zipper bay

[DLD24]

I'm thinking of going to zippel bay in January I was wondering if anybody has any comments about them, good or bad....we went to Riversbend last year and didn't have a the best experience....thanks for any input

[fisherman-andy]

You may get better replies if you post in the LOW forum section.

I've stayed at Zippel Bay, roads were plowed but you couldnt head out until they opened the gate if you stayed in cabins. Not an issue if you were in sleepers.

Fish were deep during early morning/day and shallow during evening. We had a day house/night house combo which was very expensive. Sleeper houses were typical, clean and heated. No electricity unless you brought your own generators. Toilet shacks placed randomly through out.

They came by and check on us a couple times during the day for reports, but if you had wanted fish your better off searching then sitting for fish to come to you. Getting away from the crowd was key for us.

Our sleeper was the only lone left house shallow for what seems miles on end we had trouble finding it lol when heading back at night fall. We didnt do well where it sat in 10-14 fow and should asked for it to be moved the 2nd night. Seems the shallow bite may have been in 15-23fow, while the deep bite was 25-30fow.

If I had my choice again I would want a shack on 15-23 fow for night and just roam during the day.

[PerchJerker]

Have not stayed at Zipple Bay but have fished out of there a few times and rented a day house from them once. Seems like a nice place, and the house and bait shop were good.

Funny what you say about Riverbend ..... we've been there twice and are not going back.

[forcedtowork]

I have stayed at Zipple Bay only once, I was not impressed with the house we got, the other houses were much nicer. My main issue with the house was when we got there the holes were not drilled and the heat was not on and it probably should have been retired 2 seasons before we used it; with all that said they were very nice to deal with. They cut us a good deal with out asking due to the circumstances. I would go back and give them another go around. We also had ordered a two man sleepeer plus 1, (a cot) the cot was disgustingly gross. I won a trip to Riverbend Resort, ended up not using it because the guy at Riverbend that I was trying to arrange the trip with was being a real Richard. That was my only and last experience I will have with them.

[Whopper Stopper]

The gate people talk about must be a problem at times. You may want to find out more about it before you go. The neighbor and his crew headed up last winter. They arrived at 10 pm and had to wait along the road leading into the resort until morning for the gate to be opened.

He said there was a very heated debate between Nick and one of the customers. It seemed the customer fished until 8pm and then went into town to get propane. It was one of the colder nights. Two guys stayed at the fishouse so they didn’t need to leave their stuff unattended. When getting back to the resort the gate was closed and Nick would not open it. The guy that just returned from town was very disturbed because he was sure the heat was going to run out in his house.

Anyway after a very heated argument and the threat of busting the gate down, Nick finally opened it so he could get back to his house. Everyone else of course had to wait until morning.

I know the neighbor said he was done with them.

WS

[pooly_31]

i've stayed at zippel many times in the cabins and every single night there have been vehicles going on and off all night long. At least for the last 4-5 years that's how its been anyway. Maybe the gate issues were from a while back? I can't imagine the liability Nick would face by not allowing people to get off the ice in an emergency situation. I can't say i've had the best luck fishing wise at zippel, but the cabins are second to none and the bacon cheeseburger makes the whole trip worth it!

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

I'm thinking of going to zippel bay in January I was wondering if anybody has any comments about them, good or bad....we went to Riversbend last year and didn't have a the best experience....thanks for any input

I have never been to Zippel Bay so I can't weigh in on their service good or bad. But DLD24 what kind of fishing trip do you want? A sleeper house, a cabin and day house package, or just a cabin and road pass so you can venture out on your own? Lot's of otions on LOW; narrowing down your wants could help with the replies from the veterans here on site.

[DLD24]

it sounds like we are going to do the cabin and ice house rental since the GFs are coming..

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

it sounds like we are going to do the cabin and ice house rental since the GFs are coming..

We do a similiar trip each January. The way we go is using Bob's ice fishing out of Warroad and we rent one of two available condo's located in the marina (25.00 a person a night based on occupancy of 4). Bob picks us up at the Condo with one of his snocats and takes us out to day shacks (around 55.00 a day per person). He checks on us multiple times each day making sure we have plenty of minnows (which he supplies with the day shack rental) all of the shacks have a john attached, a wall heater, holes drilled, and a two burner stove top complete with pots and pans and utensiles. We choose the pick up times going to and leaving from the day shacks for a total around 80.00 apiece per adult. We also take the days catch to the local resturant a mile away and they fry the fish up with a side and drink for about 10.00 per person. Give Bob a call for specifics, for his number just google Bobs Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods.

[DLD24]

Thanks a lot I checked into it pretty cheap to go there, fishing usually good? It seems anywhere on LOW you catch a ton of walleyes...

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

Thanks a lot I checked into it pretty cheap to go there, fishing usually good? It seems anywhere on LOW you catch a ton of walleyes...

We have been up with Bob two years in a row and have reservations again for this January. The first trip there were 5 of us, last year there were 8 and this year it looks like 12 of us are going. I posted on the trip this past January (day house trip) after our return and did the same after the first trip the previous January (sleeper house trip), both trips were great for fishing. If you click on my site name I believe you can view my posts just find the ones from January 20 2012 and January 13 2011 and you can read the exact reviews. Bob's is certainly affordable and while there are no guarantee's when it comes to catching fish; for the best chances we have found to keep your baits within 6 inches of the bottom and borrow a vexilar / marcum if you don't have your own so you can see and raise your baits up to the walleye, sauger and perch that cruise through up in the zone. Goodluck where ever you end up this season on LOW!!!

[bturck]

With regard to Riverbend. I have been goiing there for the past 12 years, back in the days when Glenn and Pam still owned it. I will readily admit that some issues began to aris there about 2 years ago with the former owner Charlie. The resort is now ownerd by Paul and I cannot speak of his service etc but the postings that he has put on this site sound like he certainly wants to run a good operation. I've heard that a lot of remodeling has taken place. I will be headed back in December and look forward to working with the new owner.

[Boar]

Zipple bay in January. Havent stayed there but have fished it alot. Fishing can be awsome. I always start shallow, i like 17 ft. then by 11 oclock i go deeper, that time of the year not much past 26', but if your staying there Nick will have u on fish.

[dougger222]

I've been going to Zippel for about 15 years. Each year average 3 ice trips and every few years a Summer charter trip.

Zippel has over tripled in size but Nick and Deanna still run the show.

Got a sleeper house up there and never had an issue getting on the ice 24 hours a day. When you go up there a lot you know how to get on when the gate is locked...