Large Family Resort Help

So I’m trying to convincemy family to do a fishing vacation, possibly next summer, but sometime in the future. I could use your guys suggestions on places to look into. Here is the info to help lay out the picture. If we can all go there would be 8 adults, 5 kids aged 4-13, 1 infant. I want to get them into some walleye fishing (except for my wife and I none of them ever have walleye fished, mostly just panfish). Currently I have the largest boat of the group, and mine is just a 16′ side console deep V. Depending on how quickly my Dad moves on his new boat idea, he may also have one as large or larger than mine. Otherwise its just 14′ mod. V’s with 15 hp tillers (with hte possibilty we may rent something bigger from the resort so we had at least 2 boats 16′ or +). I’m really the only one with ‘bigger’ water experience (Vermillion and Rainy).

As for the resort, we’d be looking for a place feels ‘away from it’ (and is far enough away none of us can be tempted to go back home for work) but still with some convienences for the women/kids (Tv, shopping within reasonable distance, maybe a playground area). (I’ve stayed at Muskego point at vermillion before and was thinking that till my wife brought up the TV thing with 5 kids along with). I like fishing a place that isn’t developed shorelines from end to end too but that might be asking a bit much given the other constraints above. Primarily I want this to be a walleye trip, hopefully a lake that isn’t too tough to learn as my experience isn’t that much either, and also some decent panfishing for the kids. Looking at WI or MN, a place in WI would be a selling point to the rest of the family because they don’t fish MN otherwise.

So far the following have been axed (not by me), Rainy, Mille Lacs, LOTW, if we went back to Vermillion I’d prefer to stay at Muskego but the TV thing makes it a ?? (I want to stay far away from the south end and the casino). Any river system (Miss, St Croix, etc).

Here were the ones I’ve looked into a bit – Kabetogama(MN), Pelican lake(MN), Pokegema(MN) (first run through didn’t find anyresorts though), Turtle Flambeau Flowage(WI), Chippewa Flowage(WI). (none of which I’ve fished before)

Any suggestions on lakes and/or resorts would be much appretiated. Something we won’t do till next year at the earlists, probably looking either June or September. I wouldn’t mind hearing of places for a smaller group too, say 5 to 8 people, instead of 14, as the whole family might not be able to go.

Kab gets my vote. Just got back and walleye fishing was great. Resort we stayed at handles large groups. Clean and affordable. Old school service that you dont see anymore.

http://lakeviewkabetogama.com/cabins.htm

We stayed at Sweetwater resort on Fishtrap Lake for a few years till my parents bought a place. We had 16 people. The lake is well developed but fishing in the middle of July was fantastic! Allways found crappies, right to the right of the resort!. Lots of sunnies and pike. My girls still talk about about trolling spinner baits over the cabbage, easier than casting for pike. Some walleyes on jointed shad raps while trolling in 12-14′. Bass were phenominal! Wish my parents would have bought a cabin their but what do ya do! Good luck! My feeling is that if you can catch something you will have fun!
Dream’n

From my point of view if you’re a traditional walleye fisherman stay away from Chippewa Flowage. I’ve been there and as beautiful as the lake is its tough to fish. There is no motor trolling on the chip meaning you can’t use the motor and drag a lure like lindys, trolling, pulling spinners. You can drag a lure if the wind is blowing but I was there for a week with almost no wind at all and I struggled. I would try Leech or Winnie. Winnie has the less developed advantage but you need to drive a ways to find town for the girls to shop. Leech is more developed but walker is a town to keep the girls occupied and the brainerd area is only an hour away. As for fishing both are good. Winnie has tons of eater sized fish. Leech has the nice mix of eaters, slots, and the occasional over fish 26+. If you have any other questions about these lakes you can pm me too.

Mille lacs First few weeks after opener. Red Door is in a prime location to fish the areas most do that time of year. With smaller boats the travel will be slim to none and there should be plenty of fish to catch. Book soon it fills fast. Im sure there are others that are good for kids too but I know RD has a play set and nice park area.

Mille Lacs for the walleye fishing, but not sure about the resort side.

Chippewa Flowage for the family. I suggest Treelands if you can get in, it is a great family place. As noted above it is a tough lake in general, not really known for walleye, but they are there.

