Minnesota fishing vacation

[adler]

I'm taking my 15 year old daughter fishing before she gets her license and forgets about Dad. I'm looking for great fishing in Minnesota that isn't too far from St. Louis, Mo. Looking to go in June. Is the fishing as good in the southern part of Minnesota compared to the nouthern part? Any suggestions on where to go? Thanks.

[ryan p]

Cant beat northern MN if you are looking for walleye fishing. Winnie, Leech, and Red lake have some of the best fishing anywhere IMO. It is worth the extra drive.

[chris63]

Do you have your own boat?How much experience do you have fishing?What type of fish are you looking to catch.Fishing for food or catch and release or fun.IMO just getting outdoors with your children are worth the effort no matter if your catching or not.Catching some fish is like "icing on the cake!"c63

[guideman]

There is nothing better than fishing in the great northwoods of Minnesota, but if you just can't go north, there are some excellent river oppotunities in the southern part of the state for Walleyes. The Mississippi river near Redwing comes to mind and Lake Milacs is only about 90 miles north of the Twin Cities. Personally I would spend the extra couple of hours on the road and fish northern Minnesota, if for no other reason than that great up north experience that Minnesota is famous for.

"Ace"

[bucketmouth64]

What amenities are you looking for in a resort or are you camping? Many places have a boat included in a weekly cabin rental.

[adler]

I've got my own boat if I need it. I've been fishing all my life but have limited experience in Minnesota. I would probably hire a guide for atleast part of the trip and I would like a decent cabin to stay in. If I have to go farther to catch more fish for fun, I would. I was just wondering if I needed to go 4-5 hours farther or not. I didn't want to bore my daughter with a 17 hour drive if I didn't need to.

[adler]

Also, looking to catch Smallies, Walleye and Pike but if there's a hot bite on Crappie or big bluegill I'm sure she'd love it as well. Looking to go in early June or early July.

[TooTallTom]

Running the spectrum from backwoods/ rustic/ Up North to civilized I'll just give you a list, and you can research from there and decide what kind of experience you're looking for. Please keep in mind that I'm basically a walleye fisherman, so that's what I'm most familiar with. There are other species available on these trips/ waters, but that's not why I seek them out. If you're looking for, say, small mouth bass or muskies, there might be better places to go.

BWCAW--Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is pretty self-explanatory, the "boundary" in the name is with Canada. Tent camping, almost exclusively. Also almost exclusively non-motorized travel. Wonderfully remote and an experience that both of you will remember for the rest of your lives. There are resorts on the edges, but you really should go in and camp for the full experience.

Voyageurs National Park--Also along the border with Canada, it provides great fishing, and probably 80% of the experience of the BWCAW with 60% of the convenience of car camping in campground. It helps if you have your own boat, but they are available to rent for a week. Again, resort cabins (and houseboats) are an option, but camping by yourself on an island is (IMO) where it's at.

Lake of the Woods, Upper Red, Leech, Winnibigoshish--These are all great fisheries up north, there are resorts available on the lakes. These are all very large bodies of water that prodvide some great fishing.

Mille Lacs--It's another huge lake that can provide great fishing. Resorts for lodging, and only about 1-2 hours north of the Twin Cities Metro.

Mississippi River from Twin Cities to Red Wing or so--This can also provide some great fishing, beautiful scenery, and is also local to everything you might want to do in a city on vacation.

There are guides and outfitters available for each of these options. They'll be happy to help you out with anything from some basic fishing spots/ good routes or camps, to providing everything necessary for your group to enjoy themselves, to actually accompanying you on your trip and literally guiding you on your experience.

FWIW, I think (like others have said) it'd be a shame to come up all the way from Missouri and stop short of actually getting up north (like somewhere along the border). That said, if you're more interested in one of these kinds of trips than the others, just make that known on the thread, and we'll be happy to talk your ear off about it.

Best of luck on your trip, whatever you decide to do.

Tom.

[adler]

Thanks for the help. It looks like I got my answer. Go north old/young man. I can't wait.

[chris63]

I would like to add that panfishing will have the most "action"however a 10 to 20 pound(or larger)northern or musky is something either of you will never forget!Good luck have fun!!!!!!!!!c63

[GrizzlyAdams]

I would recommend rainy lake. Woody's resort on rainy lake is a great place to stay and Woody has been guiding on the lake for 40 years. Great guy and very helpful. Truely cares if you are having a good time. He is a sponsor on the rainy lake forum and you can find his info there.

As stated there are many great places to stay and I would also suggest the border waters area. Fantastic fishing and the scenery is 2nd to none.

We drive the 6.5 hours up there a few times a year for the scenery and the fishing.

