LOTW RESORTS NEED SOME INSIGHT

[onepop2bass]

I'm planning a trip to LOTW I'll be bringing my father, brother and a buddy. This will be my first time staying at any resorts ice houses. Just looking for some insight on what resorts people have used in the past and the pros/cons. I have enough gear for everyone as far as the fishing goes graphs and poles ect. but what other kind of things do you usually bring along to make the trip enjoyable for everyone? As crazy as it may sound this trip isn't all about fishing, meaning if some resorts offer a more luxurious experience if possible I'd love to hear about them. My brother is flying in from California and the old man said he'd love to catch some walleyes from a lazy-boy so that's my issues! Anyways I'm really looking forward to hanging out with them all enjoying the time we have together and catching fish. Thanks for your advice in advance the ice season is coming!

[holmsvc]

Winter-Set has some nice wheel houses with tvs and generators. Ballard's and Sportsman's are the nicer resorts on the river, but they don't have fancy ice houses. Both of those resorts will put you on fish.

[bassmann77]

I would stay away from Zippel. Nothing but disappointment and laziness from them. If you want more about them PM me. I have stayed at Ballards and they have average everything expect for their guides. The guides especially Nick are top notch. They check in with you often and will move you if your shack is not producing. The cabins are nice as well as their shacks, but are not top of the line if that is what you are looking for. If you want all of the comforts, look for resorts that are renting out the Ice Castle style shacks. If you go to Ballards, bring a cushion to help pad the seat. Sportsmans and Schusters are right along the same as Ballards. If you want the option to drive to your shack, try Long Point. There are a lot of resorts, but these are the ones I have stayed at and put us on fish or would move us right away.

[Getanet]

I would stay away from Zippel. Nothing but disappointment and laziness from them.

Great, I just booked a trip there this winter. First time on LOW. Here's to hoping you just hit them on a bad day!

[RiverChuckNorris]

Hope you're going to fish/spear notherns? Went there once (about 20 years ago), sounds like the service hasn't changed much in 2 decades and we had quite a bit of Northern activity (much to our disappointment as we were at LOW for walleye/sauger).

[bassmann77]

GetaNet, I wish it was one bad trip but it is not. The best advice is not expect any customer service at all and plan on bringing everything you would if you were to take your own shack (heaters, lights, car batteries, appliance fixing tools, etc.) I would really think about cancelling your trip through them and try someone else. They are the worst place. Sorry to be a downer, but the group I was going to LOW with the past 5 years would fish there half day before our 3 night/2 day trip at Ballards and it never changed. Prior to that I stayed for 4 nights/3 days of fishing with them and it was bad. The fishing is what it is but the customer service is atrocious. That group is going to do it again, and I got out of that group strictly because of the half day at Zippels.

[low277]

I am kind of a local as I am within a 1 hour drive from my home to Rocky Point. I usually just drive out myself but I do the Arnesons day trip once a year when I go with a couple of people who only make it out once a year. They have always been very good about taking care of us, tips on tackle and technique, will move you if needed and you get to ride out and back in a track van, they even supply the minnows.

[holmsvc]

I would stay away from Zippel. Nothing but disappointment and laziness from them.

I don't think that is the case. Had a similar experience.

[JBMasterAngler]

I've stayed at zipple bay twice now, and they treated us great! This past march we were out there in a blizzard and they were quick to keep our road plowed, and always checked on us. The trip before our heat went out, and they got to us within a few minutes to fix the problem. I've only rented sleeper shacks from them, but this winter we're gonna go with a day house/cabin combo. I've never gone anywhere else, but with their prices and service, there hasn't been any need to

[slammer]

Anyone use Cyrus? Thinking about trying them this year.

[LindellProStaf]

Most of the resorts on the lake and the river try their best to get you on fish and to take care of you. Zipple people are very nice and down to earth people. They try their hardest too keep your stay fun just like everyone else.....

[DrJuice1980]

I've stayed at Zipple in the winter time and I didnt mind it at all. The log cabins are pretty sweet for a larger group. You got a bar/lodge there as well so it is not completely bare bones like other have stated. On a half day trip you probably arent going to get much service anywhere. We caught fish and had a good time. If youre afraid to go #2 in an outhouse on the ice you should pick up a different hobby anyways. I'd stay there again. I will also add that out of all the places up there I enjoyed Arneson's Rocy Point the best.

Too each their own though.

[Redlineracer12]

Anyone use Cyrus? Thinking about trying them this year.

Went out of them last year for the first time for a 1/2 day trip. They were the first and only resort letting trucks/wheelhouses out when we were there (Dec 27th maybe?). Seemed like a very nice resort, we paid our access and they told us where to drive. Drove out from a little bay there and they had a whole bunch of plowed spots for wheelhouses. Was very well organized and the fishing was decent, I would definitely go there again.

