Red Lake or LOTW

[tacklejunkie]

My wife would like to do a rental ice shack this winter. I fish LOTW in the open water season but she heard from a co worker about Red Lake. We aren't interested in a sleeper shack but doing the bombardier thing and staying at a resort. Anyone have ice fishing experience with both and can recommend?

[leechlake]

On Red you most likely won't be taking a bombardier but driving on a plowed road.   LOTW you can keep more fish than Red but I'd pick Red.  A long ride in a bomardier is fun in the am but stinks at night.  Ten minute ride in a pick up is much more appealing to me.   I only have one contact there and I won't post it, way too many outfits that post great info here that you should throw your business to.

[tacklejunkie]

Does the resort take you out or do you have to drive your own vehicle to get the shacks on Red?

[leechlake]

they will accommodate whatever you want , I assume you don't want to drive out yourself.  No problem and if it is you've got the wrong place.  They may be out doing all the various tasks so you may have to understand that they may not pick you up exactly at X time but close enough.  Heck, you'll be out fishing and relaxing so time won't be critical.

[tacklejunkie]

Time of pick up wouldn't be a problem. I just don't want to drive out, myself. Thanks for the info. We're still deciding on LOTW or Red so your reply helps.Thanks again

[Hoey]

On LOTW, they need 18" of ice before the bombers roll, so timing ice thickness is important.  

[Getanet]

You're in luck...I'm an expert on getting nearly skunked on both lakes!  Seriously though, while I didn't have much luck, I did do a lot of research on options for both lakes. If you don't want to do a sleeper rental, one thing to keep in mind is that LOTW tends to be more of a daytime bite, while Red can really get hot at night. That's not to say it's dead on Red during the day, but if you read through these forums and others, you'll hear a lot of stories of the rattle reels going crazy well after the sun goes down.  And when I was doing my research on Red, there aren't many places that have on-shore cabin rentals - the vast majority were sleeper shacks rentals. I think I recall one place that had places on shore to sleep. If not driving out is your main concern, you might want to look at Red Lake Remote. They drive you out in a bomber, but it looks like you'd have to sleep on the lake.  There is also a motel about 20 miles from Red you could consider as far as sleeping accommodations go.

[leechlake]

Shook Motel, Northome.  We've stayed there, works fine.  It's literally a Motel where you back up to your room door  (I've love those kind).  Mrs's may approve or may not.

[kelly-p]

Here on the east side of URL Beacon Harbor has motel rooms right at the lake and Westwind, Bearpaw and Cookies all have cabins.

[Kidd]

For what you're looking for, it's pretty standard operating procedures on LOTW.  They're all set up for bringing you out and bringing you back.  Plus the resorts where you'll stay are nice, have decent lodging, meals and fun bars all at the same location.

[Neighbor_guy]

Count me in the LOW club... You can't go wrong with any of the resorts there. It's a daytime bite, they bring you out and back, nice cabins with hot showers in the evenings. 

Cant go wrong. 

[pushbutton]

TJ, from what you have said so far, it seems like many resorts on LOW and Beacons on Red is what you and Mrs Junkie are looking for. Think Red is a better chance at a better bite, especially Beacons, since it is not a zoo like other parts of the lake, and LOW has been pretty tough the last year and half. Who knows, that could change this year though. Also to increase your fish chances, would really recommend trying to get in as early in the season as possible, no matter where or what lake you book. Ultimately though, there is a lot of luck of the draw no matter where you are, if the fish will be biting and below you when you are there. Not that you asked, but when taking the Mrs. I usually try to do a sleeper and a half day with a motel stay on each end.....it seems to be a decent compromise between comforts and being able to fish fully during primetimes.  Good luck Bud.

[eyeguy 54]

dont forget about winny

[nofishfisherman]

Since you want to fish during the day and go back to shore at night I'd go with LOW.  LOW is a day bite and URL can be more of a late/early bite with action overnight.  You can still catch some fishing during the day on URL but you'll be giving yourself the best chance at fish if you go to LOW.

Either lake should have accommodations for what you are looking for but I think LOW is probably set up a little better for it since a lot of people go that route up there.

[tacklejunkie]

Thanks to all those who replied. Very much appreciate hearing what other people recommend.

It looks like LOTWs wins. Making reservations

[Boar]

WHOA WHOA WHOA! hold the fone ther TJ, you gots to give Beacon Harbor a call, but what do ya want. Fishing or partying. you want an icefishing experience. if you want a remote ice fishing experience becon harbor on red lake will do that. give them a google.

[Hawg]

Beacon Harbor used to be Hudek's, right? As many times as I've gone by it to LOTW it just sunk in when I saw the sign. I used to have a t-shirt that said-Hudeks-Last White Men on Red Lake.  Things weren't as politically correct way back then. 

Beacon Harbor used to be Hudek's, right? As many times as I've gone by it to LOTW it just sunk in when I saw the sign. I used to have a t-shirt that said-Hudeks-Last White Men on Red Lake.  Things weren't as politically correct way back then. It looks like they made a lot of improvement there.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Hawg