Ideas for an annual fishing trip

I’m starting to plan and put together a (hopefully) annual fishing trips with some friends and family. Just looking for some suggestions on lakes to look into. There’s some obvious ones, sure. Red, LOTW, Winnie, Vermilion… but i’m looking for other ideas as well. This would be primarily a walleye trip, though multi species is always fun.

I haven’t ever had a chance to get around and fish a lot of lakes for walleye, and in fact only started walleye fishing a couple years ago, so i’m relatively unfamiliar still with most lakes. Ideally we would prefer it be within 3 or so hours of the cities. Any suggestions are thoroughly appreciated.

If I were looking to make an annual trip where I would have lasting memories I would focus as much on things like what the area you go to has to offer as well as the campgrounds/resorts ect as I would on the lake itself. You’ve already named off some of the more popular options. Other areas I would consider would be the Alexandria area as well as mille lacs, voyager’s national park, and lake pepin. If you’re looking to stay at a resort I would start by doing some research and look up reviews to find one you think will match your groups style. You can pick the best lake in the world but if you stay at a crummy resort if can put a damper on the experience.

Crappie nailed it, depends a lot on what you are looking for on accommodations and entertainment beyond fishing. If you want the comforts of home with some off the water entertainment options, I’d be looking around Brainerd, Walker, Park Rapids, Alexandria, or Grand Rapids areas. If you are just looking for fishing-centric walleye, with some to eat, I’d be looking at Red, LOTW or Voyageurs National Park. If solitude and getting off the grid is something you’re interested in it’s tough to be the VNP lakes (Rainy, Crane, Kab) or the Ely/BWCA area.

I’d consider your boat situation as well. I wouldn’t recommend a yearly trip to LOTW unless you have a pretty big boat, otherwise you’ll be putting yourself in dangerous situations or just sitting on land a lot.

I’d think about time of year as well, depending what type of fishing you like to do, the time of year might dictate the most productive techniques.

Overall, I’d just go to Canada

For my taste Brainerd is too developed and touristy. I love the Park Rapids area but that area does seem to have good walleye lakes-happy with nice bass and pannies? PR is your area. Good Luck!

I’m at Breezy Point outside Nisswa right now. First time here and the resort and area are great. Far enough away from the Gull Lake crowd but a ton to do.

Lots of fishing options but a tough bite right now given the heat. I would agree with everyone. If fishing is a priority head further north. Great suggestions given but also throw Winnie on the list as I’ve had good walleye fishing there in mid summer. If amenities and stuff to do is the deal, Brainerd, Nisswa, bemidji, etc. are your spots. You could throw Heyward, wi in there too.

Matt Moen wrote:

I’m at Breezy Point outside Nisswa right now. First time here and the resort and area are great. Far enough away from the Gull Lake crowd but a ton to do.

Lots of fishing options but a tough bite right now given the heat.

Matt, I’ve been to Breezy a couple times in the winter. Great place with all the extras and such. Perhaps not known as a primary fishing destination, but the resort accommodations make up for that. Enjoy that for what it offers for the family and maybe fishing secondary?

tim hurley wrote:

For my taste Brainerd is too developed and touristy.

I would agree personally but depends on the OP’s friends and family. If most like to look at a lake and then go to town for shopping and such, not a bad option as there are some more remote smaller resorts still around that area with good fishing too.

Always mention of the large lake destinations but I think perhaps overlooked is the smaller resorts on the smaller lakes. Good fishing for multiple species and no worries of getting out in high wind days.

I’m thinking of smaller lake resorts near Walker. Plenty for shopping and other entertainment close by for those that play that game, and predictable, safe conditions to boat out and catch something?

Red and LOTW should only be on your list if it’s a bunch of guys who only care about fishing and drinking at night. There is nothing else going on for other activities and entertainment.

If you only want walleye, I’d say Leech or Cass. Cass can be tough to fish, but it gives you so many options and you can easily trailer to any number of lakes in any direction if you want. Otherwise, for multi-species with some walleye thrown in, I’d recommend any of the smaller lakes around Grand Rapids, Marcell, etc. There is a lot of solitude up that way away from all of the crap.

I agree with others that the Brainerd area is not my cup of tea, but you can’t beat it for the easy drive up and for family activities. But I think there is just something fundamentally wrong with a Best Buy and Costco 15 minutes away from my vacation.

Basically, I’d recommend any resorts north of the Brainerd/Cross Lake area.

queenswake wrote:

But I think there is just something fundamentally wrong with a Best Buy and Costco 15 minutes away from my vacation.

Basically, I’d recommend any resorts north of the Brainerd/Cross Lake area.

If its fishing only? no other choice as the NW Angle of Lake of the Woods, a little farther then you want, but simply the best fishing and you can get by with smaller boats. Otherwise, park rapids, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Walker, all good choices.

Longville/ hackensack area, think woman lake or smaller. Great area.

Thanks for the replies everyone. This will be primarily a fishing trip. Not particularly concerned with recreation and activities within the area.

Then it would depend on if you want to go to big water or not. Big Water I’d be leaning toward Vermillion or Leech which are just a little over 3 hours, smaller lakes I’d look at Alexandria, Brainerd, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes or Ottertail County.

I would recommend Rainy Lake/VNP. Crappy cell service/off the grid. Lots of water. Hardly anyone around. You can get an RABC and Canadian fishing license so you aren’t restricted on where you fish, though there is plenty of water to fish on the US side. However, you’ll want a boat that can get places. A 14′ with a 20hp won’t cut it if you want to explore the lake. If you stay at a resort, I highly recommend Thunderbird. Sha-Sha is nice too, but it has a bit more of a night/bar scene that some people don’t like if privacy is important to you.

Our crew does 3 trips (opener,fall, winter) accommodations can ruin a trip faster than anything. Figure out the group size, make sure there’s good sleeping for everyone, enough parking to handle the number of rigs/boats, and a big kitchen table for eating/drinking/playing games. Don’t go expensive, what might be affordable to you might not for a friend (uncomfortable discussion) so someone mentioned Breezy Point, I’ll take the family, not the fishing crew. We’ve been doing this long enough that my buddies kids now come along and wouldn’t miss these trips for the world. Sad when one of the crew leaves us, my dad passed 2 years ago, the entire pew (and more) was filled with the fishing buddies, they are truly your best friends.

You are thinking backwards. Instead of seeking the resort / lake area first, find the buddies / family first and check their budget and how many days they can do. You will do a lot of work and the whole trip is going to blow up anyway. Lots of guys talk “fishing trip” but it’s always when their wife isn’t around.

Grand Marai area would be nice too. A lot of great inland walleye lakes that don’t get much pressure plus you have the town close by for friends/family to do some shopping if that is there thing. So many options for fishing to choose from in this State, hard to chose.

Dutchboy wrote:

You are thinking backwards. Instead of seeking the resort / lake area first, find the buddies / family first and check their budget and how many days they can do. You will do a lot of work and the whole trip is going to blow up anyway. Lots of guys talk “fishing trip” but it’s always when their wife isn’t around.

Fortunately, I’ve already got the crew figured out. Good group of guys with no attitude issues who love to fish and be around good people. So i’m covered there.

We’ve got a few lakes we’re considering now. I hadn’t thought of the Grand Marais area. Frankly I haven’t spent much time up that way and have no knowledge of those lakes at all. May have to do some research.

X2 on grand marais area. If open to camping it could be very inexpensive. Go inland a ways and you can’t go 10 ft without hitting another lake. You can have the real northwoods experience yet have a town right there. Little bit of a drive make sure you have a spare tire.