Minnesota Resorts Blog

    The new pond is a welcome sight to the north side of the lodge.  We have planned a spot for a small garden.  There is a berm and plantings around it.  When I was looking for water plant life, I spotted a little baby frog.  I scooped it up and now it is living in the new pond.  I hope the little gold fish we put in the pond leave it alone.  The cleaning girls are working diligently at doing a Spring clean to all  the buildings.  Even though we are open year round, there is still a lot of things to take care of.   We have hired many of the same cleaning staff as we have had  the past few years.  Deb did still have to run an newspaper ad for cleaners. She must have had 50-100 calls.  We felt bad as we only needed 7 new girls.  We try to hire people that are close to the resort, so they don’t have to drive very far.  But we had applicants from up to 40 miles away.     Jim 

   The birds are everywhere. The buds are starting to open.  We are spending this week rebuilding one side of the boat launch.  Here at Kohls resort we have our own launch, its a pretty nice one,  but one of the sides is starting to cave in.  The prior owner rebuilt the other side 9 years ago. We have already rented a backhoe and tore out the old timber wall. We have also used the backhoe to slope the sides and reform them.  There is still a little bit of frost in the ground and it is making the job more difficult than it should be.  Just this morning we had a concrete truck here and laid a bed of concrete in a trench to set the first course of boulders.  Tomorrow we will be laying the second through forth rowof boulders.  As long as I had the backhoe here I started work on the new pond.  I have already got the liner and recirculating pump purchased.     Check out the new wall at www.kohlsresort.com   Jim

    The ice is gone and we have been spending a few days putting in the docks.  I see a lot of ducks and eagles flying around.  The loons have been making noise for a few weeks already.  This year instead of concentrating on all the boats we are going to work on the boat ramp and digging a pond.  We will be clean and set up the boats only as needed, instead of getting them all in the water right away.  It seem as if I put all the boats in right away, a Spring storm always sinks one or two. So lets keep them on land till rented.  The parking lot this time of year is always a mess, I grade it every 2 days as it is drying out.  The biggest thing is the frost coming out so the water can sink into the ground.    Jim

   We just had the resort full of wedding guests.  They all seemed to have a great time at the wedding.  They had a bus from town rented and that drove the group around.  I wish the weather would have been nicer, there was a slight drizzle for 1/2 the time they were here.  The leave are really turning colors now. we are almost at full peak, next weekend will be the time to fully enjoy the blaze of oranges, reds,purples, and yellows.  The fishing has been really good this Fall. We just had a group here fishing, and they were limiting every type of fish.  Two of the days the group cleaned fish and brought us a pan of fresh fillets.  Mmm  they tasted good.    Some Egg, shore lunch batter, and salt.  Fresh fish, nothing better.  1/2 the docks and lifts are out of the water. We are mowing the lawn and shredding the leaves that are starting to fall.  We like keeping right on top of the leaves as they fall.  The grass is so green this time of year, I want to enjoys it’s green color.  In one month the leaves will be gone, then the month later the grass will be covered with snow.    Jim

  We are starting to get just a hint of our fall color.  We have a large grouping of maple trees on our property, and they give us a great showing of oranges and reds in the Fall.  Oh by the way if you need to book any Fall fishing trips just look at our website www.kohlsresort.com  we can help you find the right cabin for your group.   It’s after Labor Day and we will be starting the winter prep now.  We will be pulling the unreserved boats, and any unneeded docks and lifts.  The water is still relatively warm so getting into the water in our swim suits is still preferred.  last year I attached cables to the lifts so pulling them out would be easier.  There are 25 sections of dock here and it will take many days to get them all pulled out. A portion of them will have to stay in the water till the middle of October to accommodate fall fishing.

Do you need a reservation for Fall colors?  Go to   www.kohlsresort.com  Check out our Fall activities.  Bike ride down the many miles of tree lined forest paths.  Walk the trails at Itaska State park. Actually we have within a short drive many trail systems for you wondering enjoyment.  The next 2 weekend we are almost booked full as there is a birthday celebration the first weekend.  Then the next weekend we are hosting a wedding.  All the guests are flying into the State.  The two people getting married went to Bemidji state University, and they thought it would be great to have the wedding up here, where they had first started creating memories together. 

