About Go Lake Pepin

FAQs

  • A comprehensive regional website that connects local residents and visitors to the Lake Pepin & Mississippi River, Pool 4’s communities, local businesses, experiences, events, accommodations, dining & so much more!

  • Lake Pepin Communities:

    Frontenac, MN

    Lake City, MN

    Reads Landing, MN

    Bay City, WI

    Maiden Rock, WI

    Stockholm, WI

    Pepin, WI

    Mississippi River Pool 4 Communities and Villages:

    Red Wing, MN

    Wabasha, MN

    Hager City, WI

    Nelson, WI

    Alma, WI

    Plus, Communities within 30 minutes of Lake Pepin:

    Durand, WI

    Ellsworth, WI

    Plum City, WI

    Arkansaw, WI

    Elgin, MN

    Millville, MN

    Zumbro Falls, MN

    Bellchester, MN

    Hay Creek, MN

    Goodhue, MN

    Welch, MN

  • Each community, village and town is valuable to the region; however, this website focuses on communities that have shoreline access to Lake Pepin and/or Mississippi River Pool 4, are within 30 minutes AND they have a USPS zip code.

    If you have questions/suggestions, please contact us!

  • The entire Mississippi River spans from northern Minnesota’s Itasca State Park to the delta waters of Louisiana. Throughout the river are lock and dams that are numbered. Within the Lake Pepin region, lock and dams are found just to the north and south of the lake. Lock and dam #3 is located in Welch, Minnesota (Red Wing area) and lock and dam #4 is located in Alma, Wisconsin. The water area between the two lock and dams is called a pool and is named after the hnumber from the southernmost lock and dam. This means that Lake Pepin is located within Mississippi River’s Pool 4 and is named after Alma’s lock and dam.

    Interested in learning more about area locks and dams? Check out these links.

    Locks and dams of the upper Mississippi River

    Lock and Dam No. 4 Alma, Wisconsin

    Lock and Dam No. 3 Welch, Minnesota

  • To amplify awareness of all of Lake Pepin and Mississippi River Pool 4’s communities, businesses, organizations, tourism and events through a comprehensive, regional website.

  • Care - Passionately support local businesses (online, in-person, emotionally and more)! Build relationships and a new regional and supportive community.

    Inclusivity - Support equal access to races, genders, ethnicities, disabilities/abilities, age groups and more.

    Innovation - Provide and/or support novel ideas for communities, businesses, customers and locals that further supports the greater good of the region. Offer a new advertising space for businesses to reach a wider customer-base within the region.

    Communication - Provide regional blog articles, social media posts, Google reviews, email newsletters and more to keep the region current and up-to-date on area happenings (i.e. events, businesses, must-knows, etc.)

    Learn - Openness to learning more about the region, its people, businesses, organizations and the area’s culture while encouraging discussions and support for cultural shifts (i.e. inclusivity and diversity).

    Fun - Encourage four seasons of local adventures and community involvement in each part of the region.

Go Lake Pepin Owner Sara Casey and family

About the Owner and Idea of Go Lake Pepin

Almost 40 years ago, I was born into a family that has existed in the Lake Pepin area for over 100 years. With the close proximity to the lake as an advantage, my childhood memories are filled with adventures of walleye fishing, boating, building sandcastles, swimming and spending time with my grandparents, parents, siblings and friends on Lake Pepin. After I graduated high school in Lake City, MN, I completed my Nursing degree and continued working for Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  Eventually, I met my husband and his career brought us across the border to Durand, Wisconsin.  

Shortly after our move, the 2020 pandemic hit and life got tricky with 4 kiddos (1 stillborn and 1 with autism) and my new chronic migraines. So, I made the difficult decision to leave my nursing career at Mayo Clinic (21 years of employment!) behind and I’ve been a stay-at-home mom ever since.  Over the span of a year or two, a lot of healing and wellness happened, but boredom set in.  Thankfully, a window of opportunity opened when a friend posted on social media that they were looking for a copywriter and I jumped on the opportunity.  (It was the best decision I’ve ever made!).

Over the next year, I’ve worked various remote roles that have included social media content & digital creator, virtual assistant, bookkeeper, real estate transaction coordinator, website content writer and more! In turn, I found myself craving business podcasts, reading growth and development books, following social media accounts of local businesses and enhancing my digital skills.  It was through these projects that I came to the realization that the Lake Pepin area was missing something—a comprehensive website.

In March of 2023, the idea of Go Lake Pepin, a regional website, was born.  Go Lake Pepin’s mission is to connect shoreline communities, towns and villages that border Lake Pepin and/or Mississippi River Pool 4.  In turn, locals and visitors will have access to local information that includes businesses, events, dining, shopping, adventures and more.  

In May of 2023, I excitedly launched this website. Over the past year, it has evolved (i.e. newsletter, committees, social media) and continues to light me up every single day. I look forward to the coming years and continuously developing the Go Lake Pepin brand and digital space for the Lake Pepin region. Additionally, I look forward to partnering with more businesses, community committees, Chambers of Commerces, locals and learning to continuously improve this regional website.  


Thank you for your support and if you have questions or suggestions, please send me a email at sara@golakepepin.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!  

-Sara Casey

Owner/CEO Go Lake Pepin, LLC

2024 Memberships

  • Durand Improvement Group (DIG) - Durand, WI

  • Lake City Tourism Committee (Board Member)—Associated with the Lake City Chamber of Commerce - Lake City, MN

Recognized as a Community and/or Tourism Resource For: