Hi, we are looking for the best all around lake/area for guaranteed walleye, maybe jumbo perch, maybe monster crappie or northern. Preferrably not lotw, too far. Wisconsin or MN. For an ice fishing trip this winter. Thanks
Hi, we are looking for the best all around lake/area for guaranteed walleye, maybe jumbo perch, maybe monster crappie or northern. Preferrably not lotw, too far. Wisconsin or MN. For an ice fishing trip this winter. Thanks
Pick any lake. All of them are great. 
Mississippi’ river Winona mn
Pick a latitude somewhere just south of Mille Lacs, draw a line across MN and WI at that lat, and then throw a dart north of it. If it’s a big enough lake to see it and aim at it, it’s probably a pretty good opportunity.
Best way I can explain how I feel about it. 
(But seriously, there’s great fishing on the southern end of both these states as well. They just don’t get the attention the northern lakes do.)
If you are mobile hit Alexandria or Annandale area could planiy out and hit a crap ton of lakesin a short amount of time
If lotw is too far, is Red Lake too far….
Upper Red lake is exactly what you asked for…guaranteed walleye* and you may catch a giant jumbo perch, maybe monster crappie or northern.
*terms and conditions apply, not all walleye are guaranteed but its pretty dang close
LOTW.
Trust me it’s not to far.
To the OP, do you have all your own equipment like augers, portables, ATV, (wheelhouse)? Or are you looking to rent a sleeper or day fish house? And what time of the ice season? These variables can make a world of difference in what might be suggested.
Moore Lake. Be careful, there is an aerator.
one thing to consider if you go to LOTW is there is no night bite. I prefer a lake with a night bite for sleeper trips cause about the time im done nursing my hangover the fish start biting again
Trappers Landing on Leech Lake has all that you are looking for.
If the aerator scares you, west Moore Lake is aerator free. 
Moore Lake. Be careful, there is an aerator.
Matt,
Your post was “Best lake for ice fishing trip”. IMHO LOTW is the best lake for ice fishing. Especially the Wheelers Point Area, it’s a fishing village like no other with 6 to 8 resorts seconds away from each other. Guaranteed walleye and if you catch it at the right time, you can only fish one line because your catching em that fast. When I first starting going up there I heard that story, and let me tell you that I have lived it a few times. Plus, you have a great chance at a plus 30″ fish.
Like crappie stated not much night action on the lake (we have caught them but they are few and far between), but that’s what the resorts are for.
Put it this way, If you never fish hardwater LOTW, your missing out.
guaranteed walleye
If my life depended on it, and I had to pick one lake to catch a walleye, many walleye, or a walleye over 25″+ it would be Mille Lacs and there isn’t a close second right now imho. Red is great, LOTW can be phenomenal but right now, this year, I think Mille Lacs is the closest to a guarantee. Could very well run into a jumbo perch or two, and if you want to chase flags it has some of the largest Pike in the state (check out Fisher’s Resort facebook page for some tanks). A lot of great resort options that can get you what you need too!
BW, I agree with your statement 100%.
I guess what I’m trying to say is WP on LOTW is more than just fishing. It’s a fishing Mecca, you need to make the pilgrimage at least once.
and BW, now let’s start telling people it’s going to be a Dead Sea this winter, if ya catch my drift. 
at least until the get together.
BW, I agree with your statement 100%.
I guess what I’m trying to say is WP on LOTW is more than just fishing. It’s a fishing Mecca, you need to make the pilgrimage at least once.and BW, now let’s start telling people it’s going to be a Dead Sea this winter, if ya catch my drift.
at least until the get together.
Haha oh yeah, go to LOTW all the way! The Resort Row on Wheeler’s Point and the Igloo bar in Zipple bay should be on every fisherman’s bucket list! Plus an 8 fish limit! You can’t even keep a walleye on Mille Lacs, the perch are few and far between, and have you ever eaten a 46″ Pike? Me neither but I bet they are horrible! 
X2
Someone just told me Red is a tough bite mid season. FWIW
I heard Red is on FIRE from first ice to ice out.
Have been to red a few times through resorts hit or miss luck. Feel like the most positive reports out of there are the guys up there all the time with wheel houses and focus on reporting thecdays they bite
Zippel great choice ! Hit the igloo. Nick will get you on fish we’ve had them move us from deep to shallow houses depending on where they’re biting. At the resort get the chicken philly it is a 10!
Between walleye sauger and tulibee I don’t know why you’d want to hit another lake. Could hit winnie for perch on the way home
Matt –
All BS aside, I didn’t care for the Owners or inside staff at Zippel. They were the most unfriendly resort people I have ever met.
I hope is was just an isolated case for me.
The morning bait set-up takes forever and they need to change that system.
The Staff out on the ice were awesome, those guys worked their butts off.
Their Log cabins are great.
Good luck, and have fun!
Let us know how you do.
Lake Osaka can be a hot spot…..I’m not sure of when in the winter…. I like the backwater areas around Wabasha, MN. If you are willing to move around a bit, you can find everything! From 10″ Perch to pound+ crappies to solid northern & gills! The local bait shop can always point you to a hot bite in the area.
Don’t need to go to Canada to do the wigwam-sportsman resorts, look for the accommodations and options you are looking for and then check reviews, we use to go to riverbend, borderview, adrians, ballards, all of them are good options. If you want more variety, maybe Cass, winni, leech area and smaller area lakes are the way to go?
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at least until the get together.