    The steak cookout is always a good time but this weeks cookout was even more special.  we had a family reunion that has never been here before, and their group came to the cookout, I cooked 60 steaks, 20 hamburgers, and 13 hot-dogs, that is a nice large turnout.  There was a large variety of foods brought by everyone.  I am especially happy when someone brings a fruit salad, the kind with cool whip added.  Mm Mm Mm  good.  We had a cabin with a family that was new to our lake, they were just not catching very many fish. I introduced that family to a family that has been coming for years, and they hit it off really well, the guys went fishing together, and they all brought back lots of fish, the ladies went in town together for some shopping.  That’s the way resorting should be,,,, meeting friends.   Jim

     Try out the new speed boat at Kohls resort.  It has an 220 hp I/O, and rips up the water. This week we took the  boat out with quit a few guests, we have skis, wake-board, knee board, and various tubes, including a new “Great big mable”  a 4 person platform.  The weather is hot and dry, just the way all the beach/sunbathers like it.  Some of the guests took some beach time off to go to the indoor pool and relax out of the suns rays, just to get a break.  I saw 1 guy that looked cooked, I think he forgot to put sunscreen on, and he looks like a tomato.  I don’t think he will sleep well tonight. To make a reservation go to www.kohlsresort.com        Jim

    This is from a repeat guest, who treats us to a great fish fry 1 day during their stay.   Thanks to theHaller family:

   The Haller’s Steve, Debbie, Abbie, Natalie, Mary Ann & Art.

Visiting from Cedar Rapids, IA & Ste. Genevieve, MO.

Came to vacation, fish & Relax.  Temps were High 75-80 degrees F, lows 55-60 degrees F, little rain on Sunday, Hi winds Friday, over all nice.  Fished for Walleyes, Bass & Bluegills, swam in lake & pool, played on trampoline, built two Sand Castles(Boat w/fishing rods) & (Kohl’s Turtle), went on Mississippi River Canoe Trip, participated in all resort activities and we fished.

People I met:  Sam & Jerry in cabin #2, Eldean & Audrey from Texas.

Places I would recommend, The Mississippi Headwaters @Itasca State Park is nice.  We also recommend the Canoe Trip.

Favorite moments, Spending time with the family playing games & fishing.  Participating in Kohl’s Resort Activities(minnow races, sand castle contest, BBQ, etc.

This is our 4th year @ Kohl’s Resort.  It really is a nice place to relax & spend quality time with your family whether you enjoy fishing (which our family clearly does), tubing behind the boat, swimming, relaxing on the beach, participating in fun resort activities or just sitting back and enjoying the surrounding.  This area is fun.  We’ll be back next year to enjoy the lake, friends, & family.     Steve Haller

P.S.  We came with Steve’s brother and his family who stayed in cabin #19.  Spending time with “FAMILY” is very important and “FUN”.         Debbie

Grandma & Grandpa are so proud of our sons & families.  It is so great that they invite us to come with them.  We had so much fun & being with family is #1.  Here at Kohl’s Resort you can definitely relax and fish whenever you want  Oh!  What great “FUN”!    Grandma & Grandpa Haller From - Missouri

   Today is the 4th of July, let the celebration begin.  This morning is Big Turtle Lake’s annual Boat parade.  At 11:00 am all our resorts boats will join the lake owners as we drive around the lake.  Out jet skis drivers will go up to every dock, and boat to deliver bags of candy to the onlookers.  After the parade this year I will take kids out on the speed boat for a fast trip around the lake.  In the afternoon we will start setting up for our fireworks display.  We will move all the boats, and trampoline to protected areas.   Then We set up our sand bunkers, hoses, and chairs.  In the evening around 8:45 we start the little ones out with sparklers, and smoke bombs.   Then the teens help us set off some nice middle size fireworks.  After dark we and 1 of our repeat customers will set off the big stuff. The display will take about 2 hours in all, and everyone has a great time.  See you next 4th of July.   jim