Looking for Place to Stay: Tough Particulars

[Seabass77]

I am looking to take my wife and another couple out for the lake trout opener in Minnesota. But I'm having trouble finding a place to stay. Here's what I'm looking for.

A lake with lake trout

A decent resort, nothing fancy

A resort that rents ice houses for the day

In Minnesota

Anyone have any suggestions? I did find gunflint resort on the gunflint trail and although it's a really nice resort, it's a little rich for my blood.

[redhooks]

Check out Schmitty's(sp?) on Snowbank lake in Ely. They are nice folks w/ a year round operation that offer lodging, rentals and a nice view on the edge of the BWCA. Went out there last winter and tried for lakers w/o any luck but caught a couple consolation walleyes right next to his rental shacks in 55' of water. There are also plenty of other good lakes nearby. Good luck and have fun.

[Grabs]

Hey man,..did you make it out? Shoot me an e-mail if you get a chance.

[Surface Tension]

Hi Seabass, Cabin's on the Gunflint are expensive and dont know of any that offer fish house rentals. Your better off spreading out with your own portables anyway. Try Heston's on Gunflint lake for a cabin. Its getting late and they may be full.
If any of you get bored theres x-country ski trails and snowmobile trails in the area.
I may be up there for opener.

[This message has been edited by Surface Tension (edited 12-10-2002).]

[Johnny B]

Seabass,
Gunflint Pines is highly recommended.
Bob Baker the owner is also a guide; if you stay at one of his cabins he will put you on fish.
I don’t know if they have icehouse rentals.

[metrojoe]

I've been to Smitty's on Snowbank also. Great place. They really took care of us.

Those darn trout are hard to figure.

[deadeye]

The one on snowbank is good, there is also the grand ely lodge, it's not on a trout lake but burntside is nearby. It is very nice to boot. There are many different resorts in Ely that are decent and within 20 min of trout.

[Seabass77]

My problem is that I have a two person portable and 4 people who want to fish. My wife gets cold pretty easy so I want to make sure that we have shelters. Smitty's might be an option but ideally, I could find a place that rents portables for the weekend.

[Surface Tension]

Id let ya use mine but I'll be in it opener.
Buy a cheap one and rent it to your friends. Then give it to them for Christmas.

[Seabass77]

I think I have it figured out. I found a place in ely that has portables for rent.

Looks like our original plan is a go. Thanks guys.