Northern Minnesota Honeymoon

Hey all, I’ve been a reader of this forum for awhile and finally decided it’s time to join! I grew up in Iowa, went to college at SDSU and lived out in central SD for a few years (Missouri River ), and have now lived in the cities for 1.5 years .

I somehow got lucky enough that my will-be wife wants to take a honeymoon up north and do nothing except fish, relax, and do that other thing that newly weds do….. Any ideas on what lakes to look at for mostly walleye and northern?

I’m an average fisherman, my dad has a 18′ Crestliner Phantom 125 hp that I have somewhat adopted over the years (I guess I’ve kinda become his fishing guide?) that I’ll be able to use, I’ve got some electronics, gps, etc. Since we will only have about 2-3 days and tight funds, I don’t really want to pay for a guide. But I also don’t want to spend days learning how to fish LOTW or some big body of water and then finally figure it out when we have to leave already. I feel like somewhat smaller lakes are a little easier to learn for short trips sometimes.

My grandparents have a cabin on Woman Lake near Longville, but we are looking for something different. I’ve fished Leech & Winnie a few times over the years, but those are the only big bodies of water that I’ve been on. I was looking at Vermillion maybe? (I know, it’s fairly big and said no big ones…) What lakes would you recommend? I’m even up to a smaller thousand acre lake that is secluded or not hit hard that may produce fish (maybe PM me on those?). Just in the early stages of planning here and looking to put together a few lake ideas and then look for a cabin rental from there.

What time of the year? Congrats on finding someone with a fishing passion.

2-3 days, limited funds, average fisherman, no guide. Hmm, while it’s certainly possible to find a lake and do quite well, it will also be possible you may not figure it out in time, especially for walleye and northern.

I’d push you toward Vermillion or Red. Vermillion will be tough to figure out, but the scenery there is fantastic. Big rock formations, pine trees right to the waters edge, etc.

Red you should be able to figure out in 2-3 days but there’s not a ton of decent lodging there. Might be tough on the relaxation and what newlyweds do part of the trip.

Expanding fish species to crappie or bass may help with the catching part of it all, especially in say July/August.

ET

Sorry, I forgot to post the dates. Late May, so not a bad time for fishing!

Scenery is a plus, might even look into doing more of a canoeing trip in BWCA. Never been there before. Just seeing what everybody has to say for a good location up north for a weekend with decent fishing! I might try Leech to, just cause I have fished it a handful of times and at least have some starting points to fish from.

I would highly recommend Vermillion or Rainy. Both have fantastic scenery that is quite similar to BWCA, but you have the benefit of restaurants available and fishing out of a real boat. Don’t be intimadated by the big lakes, I’ve never had to venture to far away from camp on either to catch fish.

Voyeugers National Park is stunning as far as scenery with world class fishing and many options as far as lodging. There are fantastic campsites that would free up some funds for other things. Midweek deals on cabins can be fairly affordable as well. That time of year the Walleye fishing will be pretty predictable and you sould have it dialed in fairly quickly.

Congrats on the pending marriage and welcome to IDO!

Gunflint Lodge on the gunflint trail. THey offer guides or there are plenty of guides in the area. The Honeymoon package includes a boat and motor. They also offer nature activities and horse back riding. My wife honeymooned there and have been back several times. http://www.gunflint.com

I should say my wife and I honeymooned. I was with her

Ohhhh, I thought this was gonna be an Ole and Lena joke

Vermilion you can stay at Fortune Bay Casino. They have a great marina right on the property. Fish when you want, gamble if you want, play if you want.

Rainy has plenty of motels and you can also snag a cabin that time of year if you like. If you can swing it a houseboat would be a nice way to remember the occasion.

First thing is pick a place and lock it in, then come back I’m sure somebody will give up a spot or two as a wedding gift.

Congratulations!!

watch the episode of ido on lake of the woods i bet its still great fishing best of luck

I am in the same boat as you with a lady that loves to be on the water. We are getting married at the end of july and then heading to LotW. We are staying at Witchbay Camp. Its in Canada but only an hour or so, its south of Souix Narrows. I too was worried about needing to figure out a bite, but I was recommended this place by a good friend that has been going there for the last 7 years. Its an all inclusive fishing package. And they have guides on staff at camp you can take out for no extra charge and they always know what the bite is doing so you get on fish fast. Here is the site. Check it out. The end of July can’t come soon enough for me!
http://www.witchbay.com/

Opener into mid June on Vermilion typically has a real good bite. Bigger fish have been more common too.

My wife’s family has a cabin on vermillion I was a avid bass fisherman but I spend a lot of time fishing rivers for walleyes in red wing and the st.croix this past year I started trolling hard and found good fish. When we went to vermillion I trolled like a mad man and found limits everyday. Troll the islands in daisy bay and you’ll catch fish. If not skip the docs for giant smallies. Then bang all night . Lol enjoy.

Hard to beat the voyaguer national park area. Been going to Kabetogama the last couple springs in mid may and always have a blast. Hardest thing has been finding eyes small enough to keep, no shortage of bigger ones. Lots of islands and pinic sites too for having a mid day shore ‘lunch’.

I would be staying on lake Seally Posturpedic.

i’ll second kabetogama. went there on my honeymoon. she caught more walleyes than i did…
nice cabins.

Here’s a vote for Big Lake north of Ely on the Echo Trail. There are a couple of very nice resorts there: two of my buddies honeymooned there, and one of the couples is even still married! Plenty of walleyes, smallies, and pike, especailly that time of year. You can take day trips into the BWCA (so romantic)
Give them a call. http://www.biglakelodge.com/

Take a look at Portage Lake. Located just off Hwy 2 between Winnie and Leech. 1600 acres. Should be good fishing for eyes that time of year. Always good perch action, with sorting you can have some good eats. Crappie could be questionable that time of year but gills maybe good. The resort is Iowawana Beach and talk to Brad. Tell him Todd Geerdes told him about the place and he will take care of you. We have gone there for two weeks a year for 7-8 years. I live in Brandon and my son graduated from SDSU with a Pharmd degree and now lives in Rice Lake, WI. Let me know if you have any other questions. Go Jacks! The eye in my profile pick was a CPR on that lake.

Hungry Jack Lodge. http://hungryjacklodge.com/

Vermilion is a awesome lake. It’s a huge lake, but fishes a lot smaller with all the bays it has.

http://www.kettlefallshotel.com/index.html

Supper cool place….darn good fishing!

Thanks for all the replies guys! I had not considered Kabetogama at all but I’m going to look hard at that lake now. If I get some free time after work tonight I will try to look through all the links you provided. Looks like some pretty cool places so far, so thank you!

Duluth, that is where my wife and I went for our honeymoon. Very good selection of hotels, very good selection of restaurants, alot to see in the area. We were there during the 87 world series so all the bars were rocking during the games. Duluth has no off season there is something going on all year long.

Late May…I’d highly recommend Rainy Lake. Late May and early June are my all time favorite times to fish that lake. There are some resorts there to consider. I personally do the camping thing, and my wife loves it too. I’ve never had poor fishing and I have no problem finding fish.

Camping in Voyageurs NP now requires a fee and reservations if that is an option. It’s a great time with fantastic scenery. Like mentioned, Kettle Falls Motel is there for a meal and housing.

Heck, I’ll give you advice and spots for huge pike, walleyes and smallies.

The Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods. If you’re concerned with finding fish don’t be…..find any fishy looking piece of structure and there will be fish there. Awesome scenery, and great fishing!

I would second Vermillion, Northwest Angle, or a BWCA trip. If you need any help planning for Vermillion or a BWCA trip send me a pm and I’ll help any way I can.