Where to go?

[iced over]

Every year I try to do an extended weekend ice fishing trip with some buddies. It is usually on Mille Lacs because of the variety of sleepers and its close to the cities. We are looking for a change this year. Any suggestions from experience? We don't need to have a sleeper, a cabin will do. Within 3 hrs of the cities and of course, some fish.

Thanks

[Northlander]

Within 3 hours? Not much there. Maybe go a bit further to Leech, Winni and for my new favorite ice fishing lake RAINY. Rainy will be a bit further but a beautiful lake with some very good fishing. Give Woody a call and he can hook you up with some of his guides or himself.

[iced over]

Thanks, I'll do some research on Rainy. 3-5 hours would work, I just don't want to waste my whole weekend driving.

[toughguy]

Lake of the Woods is worth the drive too.

[eelpout50]

We were in the same boat, used to go up to mille lacs but never did well. Started going to okaboji an spirit. Lots of fish, alittle over two hours. I also have buddies thatswear by waubay in SD. you don't always have to go north.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'll second Northlanders recommendation. Get in touch with Woody and hit Rainey.

It's flippin beautiful, nice fish to be had, and if you spend time with Woody and not have a total ball there's something seriously wrong with you.

[Boar]

Lake of the woods can be worth the drive depending on teh time of the season ya go, early ice to late Jan. can be phenonminal, Feb. thru early March can be tough an ya might have to work for them a bit more an it seems that that time period really produces alot of eastern fronts that can shut down fishing hard. Mid march thru early april again is really something to focus on, Walleyes really start to do their shallow dance during morning an evening, the reefs really start ot pop with post spawn fish crusing up an down the reefs an the of course the legeondary post spawn run as they gather out side pine island with an evenin an shallow bite that is almost umatched before the water temps tell to move up an spawn. If not LOW then I'd opt for Leech lake, so much structure out there to explore. Yea Rainy lake, dont have any experience there but heard of big things about Woody an his abilities. Good luck Boar

[herefish101]

Dude just throw the driving clock out the window, GO TO LAKE OF THE WOODS. My buddies and I used to hit Mille Lacs, then we switched it to Upper Red, then we ended up at Lake Of The Woods. We have had a blast at all of them, but the fishing at Lake Of The Woods has been better than all the other trips combined. I know it's far, but hey, who needs to sleep. It's worth it.

[Boar]

The way this summer has been the best fishin on record for many years , this winter should be the same on LOW. Boar

[Northlander]

Thats exactly what I was thinking Boar.

[iced over]

Yeah I did LOW a couple of years back and we did very good with sauger and walleye. We had a sleeper but I wouldn't do that again since everything shuts down at night. I'd rather be in a nice cabin. I might have to bite the bullet and do the long drive. Okaboji and Spirit might be interesting, I'll look into that too. Ive also heard good things about Leech. Decisions, decisions.

[Boar]

yea the night bite on LOW is very slow to non existant most times except for pout on the reefs but the lass few years thats to has dribbled down a bit. One place over looked an not mentioned is Red Lake, an the night bite can be very sleepless, my brother would get up every half an hour or so to the rattles reels with a good eye that'd have to be let go over the slot. Waskish minnow station can set you up give Johnny a call. Other than that I'd opt for leech for the night bite, When at pout fest we'd get [PoorWordUsage] at some of those cruddy walleys at night hoping for pout. The more I think about it if your looking for a good day an night bite I think going to leech would be a good bet. Boar

[FisH_SLaYer24]

try lake osakis... i believe its like a 2 hour drive tops and there is great fishing for panfish, walleyes, and pike