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Posted

Who's the best on the lake?

Posted

Do you want to catch fish or stay at a hotel on the ice?

Posted

+1 warm, clean and comfortable for me. Don't need all the toys. I've got those at home. I'm there to fish

Posted

I like Hillmans. Ain't the fanciest houses by any means, but it'll keep you warm and you can lay down. What I like most, is that it's affordable. If you've got a weekend suddenly open up, you can run up there and fish and it won't break the bank.

Posted

Port-A-Villa has some very nice houses, some like sitting in your living room and they keep them on fish. I like to take my portable along when I go fishing even if I have my wheelhouse with. The nice part about the very nice, comfortable houses is that one can bring the kid's or wife with. Can't beat the heated bathrooms.

Great to set up a house or rent one but it can be very helpful to have a portable along incase the fish are moving. When I am fishing, I like to relax in the am and pm so a nice house I enjoy but when it is time to fish, then I typically like to have that option of moving around in my portable if needed.

Many outfitters on this lake that can get you on fish, just depend's on how nice of a house one want's.

Posted

Do you want to catch fish or stay at a hotel on the ice?

Both

Posted

Portavilla is the best I've rented up there so far. I have a 1/2 dozen places crossed off the list prior to using them.

Posted

I always rent from up north fish house rentals out of rogers resort. Justin has very nice wheel houses. He moves them often to keep them on the fish.

Posted

Thanks for the info, Portavilla it is

Posted

Dont go to UP North Fish House Rentals, very bad experience with them they have no customer service what so ever. Would never rent from them again

Posted

That's sounds kind of weird. I've never had a bad experience with them. A couple of times we've ran out of things and I called justin and he's brought stuff out to us.

Posted

If you call around and they say they have no openings... that you gotta call early each year to get your name on the list... that would give you a clue as to whom may be the best...

Good Luck!

Ken

Posted

So your saying nobody is the best because they ALL have openings?

Posted

I'd be surprised if a couple have openings... Especially on weekends. The best on the lake in my opinion is Waskish Minnow Station... If they have an opening it's because of a cancellation. They fill up fast as their repeat business fills the reservation book within days each fall.

Good Luck!

Ken

Posted

i agree Labs, my son just called and talked to patsy....weekends booked through the end of the walleye season.

Posted

As far as the best, I guess that would depend on what one is looking for in regards to comfort.

I do not believe thier is one outfitter on the lake that offers more comforts than Port-A Villa.

With that said, they keep thier houses moved on new spots and have Brad Hawthorne there also always looking for new area's. Tough combo to beat.

THis time of the season, I would agree it would be tough to find a rental unless someone cancelled. But, I would still call around as one never knows.

Posted

In my opinion the best sleeper on Red would be mine, it is set up just the way I like it, if I am not on fish I move it unless I am being lazy, and don't worry about people complaining about the service because I just don't bring them with again. Down fall I have to drill my own holes but thats okay it keeps me from drinking beer 30 minutes earlier!!!!

Andy

Posted

Do you want to catch fish or stay at a hotel on the ice?

I vote to catch fish. Could really care less if I'm in a "hotel" on the ice. As long as it keeps the wind off me and the heat doesn't go out I'm good!

Posted

We stayed at north woods . We caught lots of fish . In 7 man sleepers plenty of room . I would say look him up .

Posted

Just got back Wed. from Battle River Rentals. Been going thru these guys for a few years now. Clean & comfortable houses and we always catch fish. Jerry & Matt are good guys, take good care of us and we always have alot of laughs, even without my lost eyeglasses........

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
    • Kettle
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