Destination recommendation

I cant say strongly enough just how much my daughter loves chasing flags for pike. So for Christmas I would like to surprise her with a daddy/daughter/grandpa fishing trip to chase some big pike. Looking for some recommendations for possible destination with good numbers but a good chance at a big un. I was looking at lotw but I’ve heard the night bite is pretty much non existent. So that got me to thinking to try and find a place we could rent a trailer to set up base camp to fish in the evenings for walleye/perch/crappie and then strike out during the day for some pike. Up north is preferable but not against heading west to the dakotas either. Just concerned about wind out there. Obviously this trip is entirely contingent upon current health crisis. But doesn’t hurt to start planning.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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What time of year are you thinking, where are you located and how far do you want to travel?

Sorry, that probably wouldve been helpful. Live in Minneapolis, 5 hours would be max travel time. Pretty open as to time of year.

Early ice, the north end of Mille Lacs has some beasts…see my profile picture. The 1st break is all you’d need to fish. You’d get a lot of walleye action as well. That time of year the walleyes like the set lines a lot more than the jigged lines. You won’t have a shack out there to sleep in for a while though.

Devils Lake would be another prime destination for numbers and size. Not sure if that’s within your distance though. Also lots of bonus walleyes and perch, and you can bring a lot home with you if you want a meal.

I’ve caught some monsters on Red, but never during the winter. I know they are out there, but have never targeted them there. LOW is another great bet, but again, I’m always chasing walleyes as opposed to pike. Someone with more experience on that lake for pike would be able to guide you in a better direction.

Every thought of the Mississippi river pools? There are some big pike on the river that make there way through ice holes every year. And panfish will keep you busy throughout the day. Seeing you have a younger child this might be the way to go for a more steady bite than walleye

Devils Lake would definitely be a good option, I have hooked into more than a few while walleye fishing there and have seen plenty of people target Northerns there

North Dakota was on my radar just for the fact that you can run 4 lines a person. More lines more chances. Right?

Devils lake all you need is a couple packs of hotdogs for bait. Surprisingly they work. Cheap too.

Zipple Bay or Warroad area of LOTW in March would probably be my pick. Or if you wanted to go the full guided route, I’d reach out to Rainy Daze for Granrud’s input on them on Rainy Lake for the same time period.

Devil’s Lake or Lake Sakakawea have awesome reputations as well, I’m just not as familiar with either.

Mississippi Backwaters

BigWerm wrote:

Zipple Bay or Warroad area of LOTW in March would probably be my pick. Or if you wanted to go the full guided route, I’d reach out to Rainy Daze for Granrud’s input on them on Rainy Lake for the same time period.

Devil’s Lake or Lake Sakakawea have awesome reputations as well, I’m just not as familiar with either.

We were up there last March and headed to to the Igloo bar on the ice. A gal in her 20’s was bartending and with the help of a couple customers got a 43″er through a hole behind the bar. Its unique with rattle wheels by all the tables. There are some pigs there!

I forgot to mention that this was well after dark.

Another vote for Devil’s Lake. We fished some of the sloughs on the north side and had 30-40 flag afternoons with 10 tipups out.

There are quite a few spots to target northerns here,North end of Sixmile bay is my favorite,Walfords bay,Stromme addition,Old Mill,and Budwieser bay would be all be good bets,with good walleye in same areas.
Dry,Irvine and Alice,the north lakes would also be good bets.

New to this but am starting to guide fishermen know excellent spots to fish from lotw to millacs am located near Itasca state park area and know of prime fishing waters most people would love to try, catching large fish and having fun and lots of action is what I know how to do, cheapest yet best fishing gauranteed working on the lodging part as of now only couple fishhouses and hotels in close proximity and only a 3.5 hour drive from minneapolis

Devils lake