Anchor Inn Resort Blog - Home

In the infinite wisdom of state government, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, decided to develop a new touch screen license system.  However, they did not seek funding to provide equipment to all existing agents.  Unfortunately, we did not receive approval for continuation as agents even though we have been licensed agents at Anchor Inn long before electronic licensing existed.  We will be appealing their decision, but we are not hopeful.   Since we are not open year round and twenty-four a day they will probably deny our appeal; they based their decisions on availability to public and hours of operation.  The majority of resorts are not open year round or twenty-four hours per day.

We are encouraging our customers to make their license purchase prior to arrival at Anchor Inn to ensure they can get their line in the water as soon as possible.   We do not have an up-to-date list of local license agents since the new touch screen system has been implemented.  The list of agents on the DNR site is not accurate.

We will be making arrangements to have an internet terminal available to our customers to obtain license from the online system.  The state charges an extra $3.50 convenience fee for purchases made on-line using a credit card.  It is interesting that they are allowed to charge this fee, since our credit card agreements specifically forbid us from charging a fee for the use of a credit card.

As you can tell, we are not happy with this.  The state is bragging that they were able to save over one million dollars, but they did not calculate the additional cost to the public for traveling to different locations for their license or paying additional fees for online purchases.  They make the rules for the convenience fees too.  Isn’t it strange agents receive $1.00 for each license sold and the DNR receives $3.50 for no customer contact at all.

Let the Department of Natural Resources know your opinion.

Wolf at Pete's dock

We had some quests on the river over the weekend.  Click on the images to see enlarged.  Thank you to Don and Martie Wilson, our neighbors, for the photos.

Wolf at first bend in river north of lodge

This year, 2009,  produced good fishing at Anchor Inn Resort .  The following are the winners of the fishing contest:

 No one entered their walleye in the contest, but there were a lot of nice walleye.   There was an abundance of small walleye which indicates there is a strong class of fish coming up.   The stocking of Sand  and Little Sand Lakes continue through the combined efforts of the Sand Lake Property Owners Association and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  This Fall a total of 1,897 pounds of fingerings were stocked.  The cool summer and abnormally warm September did impact some of the usual patterns of fishing and hunting.

Fishing Opener for 2010 is Saturday, May 15.  Make your reservations now for the opener!!

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is considering implementing new limits of only five each on Sunfish, Perch and Crappie on the Sand Lake Chain.  You will have an opportunity to voice your opinion on their website www.dnr.state.mn.us during a public comment period next spring, summer and fall.  If this were enacted into the regulations it would take place in 2011.   Your opinions and comments make a great deal of difference.

 The best hunting this year was the grouse.  Field and Stream has ranked the Chippewa National Forest as the Number 1 grouse hunting location in the United States.  We had several parties who were flushing better than 20 birds a day.   The Whitetail deer herd is down.  The DNR just reported that the  statewide harvest is down 19% from last year and the Grand Rapids area is down 26%.

We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of our guests.  Improvements in our facilities are ongoing to make your stay with us comfortable.

In 2008 we opened our new cabin 7 which provides four bedrooms and two bathes for large groups or small groups who wish to have ample room and modern facilities.  This unit has a large living room with a 37 inch flat screen television hooked to cable.  You also will enjoy wireless internet access.  The living room adjoins the dining and kitchen so that you can enjoy the company of your party while relaxing, eating, and cooking.  All of these areas open to a deck and view of Little Sand Lake.  Call for details or special pricing depending on availability.

We continue improvements on resort property. The big project for 2009 was installing insulation and pine ceiling on Cabin #1, the A-Frame.  Prior to opening in 2010, we will install new carpeting, rebuild the lakefront wall with new windows, and create a second bedroom from the large living room.

New Pine Ceiling, Fans & Lights

We hope to make improvements on the bait house, construct a new fish cleaning house and shower house in the coming year.

In August 2010, the Anchor Inn Bridge is scheduled for replacement.  The wooden bridge has been a memorable location to many generations of anglers.  The new plans include a fishing platform on the north side of a concrete bridge as well as wider road  and shoulders.  This will provide a safer location for vehicles and pedestrians.   There are also plans to include curbs and a sidewalk back to the Anchor Inn drive entrance.  We are working on plans to restore the shoreline of  river to native vegetation which will be disturbed during construction.  Although road traffic will only be open from the west, the river will remain open for boaters and anglers.  If you need directions when traveling to Anchor Inn Resort or to area attractions during construction we will be glad to assist you.

Cumulus Radio Home, Vacation & RV Show – Rochester, Minnesota

Graham Arena – Olmsted County Fairgrounds

Bud & Gin's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Your hosts had a busy year. Bud and Gin enjoyed a trip to Florida during the winter and a trip back to the Earl Park Fall Festival to celebrate his 60th high school class reunion. Grand-daughter,
Sarah, graduated from college. They surprised her and parents, Randy and Kim, by attending the ceremonies. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October along with all their children. The Kitterman Family sang at the Sand Lake Alliance Church. A pig roast followed with sharing of photos from the past 60 years and capped off with singing from a local folk singer, John Perkins, enjoyed by neighbors from around the Sand Lake community.

Cheryl and Dan continued the work on construction of their Geodesic Dome Home down the road from the resort.

House dome on left; garage dome on right connected by entryway

Carol and Tom began construction of their Northwoods home next door to Rick and Peg.

Carol and Tom's home

Both houses are under roof and interior work and finishing of the exterior will begin next year. All of the family members assisted on these projects.

Randy and Kim have begun initial planning for their future cabin in the woods.

Dan completed his third season at Anchor Inn. Rick and Peg have completed six seasons. Bud and Gin have completed twenty-five seasons. Tom and Carol are looking forward to retirement in about three years. Anchor Inn has been in the Kitterman family since 1968, forty-one years.

We enjoy hosting our guests here at Anchor Inn Resort.  We hope you enjoy your stay.  Feel free to post your comments regarding your stay with us in Northern Minnesota.  Please post your First names, City and State only.

Legendary Fishing

Anglers find a sportsman’s paradise at Anchor Inn Resort.  Our unique location on the shore of the Bowstring River offers our guests lake access to Minnesota fisheries like Bowstring Lake, Big Sand Lake, Little Sand Lake and the Bowstring River.  Walleye, northern pike, crappie, sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and perch all thrive in the clean and unspoiled waters of the winding Bowstring River.  Anglers come from miles around to fish from the “Anchor Inn Bridge.”  Its walkway, just a few feet from our front door, produces everything from stingers of sunfish to buckets of bullhead as well as wall-mount walleye and trophy-size northern pike.  Our guests often find a shady spot under a tree and shore fish along the resort’s mile-long river frontage.  Just downstream is Rice Lake, a spectacular fish hatchery, with 817 acres of sun-warmed shallow water nearly covered with wild rice.