Portable Ice Bar on Lake Lida Approved for Charitable Gambling
The seasonal Ice Hole Bar on Lake Lida has received county approval to offer charitable gambling, pending the usual state and local licenses and permits. The proposal would let Erhard 4th of July organizers run gambling events on selected Fridays and Saturdays in January and February, bringing fundraising and winter recreation to the Pelican Rapids area while raising questions about safety and oversight.
County officials have approved a proposal allowing the Ice Hole Bar to offer charitable gambling on Lake Lida, subject to the organizers obtaining required licenses and permits. The portable fish house style dining and entertainment setup will be placed each winter near the public access off County Highway 4 in the Pelican Rapids area. If all permits are secured, Erhard 4th of July organizers plan to host gambling events on a slate of Fridays and Saturdays during January and February.
The Ice Hole Bar operates seasonally, assembled on the lake surface each winter and removed when warmer weather returns. The novelty of a portable ice bar has attracted attention from residents and visitors who see it as a new option for cold season recreation and local food and entertainment. Organizers have indicated the gambling proceeds would benefit a local charitable partner, creating a fundraising channel for community activities tied to Erhard Fourth of July events.
Local officials highlighted that approvals are contingent on compliance with state gambling rules and on obtaining any additional permits required for temporary operations on the lake. County commissioners reviewed the proposal and discussed logistics and safety oversight for recreational operations that sit directly on the ice. Anticipated permit conditions include requirements intended to ensure public safety, responsible operation, and environmental protection of the lake area.
For residents of Otter Tail County, the decision signals both opportunity and responsibility. The events could bring modest economic activity to nearby businesses, increase winter visitors to the Pelican Rapids area, and help finance community celebrations in Erhard. At the same time, the presence of a seasonal venue on the ice raises practical considerations for ice thickness monitoring, emergency access, and parking at the public access on County Highway 4.
The approval follows growing interest in winter attractions that leverage natural assets in northern climates. Local regulators must balance community benefits with public safety and regulatory compliance, particularly when temporary structures occupy public waters. Organizers now must complete licensing steps and secure any permits before the gambling nights can proceed.
As winter approaches, residents and visitors will be watching how the Ice Hole Bar prepares for the season, and how county oversight adapts to a mobile, on lake entertainment model. The outcome will shape not only fundraising for local events but also how temporary recreational enterprises operate on area lakes going forward.
