I have a group of five guys headed north the first week of January. We are trying to decide between Zippel Bay and Sportsmen’s Lodge. They guys would like to stay in a sleeper house even though the night bite is non existent. If anyone has any extra information they want to provide, please feel free to PM me with and extra details. Thanks in advance! 
Personally I wouldn’t stay in a sleeper if shore options were available and affordable. Too confining because like you said there is nothing happening after dark. I would rather eat out, sit at a bar and have TV in my room along with a shower. And pooping in a toilet is not overrated…..
Yea, I tried telling them that. They still want to spend the entire time on the ice. I’m just going with the flow.
be da boss! 
tell them “I’LL DECIDE”. and I agree wit day udder guy!!!!! 
this is probably not what you want to hear but both are great. had good luck with both outfits. Personally I would go to Sportmans Oak Island Lodge. That was one of the most fun trips I can remember and the fishing was down that year.
Just called zippel bay, and their sleeper for 5 guys is only 10×16. That could be tight. 
10x 16 sounds very tight for 5 guys. I agree 100% with Suzuki, if the bite is good at night thats one thing but sleeping in a real bed, tv, pooping in a real toilet…….. much much much better. IMHO
PS: we rented an 8×20 on Red a couple of years ago with 5-6 guys and it was perfect. Might have been a 10×20 but can’t remember for sure.
Quote:
And pooping in a toilet is not overrated…..
Hahah well said
Something about bearing it all on the wide open ice is just not right but anyone who’s ice fished LOTW has probably had to do it. 
The houses at Sportsmen’s are 12×18. Sounds like that would be a lot better choice in my eyes.
That’s allot of noise on top the ice if you end up on a shallow bite – I’d consider two shacks, haven’t been to Zippel in a few years but once we got smart they rented us a huge mobile home at the resort mid week – cheap. That was awesome.
Quote:
Personally I wouldn’t stay in a sleeper if shore options were available and affordable. Too confining because like you said there is nothing happening after dark. I would rather eat out, sit at a bar and have TV in my room along with a shower. And pooping in a toilet is not overrated…..
I like this guy’s thinking. I spent to much time in the military being stuck in close quarters with a bunch of dudes who don’t get to shower for a few days. Plus the smell of a hangover would just make it that much better in the sleeper 
If there is no night bite, there’s no point to stay on the ice. I would vote for enjoying the amenities of a resort.
Depending how your buddies are I prefer a sleeper…If they arent hardcore fishermen they can be a pain to get up and get on the lake especially after the bar…I prefer a sleeper cause you wake up drop a line and catch your first walleye while your brushing your teeth and everyone else is sleeping…not one of your options, but if your looking for a bigger sleeper freds beds has 10×20 sleepers and I thought I heard he has a bigger one now too…Whatever resort you pick I’m sure you will catch fish…Good Luck!!
A couple buddies and I are having this same dilemma…The opinions are very helpful!
Keep em coming
I would let them stay in the sleeper and I would get a room at the Sportsman’s Lodge. I would show up to the shack every morning well rested.
Quote:
I would let them stay in the sleeper and I would get a room at the Sportsman’s Lodge. I would show up to the shack every morning well rested.
X2
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
