Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Posted

I am looking for some suggestions for a family vacation this summer. Any help would be appreciated. We’re looking at going to Voyageurs National Park and renting a houseboat for a week in early to mid August. It looks like there are quite a few options. Houseboat rentals at Kabetogema, Crane, Rainy Lake to name a few. Although we won’t be fishing too hardcore, we would love to be able to have a  shorelunch or two with some fresh walleyes. It will be 4 adults and 3 kids. Does anyone have any first hand experience on these different rentals? Would you suggest one rental place over another for any reason? Nicer boats and/or accommodations, better fishing, better scenery?  Any places to avoid? Thank you for any help!

Posted

Anywhere in Voyageurs NP is great ! Rainy lake houseboats is a great setup. Work with them on best availability for a sandy beach mourning of the boat , and a great swimming area for the kids . Rainy is huge , lots to see and do with good fishing for your shore lunches.

 

If if you do the Crane lake , Sandpoint , Namakin , Kab trip its the same thing as above . As for which is a better choice , hard to say as both places are beautiful . Do one this year and do the other next year , it’s the only way you will find a preference.  Enjoy !

Posted

Thank you for the info, I will look into Rainy Lake Houseboats. Yes, a good spot for swimming and shorelunch is a great idea! I appreciate your input.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

I love going out of Crane Lake with Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats. I love the amount of lakes you can visit and lots of great things to see. Kettle Falls Hotel, Grassy Bay Cliff, lots of great spots to fish and back bays to get out of the wind if it kicks up. The lodge they have is a GREAT way to get up there and spend the night before heading out.

Ebels Houseboat is located more on the middle of the park so there is that to consider. Have a great trip no matter where you head out from.

Been on several trips out of Crane so feel free to ask any ?s

  • 1 month later...
Posted

We are booked with Voyagaire Houseboats on Crane lake for August 19th-23. Thank you for the suggestions! Does anyone have suggestions for the walleye fishing that time of year ? I have explained “shore lunch” to the kids and adults in the group that just think it’s breading in a box. They are excited to experience it. I will probably rig up some bottom bouncers and spinners and start there to try and locate fish. Maybe the lodge will put a couple x’s On a map for community fishing spots? Tight lines1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      Venny backstrap and the fixins!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Running on empty at dark on a sled is definitely stress-inducing. Been there, done that. Glad that you made it out.
    • SkunkedAgain
      Eagle swoops are always a hoot to watch.   The snow is mostly gone on the lake. Ice melt made things pretty wet but the ice is obviously still very thick. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The big question:  "How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?"  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety.     Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.     Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.   The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.   Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.   Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 - 15 feet. On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted.    As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.     Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.  Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.     Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake. The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • Wanderer
      Looks like a shallow lake with some potential.  Keepable crappies, decent bluegills and some nice perch according to the last survey (2015). Susan Lake   With a max depth of 10 feet, I’d want to know a little more about it before I’d start drilling holes.  Could be a nice little adventure though.  
    • Brianf.
      Jeff and I fished Saturday and half day Sunday, targeting whitefish, ciscos, crappies, and perch.  The bite was tough for us.  We ecked out a few, but nothing special.  Highlight of the weekend was the sled ride into Wolf Lake and having an eagle swoop in and eat a rock bass we had on the ice.  All in all, not a bad way to waste time.    
    • monstermoose78
    • smurfy
      Smoked polish sausage with some beans!
    • smurfy
      just below the ice???? i was pulling crappies from 30 ft over 43 ft and 23 inches of ice this past weekend.   nice going!!!!!! 👍
    • monstermoose78
      Went fishing with my dad and we spanked them panfish again. Same set up as yesterday. Fish fry coming this Friday for the family!! 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.