Look into the Iowa great lakes. Spirit Lake, Little Spirit etc. lots of good fishing including a good perch bite for the kids and lots of stuff to do including an amuesment park

Kabetogama has been our choice for the last 5 years. PineAire resort has a very nice cabin that can accomadate your family, it is called the Beaver Lodge. Play ground, beach, large kitchen, TV, great hosts.

I would say Leech lake. Most of the resorts actually are family resorts. Remember, when trying to merge a family vacation and walleye trip into one, family trumps walleye every time as it should. A couple of years ago I went through the same process as you trying to find a combo family and fishing trip. At the time I thought I was giving in when I booked a place on Leech as I wanted Kabetogama or Vermillion. WE have ended up going back to Leech every year since and I wouldn’t even want to try anyplace else now. Nice thing about Leech, if the wind is blowing and your still dead set on getting out on the water, there are several landings close by that you can relaunch out of and be out of the wind totally. Or a short drive in the boat will get you out of the wind as well.
Most resorts there also have pools for the kids. Also, most places clean your fish for you at no extra charge etc. This means a lot to my family and now they prefer northerns as tehy can catch northerns faster than walleyes.

Adventure north and Huddles are my experience. The only reason I ever change a resort is because I want to explore a different part of the lake. I have never had to go more than 3 miles to be on walleyes.

I live in the IGL’s not a place I recomend for a getaway unless you like crowds… I like Spring Bay Resort on Vermiliion, lots of cabin options and good fishing close by and still be safe in your smaller boats even of a somewhat windy day, far enough away from things yet close enough to things for day trips like to the Wolf or Bear sancuary and shopping within a reasonable drive….The owners will treat you as family and by far one of the best resorts I have ever stayed at….

This isn’t a 5-star resort, but it is decent and comfortable. The owners put it in the top 5 places I’ve ever stayed with their great service and hospitality.

It is in the city of Hackensack, but it is off a quiet street. Walking distance to ice cream, parks, shopping, but you hear the frogs croak at night.

Walleyes, pike, bass, panfish prevail. Great fishing.
Clean water for swimming.
Small enough lake to handle all the boats you’d bring, yet big enough to handle any boat you’d bring.

http://www.birchhavenmn.com/

Can’t say enough good things about a family resort that is “reasonable” for cost and has all the amenities and comfort, without making one feel too close to home that you have to worry about work.

Planning on taking the family there next summer for a week.

PM me if you want more details. I did do a fishing report on the lake about 4 years ago. You can find it if you search it out here on the site.

I was kind of wondering about Leech, never been there. Talked with the Fam. some today and its sounding more like it would just be 4 to 6 adults and either 1 infant, or 1 infant and 2 aged 5-6. In all likely hood it will just be the 4 adults and an infant. Also found out it will be very likely that in addition to my 16′ boat we will also have a 175 or 185 alumacraft walk-thru windshield style boat too. SO any suggestions you have on a smaller group would be appretitated too, though I am more tempted to go back to Muskego with that group (it would just be me and wife, baby and my parents), since I have some experience up in the Wakemup narrows, but wouldn’t mind something new either.

Maybe Vacationland on ottertail??? Its on my bucket list soon but may have just what your looking for seeing your list of preferences.Maybe some one else can chime in with family vacation experiences from the area.

Watch the big shallow lakes like Winnie and Milacs, a bit of wind and smaller boats with kids in them may not be fun.

Maybe a lake like Cass, near Leech if you want to try there, near places to shop and resturants and such and not quite so wind effected.

Al

Think about Green Bay and Door Co.
Not too far,in WI and a GREAT fishing..
No matter which way the wind blows you can find a place to fish.
Smallies,Walleye, Salmon and Trout, What more could you sak for

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I was kind of wondering about Leech, never been there. Talked with the Fam. some today and its sounding more like it would just be 4 to 6 adults and either 1 infant, or 1 infant and 2 aged 5-6. In all likely hood it will just be the 4 adults and an infant. Also found out it will be very likely that in addition to my 16′ boat we will also have a 175 or 185 alumacraft walk-thru windshield style boat too. SO any suggestions you have on a smaller group would be appretitated too, though I am more tempted to go back to Muskego with that group (it would just be me and wife, baby and my parents), since I have some experience up in the Wakemup narrows, but wouldn’t mind something new either.

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You looked at Leech lake it has everyhting your looking for.

Try http://www.Chaseonthelake.com many small lakes to fish and fun things for the kids