Best Minnesota or UP lake for Smallmouth & Walleye

I am from Green Bay and i planning a family fishing get together this summer and I am looking for suggestions on the best lake(s) for mainly smallmouth (all catch and release for us) and just a few walleye meals. Looking for accomdations for 4-7 days close to lakes.

There are 11 of us ranging from the 70’s down to 5.

Big water is not really an issue as we have 2 Champions 1 19′ and 1 22′.

Not sure what you consider a close drive, but I would put Lake Vermilion at the top of my list of Smallmouth/Walleye lakes in MN.

I would normally recommend Mille Lacs in this case because the smallmouth and walleye fishing are both fantastic but the bass fishing has become very difficult due to the high pressure and you likely won’t be able to keep any walleyes.

Maybe someone else will chime in with their suggestions.

Mille Lacs would be my #1 if you don’t mind skipping the walleye meals. If that’s a requirement, I’d go to Rainy.

I understand I am from Green Bay & have fished Door Co. for over 30yrs. and have seen that fishery severely decline due to too much pressure, both tournament and sport fisherman with the later not particularly practicing catch and release.

Never fished Rainy, but have friends that have, and they say rainy has is not what is was 10 yrs. ago. Not quite sure what or how bad that statement is ?

Mille Lacs is the best bet for the angler from out of state. Lots of other choices as well, Vermillion is good, I had great smallmouth fishing on the Kab chain, size was not epic, but lots of action.

There are better smallmouth lakes, but I doubt anyone’s going to name them on an internet forum.

If you really want good smallmouth fishing, rivers are also a great bet, but they get very little love because the best smallmouth rivers cannot be fished with a 20+ foot boat with a 300 HP on the back.

Grouse

Mille lacs would be my 1st choice then off to vermillion, crane, kab, nam and so on.

The smallies on mille lacs jump in to your boat if you are at the right place and right time. I seen 5 of the largest smallies come out of mille lacs just this last year all in my boat. And the walleye at those times just hit when not being targeted as well. Almost a nuisance

The Park Rapids area is awesome, plenty of good lakes, and plenty of quiet mom and pop resorts still. Plus you are close to Leech. Walker and PR are good towns for the shops/restaurants, and lots of other activities (Heartland Bike trail).

Thanks Much

Thank You

For Smallmouth: Look at regs (WI uncertain about MI) for the lakes with 18″ smallmouth minimum. They put a little star in the regs for “Quality fishing opportunity”. Those lakes CAN grow big fish – reason DNR puts “Quality” regs on them. Told this by DNR Fisheries Biologist.

The best lake I know in UP for walleyes is – Lake Cantell. It’s right next to Lake Won’tell. I do know you can find nice eyes if you look for them. You just won’t get more from me.