Anyone know a good kayaking lake where the fishing looks good?

[yakkingal]

Wanting to take the kayak out and go camping/fishing/exploring during Memorial Weekend. I'd like to find something near Detroit Lakes, but man it's tough to find a place that isn't all RVs or already full! Can anyone make a suggestion? Don't mind a little drive to DL, but don't want to be in a field somewhere! Like to get up in the morning and take out the kayak and find some fish!

[fiskyknut]

Well this may not be near DL but you may wanna consider it depending on where you are coming from in ND. The place is called Hayes lake, a state park in Roseau county, this would be about 50-60 minutes or so from TRF. This is a small electric only resevoir, a true gem of a lake, little known and quite secluded, and scenic, lots of wildlife too, and never zoo-ed out. Nice campgrounds and swimming beach. The lake winterkilled back in the very early 90's and was restocked, these fish have grown nicely since then. Bluegill and Pumpkinseeds, Crappie, Bass, Pike, Perch.....and Bullheads. The Panfishing can be quite good here at times.

fiskyknut

[ChuckN]

Quote:

---

I'd like to find something near Detroit Lakes, but man it's tough to find a place that isn't all RVs or already full!

---

Does this mean you are ruling out state parks?

Maplewood State Park would be an option, or Glendalough (non motorized lakes) would be a good choice.

[yakkingal]

I never rule out any lake! Just trying to stay away from Jet skis and speed boats dragging water skis, they tend to make the ride a little wild in a kayak. Especially when you are trolling along nicely or drift fishing. The jet skis especially because their goal seems to be to annoy everyone not ON a jet ski. I can deal with them, although I do get the urge to gesture a bit at times, LOL Sheltered spots, from wind and good fishing is all I'm looking for! We fished Boyer lake all one day last summer and never even SAW a fish caught, is it dead now? We'd heard good things about it, but no one we saw had even gotten a nibble, at least that day. fun paddle though.

[yakkingal]

That sounds GREAT, electric motors we don't mind a bit! I really enjoy the quiet on the water, we'll definately check it out. Thanks a lot. once we get a base camp to come home too, we can toss the yaks in and head to the outlaying lakes easily. But it is nice to know where we won't be run over by a 10 yr old on a jetski, they are as big a hazard as a 95 yr old who can't see over the steering wheel on the road! LOL

[cadaver]

star lake Dent minnesota ....franks campground has tent and rv spots and the fisshing is awesome ..although you will have to deal with the jetskis on the lake there are a ton of bays and coves you can get in to with a yak....

[yakkingal]

Thanks, we will check it out! We went to Big Floyd over Memorial weekend and had a total blast, smallies were practically jumping into the kayaks. We are sure going back there again!

[yakkingal]

correction to my last posting, those were largmouths, not small mouths! Sorry if I mislead anyone or confused the pros who know what fish are in what lake! LOL