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Help me find a MN resort for Summer '08....


Doonbuggy

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Hoping FM members can help our fishing group find a resort. Here's the background:

Our group of six guys is looking for a MN resort option for a week sometime in June or July '08.

We usually go to Canada on even years, but a couple of guys have family/kid issues on the way so we're looking for a MN option in case they can make it up for a few days, but not the whole week.

Criteria:

> Drive-to. Previous cabin prices have been in the $1,000-$1,600 range for the week for the group. Having gas and bait available is preferred.

> Looking for a clean, comfortable, affordable fishing camp. We're not into places that have pools, playgrounds, etc. The less "family oriented" the better!

> Primarily after walleyes and smallies. Pike and muskies would be a nice bonus, but not required. We like to catch fish, but are not meat hunters. Just one fish fry for the week. Rarely are fish brought home.

> The more remote the better, but our group is not into camping i.e. BWCA.

> A private cabin for rent would also be a great option if one's out there.

> We'll be bringing one 16' and one 17' boat with.

Areas of interest where we haven't been to for awhile include the Ely area, Rainy, and Crane. Would we find the Detroit Lakes area lakes too social?

I really appreciate the input. Our collective group is bringing forth ideas with a decision to be made in early December. Thanks.

DB

[Note from admin: be ure to check out the Fishing Minnesota Resort Locator - Click Here..]

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Hoy's resort on French lake in Rice Co., walleyes are going nut that time of year mid-late June, very early July, big 2, huge muskies, no smallies though, I'm almost positive you wont spend as much as you previously were, there are 2 cabins right on the lake, built together but seperate units, & 1 other off the lake a bit, great place. Yes, gas, bait, no, pools, friendly people 2

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You mentioned Crane lake,did you consider renting a house boat and towing the boats behind? There really modern houses on water,mobile and fishin right out the door. cool.gif

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Hope you dont plan on renting a house boat if your family doesn't get along very well, could be a very long week grin.gif

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Quote:

Hoping FM members can help our fishing group find a resort. Here's the background:

Our group of six guys is looking for a MN resort option for a week sometime in June or July '08.

We usually go to Canada on even years, but a couple of guys have family/kid issues on the way so we're looking for a MN option in case they can make it up for a few days, but not the whole week.

Criteria:

> Drive-to. Previous cabin prices have been in the $1,000-$1,600 range for the week for the group. Having gas and bait available is preferred.

> Looking for a clean, comfortable, affordable fishing camp. We're not into places that have pools, playgrounds, etc. The less "family oriented" the better!

> Primarily after walleyes and smallies. Pike and muskies would be a nice bonus, but not required. We like to catch fish, but are not meat hunters. Just one fish fry for the week. Rarely are fish brought home.

> The more remote the better, but our group is not into camping i.e. BWCA.

> A private cabin for rent would also be a great option if one's out there.

> We'll be bringing one 16' and one 17' boat with.

Areas of interest where we haven't been to for awhile include the Ely area, Rainy, and Crane. Would we find the Detroit Lakes area lakes too social?

I really appreciate the input. Our collective group is bringing forth ideas with a decision to be made in early December. Thanks.

DB


You should check out Lake Vermilion. Lot of nice resorts with the "Boundary Waters" feel.

My suggestion is Muskego Point Resort. No nonsense getaway. There are also plenty of private cabins for rent on the lake.

If you google lake vermilion you should be able to find a website that lists a bunch of private cabins for rent as well as other valuable info.

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We've been going to The Angle Outpost on LOW for 11 years now clean cabins, gas bait, muskie, pike, smallies, walleyes, sauger, and if your lucky eel pout. It's about 6.5 hour drive located on the Northwest Angle which gives you the opportunity to fish either US or Canadian waters. The cabins have full kitchens and charcoal grills on the porch, there are also 2 restaurants within a few miles and the lodge also has meal plans. Good luck in your hunt.

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There are about 5 or 6 Ash Trail Resorts with the things your looking for. It's a central location with equal access for the Kabetogama-Namakan-Sandpoint-Crane Lakes chain.The resorts are at or near the end of a dead end road. We use the Sunset and like it. The price ranges will vary and I'm sure you will find one right for your group.

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Crane Lake has Pine Ridge Motel - has a large cabin and you can have dockage at Waters Edge RV Park. Fish Minnesota and Canada.... Crane, SandPoint, Namakan, Kab and a good Lake Trout lake without portaging.

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Vermillion and stay at the casino. How non family oriented can that get, gambling and booze, plus some adult entertainment 30 miles south of there. A great marina to boot.

