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Post by smsmith on Mar 5, 2024 13:09:08 GMT -6
So, I was ready to book a week on a fly in lake in ON for my wife and I, and then common sense kicked in. I think she'd go stir crazy without a cellphone, TV, or internet. Plus, I swore a few years ago I was going to keep my U.S. dollars working in the U.S., nowhere else.
I'd like to find a lake in MN with a VRBO (or other private rental, no resorts) where I could take the wife and have some decent panfish action and a chance at bass/pike/walleyes. I'd prefer a smaller lake, say 2000 acres or less. I'm not looking for anybody's honeyhole, just a starting point I suppose.
I started winnowing through threads on Fishing MN and InDepth outdoors and got overwhelmed. Doesn't seem most of the action on those sites was geared towards what I'm looking for.
Any input appreciated
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Post by biglakebass on Mar 5, 2024 13:32:54 GMT -6
Rush lake north of ottertail checks a lot of boxes for you. All the fish boxes for sure.
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Post by benmnwi on Mar 5, 2024 14:05:43 GMT -6
So, I was ready to book a week on a fly in lake in ON for my wife and I, and then common sense kicked in. I think she'd go stir crazy without a cellphone, TV, or internet. Plus, I swore a few years ago I was going to keep my U.S. dollars working in the U.S., nowhere else. I'd like to find a lake in MN with a VRBO (or other private rental, no resorts) where I could take the wife and have some decent panfish action and a chance at bass/pike/walleyes. I'd prefer a smaller lake, say 2000 acres or less. I'm not looking for anybody's honeyhole, just a starting point I suppose. I started winnowing through threads on Fishing MN and InDepth outdoors and got overwhelmed. Doesn't seem most of the action on those sites was geared towards what I'm looking for. Any input appreciated If you are looking for panfish action, I think the timing of your trip will be as important as the lake itself. Early June should have bluegills in shallows spawning and some crappies can be found there. We mostly fish the Mississippi River in SE MN these days, but in the past we would fish Lake Vermillion in early/mid June. The bluegill fishing there is excellent and there are plenty of nice walleyes, northerns, smallmouth bass and musky. There are lots of jumbo perch up there as well that you can catch almost anywhere, but they were wormy so we never kept them. Lake Vermillion is larger than you are looking for, but we always stayed on the far western end that is much smaller than the main lake. That portion of the lake on the far west side is only about a mile wide. From the western end we stayed at, we would drive the boat into Black Bay and Norwegien Bay to find bluegills and occasionally crappies. The bluegill fishing was extremely good, with plenty of large fish that were fairly easy to find since they all moved into those bays to spawn. I'm sure there are solid panfish lakes closer to your house, but Lake Vermillion is a really good place to catch a ton of bluegills during the day and then walleyes in the evening just before dark.
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Post by benmnwi on Mar 5, 2024 14:15:31 GMT -6
There are cabins right on Black Bay and Norwegien Bay, so you could have the small lake feel if you could find one for rent in those specific locations. The walleye fishing can be really good too with plenty of eater walleyes. Big walleyes were harder to find, but every year someone in our group would catch one in the 24"+ range. The largest walleye anyone in our group caught on our annual fishing trip there was 30".
I just zoomed in on a map to look at some of our old fishing spots up there and I could show you exactly where we caught the panfish, northerns and the community type walleye spot where lots of boats would show up to fish the last hour or two of daylight. The bigger walleyes tended to come from random humps or rock piles away from all the fishing pressure.
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Post by benmnwi on Mar 5, 2024 14:51:00 GMT -6
I should admit as well though that I haven't fished up there in a decade, but we fished up there for a week every year for 10+ years and the fishing was extremely consistent at that time of year. The fish were always found in the same locations in mid-June, but I'm sure if you went up there a month earlier or later they would be found in different areas.
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 5, 2024 14:51:36 GMT -6
So, I was ready to book a week on a fly in lake in ON for my wife and I, and then common sense kicked in. I think she'd go stir crazy without a cellphone, TV, or internet. Plus, I swore a few years ago I was going to keep my U.S. dollars working in the U.S., nowhere else. I'd like to find a lake in MN with a VRBO (or other private rental, no resorts) where I could take the wife and have some decent panfish action and a chance at bass/pike/walleyes. I'd prefer a smaller lake, say 2000 acres or less. I'm not looking for anybody's honeyhole, just a starting point I suppose. I started winnowing through threads on Fishing MN and InDepth outdoors and got overwhelmed. Doesn't seem most of the action on those sites was geared towards what I'm looking for. Any input appreciated I like Minnesota Lakefinder to get a view of test nettings. One expert said it doesn’t pay to look at test nettings from more than five years back. The Longville to Hackensack area has lots of small lakes and things to do as does the Park Rapids and Bemidji area.
