Resorts?

[Djgodes]

I am trying to plan an ice fishing weekend and am looking for people's thoughts on a resort. Not looking for a sleeper house. Thanks.

[wtgmonkey]

I can recommend Arnesens. A group of us have been going there mid week in early January for a few years. Though I haven't been there on a weekend, I hear it is just busier. They will put you on fish in houses that are warm and they have a great restaurant/bar. They really take care of you well.

[Walleye Guy]

Ballard's is awesome. Their service is second to none in my opinion. However I haven't stayed at every option on LOTW. We had great experiences with renting house's from Snobe's (who sold their houses to Wheeler's this past year). Also fished out of Wheeler's houses and had a great experience. We rent a large (12+ guys) Villa from Sportsman's each winter and they have been great to work with. Some of the smaller outfit's also provide a high level of service and put you on fish. I have never stayed at Arnesen's but have friends that have stayed there and they rave about the experience.

I have had a few less than average experiences on LOTW too. I won't mention names however. Ask how frequently they move their houses. If it isn't every few days, look for a different place.

[JRB fishing]

I have stayed at Wigwam,River Bend,Arnesen,Ballards, Borderview and Sportsman's and would go back to all. They all do a great job and have great food. Sportsman's has hot food for lunch if you are on the meal plan and having a hot meal on the ice is great. I am going back to Borderview this year in March cant wait.

[WalleyeVision]

As the others said - lot's of good resort options on Lake of the Woods. We could narrow it down for you - just a few questions I always ask people when then call looking for advice on where to stay.

1) Do you prefer a cabin or a lodge/hotel style room?

2) Are you looking for a full service resort with food/bar or would you prefer a quieter setting with just a cabin with a kitchen?

3) Any preferences on driving to your fish house rental or having the resort bring you out in a track vehicle (pros and cons to each as you can get beyond most of the general public in the track vehicles, but you are a little more limited on timing for coming and going)

4) Do you have a preferred portion of the lake or species of fish that you are looking to catch?

[Djgodes]

1) Cabin

2) Cabin with a kitchen

3) No preference

4) Walleyes/Saugers

Thanks!

[minky]

Check out River Bend or Sportsmen's, both great options!

[WalleyeVision]

Lot's of good options based on how you replied. Some of the best resorts that have cabins with kitchens include:

Rainy River resorts:

Ballards, Sportsman's Lodge, River Bend Resort, and Slim's Resort (formerly Schusters)take you to your fish house via track vehicles.

Wigwam (usually has a band or DJ on the weekend), Wheeler's Point, Bayview Lodge (quieter setting with no restuarant/bar - but some really clean cabins), and Adrian's plow a road out to your fish house.

Bostic Bay

Cyrus Resort plows a road out and has some really nice cabins with a kitchen

Southwest Portion of Big Traverse Bay

Arnesen's Rocky Point takes you out to your fish house with a track vehicle and has some of the better structure to fish on the Lake

Muskeg Bay

Springsteel resort plows a road out to the DNR reefs as well as the South Tip of Buffalo Point. In addition to walleye and sauger you will typically catch some jumbo perch and northern pike in this area.

Private Message me if you need more information about any of these resorts, I also have pictures, map locations, and better descriptions of each.

[Jeanne1]

Cyrus resort, if you can get in.

[ParaPro]

i second the Cyrus nomination!! Top notch place with awesome cabins and great people who will bend over backwards to help you.. Food is outstanding also!! I'm goin in march and i cannot wait to get back up there!!

[BisoNation]

ballards was wonderful to us, great guides who actually take care of your requests and a cool little bar there with good service. Never had a problem at ballards!

[ParaPro]

I've been to Ballard's and they also run a great operation, the only reason I switched to Cyrus was the deposit per person was too steep for my pocketbook at the time. Cyrus' was 150.00 cheaper per person and overall cheaper in pkg price. I'm not knocking ballards at all, its a great place, but for my hard earned $$, with Cyrus you cant go wrong! The owners are very people friendly, the guides will bust their azzes to help you in any way. My friend had car troubles up there and cyrus went out of their way to find a mechanic and tow truck to get his wheels fixed AND found another company for a loaner car while his was in the shop. I dont know if all other resorts would do that., just my 2 cents worth

[Djgodes]

Thanks for all the great replies! Has anyone fished out of Muskeg Bay?

[PhilTickelson]

Southwest Portion of Big Traverse Bay

Arnesen's Rocky Point takes you out to your fish house with a track vehicle and has some of the better structure to fish on the Lake

This is what I really like about Arnesen's. They are the closest resort to Tower reef, Gull Rock, 12 mile reef, 16 mile reef, etc..This also means you usually don't have as big of a crowd around you. Those reefs aren't as easily accessible to the public, unless you have a sled or unless Babbler's has his road out to all of those places then you are looking at a snowmobile ride out from rocky point(and there aren't exactly many hotels on rocky point ).

It's much easier for the do it yourself-er to stay in Baudette and head out of the gap toward pine island or something, where there's also more resorts and more people.

Just my $.02 though, I've heard great things about most all of these places, but I normally give my money to Arnesen's.