planning a trip to Minnesota

[ffnick]

My buddy and I are planning a trip ice fishing to Minnesota. To start weve never been ice fishing before or to Minnesota. I was looking for some advice on which lake would be best to go to and which resort. It will be next year either december or January. We are wanting to stay in a ice shanty the whole time. It would be nice if the resort would have a restaurant/ bar. Any advice will be welcome. Also if theres any tips on fishing geat and technique s would be helpful.

[searching4slabs]

Go through bearpaw on upper red lake they will put you on the fish. Last year we were fishing out of portables in the general area of bearpaw and we were hammering walleyes. The limit is less than other lakes but the amount of fish caught by far outweighs having a couple more fish in your freezer

[dust_stl]

Hi

I live in St Louis Mo and travel up to Mn a couple times a year to ice fish. The best recommendations I can give is try to go early ice. We always go on a trip around 2nd/3rd week of Dec just before xmas. We find early ice normally gives us the best fishing. I would recommend either LOW(lake of the woods) or Upper Red lake. We have hit up a lot of other local lakes but the ultimate Mn ice trip in my opinion is LOW or Red. Upper Red is more of a sleeper house lake(night bite)... Low is more you get a day house from 8a-4p and then head back to your cabin/bar with LOW you get to keep more fish(check regs).... Book your trip early LOW/Red book up fast on the weekends we normally book right around the 1st of Oct. As for gear just get the gear at a local bait store on your way up an avg ice combo cost around 30/40 bucks there are some probably cheaper and some that are a lot more. I remember are 1st trip to LOW 10 years ago and they sold us a combo rod/reel/line specifically set up for LOW cost 29.99 we still have that combo today still working strong. In Mn you can only work 2 lines normally you have 1 pole to jig (buckshot spoon etc) and then another rod either deadsticking or just plane red hook and bobber and last Have fun ice fishing is a blast!!!

[tunrevir]

Depending on the fish your after I would suggest Winnibigosh for perch and a shot at walleyes, Lake of the woods for walleye, sauger and the possibility at some various other species. Upper Red for walleye. Mille lacs for perch and walleye and a slightly shorter drive. Do some internet searches centered on the larger lakes and you should find sleeper shack rentals that will accomodate your needs and wants.

Tunrevir~