Help me pick a destination in Mn for a "brain re-set, get away".

[Moose-Hunter]

My truck is packed. Provisions/clothes for about a week. The boat is hooked up fully rigged for bluegill to coho. Full tank of fuel in each. I'm pointed north... Where do I go?

- It'll be just me and my boat.

- I'd like to limit my travel in Minnesota.

- I'll need either a room or a cabin to rent. I have no problem paying "minimum occupency" rates. Or will crash in my truck if necessary.

- Have food with but may want to eat out a few times.

- Walleyes, pike and muskie are always welcome. Trout and/or salmon would be nice but no Great Lakes adventures being solo.

It may happen tomorrow, next week, next month... If next year, we'll include Canada. For now, Minnesota only.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated!!

[SpecialK]

Big Detroit Lake in Detroit Lake, pokegama in sandstone. Plenty of other lakes around both of those areas to keep you occupied as well.

[leech~~]

My truck is packed. Provisions/clothes for about a week. The boat is hooked up fully rigged for bluegill to coho. Full tank of fuel in each. I'm pointed north... Where do I go?

- It'll be just me and my boat.

- I'd like to limit my travel in Minnesota.

- I'll need either a room or a cabin to rent. I have no problem paying "minimum occupency" rates. Or will crash in my truck if necessary.

- Have food with but may want to eat out a few times.

- Walleyes, pike and muskie are always welcome. Trout and/or salmon would be nice but no Great Lakes adventures being solo.

It may happen tomorrow, next week, next month... If next year, we'll include Canada. For now, Minnesota only.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated!!

Since you stated Trout or Salmon I would say Ely or The North shore. These are the best trips because you just head out and see what happens. Have Great time! Opps' reread no Great Lakes adventures being solo. Ely or Leech Lake area then.

[paceman]

Head north to the Walker area. Spend the week bouncing around Leech, Cass and Winnibigoshish. Great lakes and a beautiful country. Lots of places to stay and eat.

[chris63]

My vote would be Kabetogama and/or Namakan.I know you said no Canada but I just can't resist suggesting these lakes!c63

[Northlander]

My #1 spot would be Rainy Lake. You can boat into camping spots and crash there or drive back to I-Falls and get a cheap room. I recomend Falls Motel. The owner is a sponsor and will point ya in the direction of the latest bite.

If you do come through Duluth and want to fish the North Shore for trout and salmon give me a holler and I can join ya and try my best to get ya some fish. The trout should be fairly easy but the salmon can be a chalange this time of year. I would go out of McQuade or Knife River.

[mainbutter]

My two immediate thoughts have already been suggested.

Rainy or Leech Lake. If it were me, Leech Lake.

[GrizzlyAdams]

+2 on Rainy Lake. I would also give Woody's resort some serious consideration. Can leave your boat on the dock and not have to trailer it each night. He (as well as Kelly at the Falls motel) can give you up to the minute fishing tips as to where they are biting as they are both on the water pretty much daily. Can't go wrong at either place.

[Cheetah]

Lots of fish being caught on LOTW. If you want to go to for salmon and steelhead, head east to Kewaunee or Algoma, the bite has picked up out there.

[OnAFly]

Go to Rainy. Don't even think of going anywhere else if you want walleye/smallies/pike. But, go later in the year.

[Down Deep]

Ditto to Northlander's suggestion on Rainy. My fishing buddy just got back from Rainy yeesterday (Thur). He said the reefs a packed with walleyes and they are eager to coorperate. The Falls Motel is a good place to stay as well as the TeePee. About a 20 minute drive to the Voyagures Park landing on Black Bay which puts you right in the middle of walleye country.

[Fish Head]

Rainy gets my vote too. I like to boat into Voyageurs Natl Park, but there are many places to stay outside the park as well. Woodys is always a great choice.

[DTro]

Wherever it is, just stop at my place and pick me up.

I don't think you can go wrong with Rainy, Leech, or LOW.

Give Woody a call, I've heard great things.

[Brian-Mn]

Head to one of the rivers. Mississippi or St. Croix. There is enough traffic on Rainy, Kab. & Leech.

Anything you can catch up North you can catch on the rivers. Besides......the scenery can be awesome on the rivers on a summer weekend if you know what I mean.

[NIBOWMAN]

Don't forget the Fifty Lakes area. Many, many, small lakes to choose from. You can probly fish three a day and not see another boat. Great panfish, northern, and a few walleyes just to make it interesting. Get away from the crowds, think small and let your mind relax.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I volunteer to go with. I will clean your fish and do all the food and meals

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

BTW, what boat did you end up buying?

[Moose-Hunter]

THIS is why FM is such a GREAT place on the interwebz!!! Many thanks to all for the fantastic ideas!! I have yet to make a "final" decision as it may hinge on what the passport folks say on Monday.

Domestically speaking, I've gotta say Rainy/Falls motel so far have the lead! With a pit stop in Duluth I'd have a very full fishing experience. Followed closely by the wilds of Kab and Namakin.

I'm still in the "fluid" stages of this get away but I'll announce my pick shortly... I hope.

BTW...

BTW, what boat did you end up buying?

I ended up with a 2011 Alumacraft Trophy 175 powered by a F150 Yamaha and a T9.9 kicker. As soon as the rest of my Bert's gear shows up, you'll see her in all her fish catchin' splendor in the "let's see your boat" thread.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

That should work good in Rainey. My boat is too small for that big water, so I go do the wilderness thing in Kab and Nam. I have a friend that knows one of the guides at Woodys and he always does well up there. I'm sure the guide helps just a little!

[chris63]

If you really want an adventure go east (from Rainy) to Kettle falls and venture into Namakan via the truck portage.You can fish a whole lifetime and never explore this region fully!c63

[fishinfey8]

My vote would be Rainy with a pit stop in Duluth. That would give you your fix for all the species you listed. Bring a tent and camping gear and camp on a nice campsite. Wildlife and scenery is great up there.

[friendly]

moose you and i are talking the same language. i am leaving central wisconsin to visit family north of alexandria, mn on sunday morning and dont have to be back to work until the 23rd. i am planning on fishing there for a couple days and then heading towards mille lacs. i am open to any tips i get along the way, just looking for some quailty time on the water. i will be alone with no plan or set schedule. just me, my boat and re charging the mind. i plan on eating out and sleeping where ever i can find reasonable rates. anyone near mille lacs want to hook up and fish give me a hollar. i dont want reservations because i dont want plans. many here have mentioned rainy lake, awesome fishery and woody will treat you right.

[amateurfishing]

if ur planning on going thru duluth, plan on traffic, i just spent the weekend with the family in tofte,......i35 and south duluth are both a mess of construction.

[chris63]

Dan,it's been about a week since your initial post.Just wondering how and where your journey took you?c63

[harvey lee]

Rainy with Woody or Fall Motel.

Can't go wrong with either for a place to stay or great fishing information on the bite.