Just because I love summer. My group of guys have been going ice fishing for 4 days to Upper Red for the last 11 years and are looking for another option. We love URL and have stayed at West Wind and always have a had a great time. We have also fished Mille Lacs all our lives. We just want something different. 3-4 hour drive and either we will Air BnB a cabin or stay at a resort.
Anyone know some great winter options or places to stay / fish.
LOTW will give you a similar experience as red but most likely bigger fish (and also more than a 3-4 hour drive). My opinion, at least, is that there’s no place within 3-4 hours of the twin cities that will give up the numbers that red lake does.
We did fish Leech Lake 2 winters ago. Overall lots of fun, downtown walker was a good time, and got a nice mixed bag of fish (walleye, perch, pike, pout) but certainly not the numbers of walleyes that I’ve gotten on Red Lake.
Anyone know some great winter options or places to stay / fish.
Hawaii or perhaps a Mexican resort. Boycott the ice.
In the 3-4 hour window I would probably say Leech, but the fishing won’t be like Red or Mille Lacs. Maybe the Whitefish Chain near Brainerd, but those can be pretty finicky. I agree with the first response you got. If you want something different with about the same drive time as Red, I would highly recommend Devils Lake in ND. Went last year for the Clam University and had an absolute blast. Trophy perch, plenty of eater walleyes and some large northerns as well.
South Dakota plenty of options for fish you want.
We are in the same ice house. Have a group of buddy’s that are going to change it up this year and try Devils lake.
Without knowing what part of the season you’re looking at, I’d also say South Dakota would give you lots of good options at about the 4hr driving mark, especially if you’re willing to be flexible with your target species.
ATV or sleds are usually preferred and sometimes necessary depending on time of year + snow/ice conditions. Also be prepared to put on lots of miles on the truck while you’re out there – no big deal to go 100+ miles per day driving around between different lakes.
If you go to SD, do your research and start with calls and emails now – lots of good guides out there that can help with planning/lodging. Good luck with what you decide.
Rainy Lake is at the top of my list, for lakes I haven’t ice fished. LIttle further drive and you would need sleds or 4 wheelers, or book a guide.
Fishing Rainy Lake this winter for the first time thru the ice. Ended up booking with Rainy Daze mainly because I didnt want to get up there and have there be too much snow for an ATV, not knowing where bad ice spots could be, to learn some new spots and see how the systems differs from fall to winter fishing
Thanks for the responses guys!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>E Ashwell wrote:</div>
Anyone know some great winter options or places to stay / fish.Hawaii or perhaps a Mexican resort. Boycott the ice.
party pooper!! 
Maybe I missed it, but what month? Leech is great for walleyes at first ice, mid- December through mid-January, and not very productive after that (maybe just for 1 hour per day in February for walleye bite). Good perchin’ mid-day all winter though, and then walleyes at dusk.
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