A houseboat vacation would be my first choice. Can be a little more money but well worth it. A fishing boat is part of the package so you would not need to bring yours. You can park the houseboat close to good fishing spots and take a short boat ride from there.

[gurkster]

TTT gave great advice. My thoughts are stay away from the big lakes, (Upper Red, LOW, Winnie, Milacs) as these are great fisheries but if the weather is bad (wind/rain) you can be blown off the lake - then what.

I would go to Ely, MN. This is the headwaters the the BWCAW. There are resorts with cabins if you choose that route, you can go into the BWCA for day trips, you can also get your permit (make sure you or your outfitter do that) and camp part or all of your stay in the BWCAW, and the town and surronding area of Ely provide rainy day activities. Ely is about 4 hours drive from the Twin Cities. There are many fesivals in town depending on when you visit, hiking and biking trails, mines to visit, bear center, wolf center, hitorical sites, shopping, dining, many small lakes with great fishing, etc, etc, etc. ENJOY!!

[pushbutton]

All great ideas! That is the problem with fishing in minnesota. Green Lake in Spicer is one of the southernmost "up north lakes" and is usually on fire in late june. Tons of smallmouth, northern, gills and crappies; there are plenty of eyes there as well, but certainly challenging at times. About an hour away a couple other nice medium sized lakes that are great multi species fisheries: Osakis and Minnewaska. I also know of a "sure bet" for large gills and crappies around Detroit Lakes area. Where ever you end up.....have fun and good luck!

[bucketmouth64]

I will be going to White Birch Resort in Blackduck for the first time. Reason I picked this spot (honeymoon) is they have remodeled many of their cabins. From all accounts it looks like a very clean place with lots amenities and activities. From what I've been told by owners lake has big panfish, lots walleyes, lots of bass. You can check out their HSOforum. Bemidji is not far from there to visit also Vince Schute bear sanctuary is in Orr. I like to go to areas where there are other things to do other than fish. Your daughter may appreciate this. Another area is in Park Rapids at Mantrap Lodge. Again, very clean place, wonderful owners, lots of activities/amenities and many lakes close by to wet your appetite. I was there last spring and getting married there this May. That's how impressed I was with this place. They are on a lake known for large muskies. In Alexandria, MN. you have Arrowwood Resort which is big hotel on a golf course. It has a water park attached, on a good chain of lakes, most activities I've ever experienced from a resort like executive putting greens, bikes, tennis, wave runners, fishingboat/speed boat/pontoon rentals, indoor/outdoor pools, swimming beach, horseback riding, etc. Geez, I sound like I work for the Commerce dept. Hope this helps. Email me if you want more info.

[Northlander]

You can stay in Duluth and Fish the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. Great fishing for walleyes, trout and Salmon. I would say June is tops.

[mr_jman]

Another positive to fishing northern Minnesota is you could still get your resort on a big lake and if the action is slow you can take the boat to any number of other smaller lakes in the area. Even though you haven't fished the area, lots of lakes provide great panfish and bass action... Just work the shorelines or weedlines!!!!!

I would also throw out the Brainerd Lakes Area as a great option with lots of lakes and plenty of other "entertainment" things to do as well... Its also not that far from the north end of Mille Lacs!

[swampbuck]

Sent you a PM let me know if your interested

[vermilionfox]

I've been going to Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota for over 20 years from the St. Louis area. It's about a 14 hour drive towing my 22 foot pontoon boat. Not bad! Drop me an e-mail, my addy is in my signature line, and we can discuss it more if you like. We could even meet and talk more if you'd like!

[MichaelSwan]

TooTallTom/Vermillionfox have the right ideas in my opinion. Great fishing on LOW - best i've ever seen hands down, while I have not had nearly the same luck in Millacs, Winnie or Red (way overrated unless it is exactly the right spot at the right time - with or without a guide)

[Tom7227]

I am sure that you can get all sorts of contact info from the State Tourism Office http://www.exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx

No one has asked about the experience and desires of your daughter. Does she like to fish? Is she willing to get uncomfortable if you're on big water and things get a little rough? Do you need a Hilton style resort or something less? Has she fished enough to want to get a trophy? Does she have to have access to her cell? If things are slow will she enjoy a bit of shopping as an alternative?

All the info you've been given is first rate - from a adult male standpoint. Since you're trying to make it memorable for your daughter give it some thought and try to make it a positive memory.

[Gordie]

there are so many lakes and so little time in Minnesota and these are just a couple that come to mind for a varity of fish Winnibigosh,Bowstring,Deer Lake and Pokagama

Whats nice is if the wind is blowing you off one of the bigger lakes chances are there is a smaller lake just around the corner from most any where you go.

Good luck and keep us updated where you go and once your done post some pictures