on the Mississippi River. The surrounding area offers exceptional outdoor recreation with three state parks nearby including Hill River State Forest providing vast natural expanses for hiking, wildlife watching, and ATV trails. Aitkin features the Jaques Art Center showcasing regional artists in a historic setting with rotating exhibitions and workshops, the Aitkin County Historical Society and Depot Museum housed in a restored 1916 railroad depot exploring the area's logging and railroad heritage, and Ripple River Gallery offering fine art exhibitions and an outdoor sculpture trail. The area provides access to numerous excellent fishing lakes including nearby Big Sandy Lake, Lake Minnewawa, Round Lake, Farm Island Lake, Big Pine Lake, and Nelson Lake, plus the Long Lake Conservation Center near Palisade with environmental education and hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy Aitkin City Park with playgrounds, sports facilities, and summer events, Gun Lake Potato Farm for fresh local produce, the historic 40 Club supper club with classic American fare and live music, and easy access to Grand Casino Mille Lacs and the massive 200-square-mile Lake Mille Lacs just 30 miles south for additional fishing and recreation opportunities.

This beautifully handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Gun Lake would make a charming addition to your Minnesota cabin, lake home, or office, celebrating your connection to this productive Aitkin County fishing gem originally known by the Ojibwe name Manomin. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer of maple or birch that perfectly frames the lake's 712-acre shape and nine miles of shoreline detail, while the water depths are represented through a captivating gradient flowing from light blue in the shallow 18-foot average vegetated areas to rich deeper blue at the 44-foot maximum depth. Every bay, weed bed, depth contour, and distinctive feature is precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction, creating a three-dimensional piece of wall art that beautifully captures the character and exceptional crappie and bluegill fishing heritage of this beloved central Minnesota lake just minutes from the Mississippi River and Palisade.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."