Houseboat vacation - where?

[PikeTipper]

If you had to pick between Rainy Lake and VNP (Crane Lake area) for a houseboat trip where would you go? We will have 5 kids under 7 years old with so alternatives to fishing would be a big bonus.

Thanks for any responses

[traveler]

We did the canadian side of LOTW (sioux narrows area)a couple years ago with our 5 and 10 yr old girls. Found a great mooring on a sandy beach and had great fishing along with swimming for the kids, and exploring on the island. Hard to beat! But now that the Canadian dollar is at par, theres no savings to be had, and the higher gas prices might even make it a more expensive destination.

[Dock Boy]

PikeTipper, We have made many trips with the family with Voyagaire Houseboats on the Crane, Sand Point, Namakan, Kabetogama chain. Each time we discover more to enjoy on this side of the National Park. We have also tried Rainy Lake, but this side of the chain is more narrow, so if you get a 20mph wind on this chain your not blown of the lake and you can still fish. Thier are many hiking trails that we take advantage of while out thier along with Kettle Falls, Canadian trading post, Indian Pictograph, Grassy bay cliffs, Elsworth Rock gardens, Locator lake trail. Check this side out it very nice and Voyagaire is second to none. Oh I almost forgot Voyagaire has a nightly trivia contest that my family just loves.

[foulpole18]

I have done both of them and like both of them alot. I personally liked the VNP a little better. I like the fact that Namakan is only accesable by water. Either one is going to be fun though. I would do either one again in a heartbeat.

[PikeTipper]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Dave S]

I also have been on a houseboat out of the Sioux Narrows area. I had a great time, but the wind can make for a long trip if you get out into the larger bays.

The fishing was great regardless of the weather.

The funniest part of the trip is the morning we were supposed to be back to port. We came back the night before and stayed at the dock to avoid the possibility of running late due to mechanical or weather problems. I stepped outside to see across the river that there was a guy in his 60's-70's taking his morning bath in the channel..............and in the buff. TALK ABOUT WILDLIFE!!!!!

[IFallsRon]

I've done Rainy and Vermilion and enjoyed both equally although the weather was totally different on each trip. Fishing is good at both places although it seems to be better lately on Rainy. Rainy can be tough in a houseboat if the wind is blowing.

[Down Deep]

If it were a fishing trip or a trip with adults, I would head to Rainy hands down. But with the kids in tow I would go to Crane -Namakan - Kabatogama. As mentioned above there is lots of off boat activities. My kids traveled VNP with me when they were the age of your kids and they still talk about those trips now in their late 20"s