Fishing Northern Minnesota

[fishcrib]

Looking to plan a fishing trip to Northern Minnesota this summer. Can anyone help with a lake recommendation to get a cabin and has descent fishing. We like walleye fishing so that would be #1 fish.

Looking at Canada too, but hard to find a place that has cabin rental instead of the price per person rate.

Can anyone chime in on Lake Vermillion, Leech lake, ect?

Thanks

 

[G]

You are already driving a long ways if you are coming from IL. Why not go about 150 miles more and go to Lake of the Woods? I went to Vermillion 5 years ago and caught all the fish there so there are none left to catch there anyway. The cormorants ate all the fish in Leech so don't bother with that either. Call Ballard's Resort at LOW. 218 634 1849.

 

[fishcrib]

Thanks Grub...maybe fish are back in Vermillion since it's been 5 years.lol
How's Crane lake? Looking for a place I can rent a cabin at a flat rate and instead of their per person rate.

 

[G]

Maybe the best thing you could do is start checking websites for cabin rates. Never fished Crane. But it is a really nice area. Ice fishing has been generally horrible up here this season. Which might be good for summer fishing. I hope so anyway.

 

[oldguy]

I live on Vermilion, it’s hit or miss for Walleyes. Bass is ok and muskies is pretty good. We always do good early in the season. The best way to get a cabin rental is go on VRBO. There is Fortune Bay Casino and lots of resorts from plush to basic as well.

 

[skiroule]

Would you be bringing a boat, renting a boat, or looking at launch service?

Red Lake can be a good Walleye lake, especially early in the summer. It seems to get a lot of winter fishing pressure now but it’s hard to say if that is affecting the summer bite.

Lake of the Woods is arguably the best Walleye lake in far northern MN and there are a lot of lodging options. The resorts on the south shore of the lake are pretty much geared toward fishing the Big Traverse which is an excellent fishery. I fished it one late summer afternoon last year with Grub, who has a boat that scoffs at rough water (the Big Traverse can be rough if the wind is up). The fish weren’t real active but we caught fish including two nice Walleyes (25” and 26”).

It is worth considering the Canadian side of the lake, it’s more protected and there is much less fishing pressure. Also, with the Canadian dollar being what it is, it becomes more of a bargain. The type of lodging you’re looking for is more sparse as there are fewer resorts and as you mentioned, most seem to favor a per person rate structure but there are several resorts less than 40 mi. from the border.

 

[fishcrib]

Thanks everyone for the input.
Considering Lake Oahe in South Dakota now.

We used to go to Canada every year, but haven't been for several years.
Kind of a hassle with getting passports now and kind of expensive (if you have to pay for your children too).

 

[bearrassler]

Have you considered Devils Lake, ND. The walleye fishing can be great and there are a couple of nice resorts.

 

[Wyelde]

You should look at the lakes in Voyager national park as well. Kabatogoma, Namakan, Rainy and Crane. Good fishing, incredibly scenic, and lots of lodging choices. All in Minnesota except for part of Rainy

 

[POLARISDAN]

You are already driving a long ways if you are coming from IL. Why not go about 150 miles more and go to Lake of the Woods? I went to Vermillion 5 years ago and caught all the fish there so there are none left to catch there anyway. The cormorants ate all the fish in Leech so don't bother with that either. Call Ballard's Resort at LOW. 218 634 1849.

you will need a big boat on LOW..took my 17' there last year..not big enough to get out there