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 5, 2024 15:01:11 GMT -6
So, I was ready to book a week on a fly in lake in ON for my wife and I, and then common sense kicked in. I think she'd go stir crazy without a cellphone, TV, or internet. Plus, I swore a few years ago I was going to keep my U.S. dollars working in the U.S., nowhere else. I'd like to find a lake in MN with a VRBO (or other private rental, no resorts) where I could take the wife and have some decent panfish action and a chance at bass/pike/walleyes. I'd prefer a smaller lake, say 2000 acres or less. I'm not looking for anybody's honeyhole, just a starting point I suppose. I started winnowing through threads on Fishing MN and InDepth outdoors and got overwhelmed. Doesn't seem most of the action on those sites was geared towards what I'm looking for. Any input appreciated I like Minnesota Lakefinder to get a view of test nettings. One expert said it doesn’t pay to look at test nettings from more than five years back. The Longville to Hackensack area has lots of small lakes and things to do as does the Park Rapids and Bemidji area. Some lakes probably froze out over last winter. You need to remember that when looking at lake test surveys.
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Post by smsmith on Mar 5, 2024 15:05:47 GMT -6
So, I was ready to book a week on a fly in lake in ON for my wife and I, and then common sense kicked in. I think she'd go stir crazy without a cellphone, TV, or internet. Plus, I swore a few years ago I was going to keep my U.S. dollars working in the U.S., nowhere else. I'd like to find a lake in MN with a VRBO (or other private rental, no resorts) where I could take the wife and have some decent panfish action and a chance at bass/pike/walleyes. I'd prefer a smaller lake, say 2000 acres or less. I'm not looking for anybody's honeyhole, just a starting point I suppose. I started winnowing through threads on Fishing MN and InDepth outdoors and got overwhelmed. Doesn't seem most of the action on those sites was geared towards what I'm looking for. Any input appreciated I like Minnesota Lakefinder to get a view of test nettings. One expert said it doesn’t pay to look at test nettings from more than five years back. The Longville to Hackensack area has lots of small lakes and things to do as does the Park Rapids and Bemidji area. I think I've narrowed my search to the general Park Rapids area Edit...anybody know anything about Long lake near Park Rapids?
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Post by nitro27 on Mar 5, 2024 17:48:22 GMT -6
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Post by Foggy on Mar 5, 2024 18:41:38 GMT -6
I like Minnesota Lakefinder to get a view of test nettings. One expert said it doesn’t pay to look at test nettings from more than five years back. The Longville to Hackensack area has lots of small lakes and things to do as does the Park Rapids and Bemidji area. I think I've narrowed my search to the general Park Rapids area Edit...anybody know anything about Long lake near Park Rapids? Your on the right track.....but for the real deal look into the crow wing chain of lakes....that would be a few miles east of Park Rapids...near Nevis and Ackley. Nearby towns are small and fun joints abound. Not too far to Park Rapids or Walker for a day of town life. Also HUGE UTV / ATV trail system there.....so you could also ride your UTV between bars and lakes in the area. I think there are 11 lakes that are connected by the crow wing river. Most are very good fishing yet rather small in size. Another good area is over by Emily and Outing MN. Some really good lakes in there too....and somewhat similar for trail riding nearby. I think outdoor news had just profiled one of the better fishing lakes in the area. Lots of other places like this too. Thunder Lake comes to mind. Art may know about that area? Also some nice smaller lakes around the Whitefish Chain....that are decent fishing and yet could offer the small lake appeal you look for. Tho......While the chain is fun and pretty cool to visit....the chain itself may be way too big water and big boat for what you seek....IMO.
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Post by biglakebass on Mar 5, 2024 18:43:22 GMT -6
Great idea on the mix of fishing and trail riding Foggy!
We just planned a trip to Talmoon area for last weekend in April for a UTV ride. Cant wait to get riding again!
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Post by smsmith on Mar 5, 2024 18:56:01 GMT -6
I'd either trailer the boat or the Ranger, but not both. I'll stick to taking the boat this time.
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Post by Foggy on Mar 5, 2024 19:00:46 GMT -6
I'd either trailer the boat or the Ranger, but not both. I'll stick to taking the boat this time. I understand that. But I'd guess you are only an hour to an hour and a half from home at Akley. I like the allure of those little lakes on the Crow Wing chain. Kinda like stepping back in time.
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Post by smsmith on Mar 5, 2024 19:16:16 GMT -6
I'd either trailer the boat or the Ranger, but not both. I'll stick to taking the boat this time. I understand that. But I'd guess you are only an hour to an hour and a half from home at Akley. I like the allure of those little lakes on the Crow Wing chain. Kinda like stepping back in time. Akeley and Park Rapids are both just under 90 minutes. After driving to Kabetogama the last couple years, I'd like to stick much closer to home now. I like it on/near Kab, but that's such big water I feel kind of lost when I'm fishing there. To be honest, I really enjoy the little lakes right around here. Getting away somewhere else for a week of fishing and hanging out sounds pretty good though. I looked at a couple VRBOs on the Crow Wing chain. The wife will end up having the final say on where we end up I imagine. I could see taking the Ranger up there for a long weekend and running around in the fall.
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Post by Foggy on Mar 5, 2024 19:35:37 GMT -6
You should just make a day trip up there soon.....and just look around the area. I think you could get a good feel of the area in a days time. Kinda a low-key lifestyle in those little towns....but they also have a pretty fair tourism thing going on. I've trailered my UTV there and rode some trails and stopped at some local watering holes for lunch. I wish I could recommend a lake there.....but I have never fished in that chain......just heard allot about it. My deer property is only about 30 minutes south.
Seems to me.....that I heard the 11th of the crow wing chain of lakes was pretty good. But you know how old guys memory goes. grin.
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