[castmaster]

Lets see, over the years have stayed at/fished with....

Zipple Bay

Borderview

Sportsmans

Wigwam

Wheelers Point

Jeffs Ice-o-miniums

Overall I liked Borderview the best. Nice lodge with bar and restaraunt. Can drive yourself if fishing the south end, but have the option of taking a bombardier ride to fish the reefs depending on time of year. Shacks are the standard day houses, pretty bare bones. But they do have individual holes instead of troughs which makes moving around the house a little easier. Decent outhouses on the ice.

[Ferny]

We learned a lot from staying at most of the big name resorts on the river and bay. You are just a dollar sign and nothing more. Most of them could care less if anybody catches anything as long as they get their money. Several times you get driven out late and they pick you up at primetime. Most of the houses won't be moved if they are dead. They just have too many to deal with. If you want a complete plan you want to go through a big resort. For us after getting treated like cattle I'm done with them except for their saloons ;-)

We finally ran across Lake Road Lodge on the main road heading North amongst the resorts. They have a clean motel with heated fish cleaning room. They have a bldg to fry your fish too. They have a few sleeper shacks also normal day shacks. Every time we have stayed they have let us try unused houses if needed to spread out. You can also drive your own truck out in case you need to run back to shore for anything like a clean bathroom. He seems to keep moving houses when it is slow. They bend over backwards to make sure you are taken care of. You couldn't find a nicer couple than Brian and Penny. I think he plows Adrians road too?

[pushbutton]

Go get a quarter right now and start flipping it. Flip it for the shiner run, flip it for the previous year classes, flip it for the weather when you happen to go, for the crew you have the time your there, for who had the house before you, for the house you actually get, for the cook who cooked your food, for how big your pour was.....it goes on and on....its always a crapshoot. I wouldn't care if anyone checked on me, if the house sucked, or if the waitress was having a bad day.....if the fish were biting For the most part everyone is just fishing the big bowl, and lot of that is really just a flip of the coin

[holmsvc]

We learned a lot from staying at most of the big name resorts on the river and bay. You are just a dollar sign and nothing more. Most of them could care less if anybody catches anything as long as they get their money. Several times you get driven out late and they pick you up at primetime. Most of the houses won't be moved if they are dead. They just have too many to deal with. If you want a complete plan you want to go through a big resort. For us after getting treated like cattle I'm done with them except for their saloons ;-)

We finally ran across Lake Road Lodge on the main road heading North amongst the resorts. They have a clean motel with heated fish cleaning room. They have a bldg to fry your fish too. They have a few sleeper shacks also normal day shacks. Every time we have stayed they have let us try unused houses if needed to spread out. You can also drive your own truck out in case you need to run back to shore for anything like a clean bathroom. He seems to keep moving houses when it is slow. They bend over backwards to make sure you are taken care of. You couldn't find a nicer couple than Brian and Penny. I think he plows Adrians road too?

I have stayed with Ballard's and don't feel that you are just a dollar sign there.

I completely agree with you on lake road lodge. They work hard to get you on fish and have clean rooms. Brad and Penny are great to deal with. I think that Brad helps some with Adrian's road, but mostly I think just plows out roads for his houses.

[ParaPro]

I was originally a Ballards guy. I was impressed with them dont get me wrong, but due to their changing deposit policy I wasnt able to go to them a few yrs ago. I chose Cyrus that yr and I will not go back to Ballard's. Cyrus is a little smaller operation but offers everything Ballards did , plus the cost is cheaper and the guides awe awesome aswell. if you arent getting fish they will move you to a different house if you wish. the 2nd day you get your choice of the house u were in or a new spot if theres one available of course. Cyrus will be getting my business until i pass away. The owners even remembered me from my 1st time there when i went back the next yr! great people great cabins ,awesome food!, all in all a great operation, but this is just my opinion

[onepop2bass]

Hey thanks everyone for the advise. I'm planning on booking this weekend just need to decide now! Zippel Bay was on my list but as talked about here I have gotten some bad and positive reviews. Two other options that looked interesting to me are called Fred's beds and Jeff's ice-o-miniums. They looked to me like a smaller ran guide service other than large resorts, that aspect does sound nice to me as not wanting to be just another dollar figure to the budget and having personal contact with someone running their business. I always like the small guys! Thanks again for the advice anyone who may have tried the other 2 guys mentioned above I'd love to hear your experience.

[DLD24]

We went through freds beds last year and we had a blast...the houses are very nice, good layout, and roomy...Nels is a very nice down to earth guy...For how bad of a year last year was we did good...He will put you on fish....2 thumbs up

[Tom Buckles]

I have used almost every resort on LOTW and Arnesons is hands down the best. The worst experience I have ever had was with Zipple Bay.