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I would cast another vote for muskeego point. We have a similar event each year and this year will be our third year there. They have nice cabins and lots of privacy. Great fishing too. I also always stay there for the fishing opener. Great hospitality and Vermilion is a GREAT fishery for all species. Good luck and good fishihng!!

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Have to put in a plug for the Alexandria area. Some nice places would fit your criteria on Ida or Miltona.

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I agree with Dtro. Lake Vermillion is top notch with all the Big Muskies, Big Smallies, big northerns and lots of walleyes.

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Thanks for some good ideas. Will have to look into a few of those. As luck would have it our group (we're all thankfully not related) did a house boat on LOTW in '04, The Angle in '05 Angle and this past summer we got up to Vermilion for the first time. In fact we looked at Muskego, but they were booked up the week we were planning on.

Never been to Crane and not on Kab since '97. Definitely worth a look.

DB

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How about exploring the Gunflint trail? Just a thought. Good luck, Junky..........

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check out the winnibigosh area lots of good walleye lakes and good resorts

Jason

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Leech is picking up lately too. Should be some nice eaters there next year. I'm planning opener there next year. Vermillion is very good too.

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I would try Alexandria area. Miltona has great walleye, Bass, panfish, and Musky fishing. A few smallies as well. Give Woodland Resort a call. Great people, Great place. Did an 16 person group ice fishing weekend last winter. Accomodations to fit every need.

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I have stayed with Woody up at Rainy Lake i.e. Woody's Fairly Reliable Guide out of Rainer. Small place but great deck and more important great people.

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Life of Riley on Lake Vermillion out of Cook. They've got everything you're looking for and a short 5 minute boat ride to walleyes. You have everything you're looking for in a short boat ride. PLus prices are reasonable and bait/gas is right there.

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I echo........echotrail, the Ash River. We stayed at Sunset this fall and had a great time and the newer owners are very nice people.

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I'm seconding kingfisher1's recommendation. Life of Riley is a great place with great service! I've been travelling there from Missouri for twenty years.

They have meal plans with great food if you don't feel like cooking. Nothing like a Life Of Riley breakfast!

One of my favorites is that they will clean your catch for you, makes for an easy fish fry. Their dock service is fantatstic. Your boat will be met at the dock by one of the dock boys, who will also help you cast off when you leave.

Gas, bait, and ice are all available dockside.

Great fishing too! Walleyes, smallies, northerns, Muskies, largemouth, panfish, all within a five minute boat ride. Weekly fishing seminar on Saturday nights too!

Check them out! You won't regret it.

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kingfisher,

When did you work there?

Oh, congratulations on the birth of Connor. He's a handsome young man!

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I'm bias but grin.gif The Alexandria area is easy to get to and if someone has to run home for a problem it's only 1.75 hours to the NW metro area. Woodland resort would be a great place to base out of. Then you have walleye, smallies and muskies all in one area.

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Quote:

kingfisher,

When did you work there?

Oh, congratulations on the birth of Connor. He's a handsome young man!


Thanks. I worked there in the summer of 2002. I'd love to go back and work there again, but with Connor here, I think that's over with.

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Melgeorge's Resort on Elephant Lake near Orr has cabins that meet all the criteria in your original post. The cabins are part of a CIC, thus they are individually owned and furnished. Some are new, but in the last two years all have been up-graded. Melgeorge's is the only resort on the lake which is 1x2 miles in size, large island in the middle, and a number of bays. Rocky shoreline with lots of structure and depth up to 30' (but rarely find fish below 22'). There are several cabins for six and a lodge/restaurant/bar within walking distance. I have been fishing there for 50 years and own one of the cabins, so am prejudiced of course. Just had the cabin since last May, but have traveled to Elephant from Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, and Virginia because the eye and smallie fishing has always been good. A friend caught a 15# Northern trolling for eyes last July and Crappie fishing was great in September. Check out our web site, which should be updated in the next month or two.

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BIG LAKE RESORT HAS ALL YOUR CRITERIA MET!!!! I worked there all last summer and its a great operation more tailord to fisherman. walleyes and smallmouth dominate that lake. prices run about the same as your previously mentioned prices. you can find them by googling ely chamber of commerece and then resorts.

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Vermillion and Rainy Lakes had real good walleye summers. I would hit one of them and I would lean towards Rainy.

Try Woodies. Check ot the Rainy Lake forum for more resort ideas.

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What Northlander said. Rainy has excellent fishing for walleyes, smallmouth and pike. I'd add a couple of places to check out for accomodations - Birch Point Camp and Camp Idlewood.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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