Where to go? (Fishing trip)

I will be planning a fishing trip within the next year with my son. Kind of a graduate college / getting a career started / and back to school for more education celebration trip.

We are located about 45 miles SW of Chicago and take a yearly trip with family to the Leech lake area at the end of July. So I’m hoping to try new water.

We want to target walleye. Preferably larger fish as we catch and release unless the fish will not survive. Time of year doesn’t really matter and I would like to drive no more than 8-9 hrs one way as this would be a long weekend type trip. Just for reference, driving up to Leech is about 10.5hrs – 11hrs with minimal stops pulling my boat.

I have a ranger 620 so larger water is ok although I have not fished the Great Lakes yet.

I’m just looking for suggestions on locations and time of year so I can research and plan.

Green Bay Erie spring time

I take it your looking for a drive to resort? A 21′ boat on the Great Lakes may not feel as big as you think, you would definitely want calm weather.

Are you wanting to stay in the U.S.? If money was not an issue a Manitoba fly-in resort may have a great chance at record fish. Manitoba has been barbless catch-release for years.

Next would be a fly-in resort out of Red Lake Ontario. That’s pretty much the end of the road driving North. Then an hour in the air out from there is an epic adventure.

Of course there’s also drive to resorts in lower Ontario and LOW.

You could also target a particular species like lake trout, salmon or there was even a video posted here recently of catching Grayling in Colorado (I believe).

Ripjiggen wrote:

Green Bay Erie spring time

Those two will be on the list.Thanks

I think he was looking for 8-9hr drive for a long weekend. Yes the Great Lakes can get rough and could ruin a long weekend if it’s really blowing.

jwellsy wrote:

I take it your looking for a drive to resort? A 21′ boat on the Great Lakes may not feel as big as you think, you would definitely want calm weather.

Are you wanting to stay in the U.S.? If money was not an issue a Manitoba fly-in resort may have a great chance at record fish. Manitoba has been barbless catch-release for years.

Next would be a fly-in resort out of Red Lake Ontario. That’s pretty much the end of the road driving North. Then an hour in the air out from there is an epic adventure.

Of course there’s also drive to resorts in lower Ontario and LOW.

You could also target a particular species like lake trout, salmon or there was even a video posted here recently of catching Grayling in Colorado (I believe).

Calm water is good. Not as much of a risk taker as I use to be.

I would like to stay in the states as this will be a long weekend trip.

Canada is a future trip for sure. Maybe once number two graduates college.

Winnie is a nice lake. Check out high banks resort.

8-9 hours limits the northern MN lakes. Probably more like 11-12 pulling a boat that far. I would agree that Green Bay or Erie would be options.

With that boat I’d consider Lake of the Woods in June – it is further than you want to go but you would have a great time. Good resorts, good fishing.

Pool 4 of the Mississippi is an interesting choice. June is usually really good and you could also hit the other pools or the St Croix. Even get a guide for a half day to show you the river ropes. Challenge can be if we get a bunch of rain the rising water can slow fishing.

Mille Lacs is the obvious choice….about in your driving range and a phenomenal fishery.

If you can go with little notice I would watch the weather. If wind is OK head to Erie anytime from April 1st through June. You can get solid numbers of good fish and always a chance for a trophy. Only probably 6 hours or so.

Thanks for the suggestions. We look at them all and weight our options

Mike, have you ever heard of Put-In-Bay Ohio? It’s a little inhabited island in Lake Erie. It’s a huge resort destination (party) spot that is serviced by hydrofoil ferries out of Port Clinton and Sandusky. Years ago Put-In-Bay was ranked as the third best place to meet a new fling. Sandusky Ohio is also where Cedar Point roller coaster park is. So there’s plenty of stuff to do if the weather is too rough.The spring walleye aren’t huge, but the numbers are pretty good.The distance and cost may fit what you’re looking for.Very doable in a long weekend.

jwellsy wrote:

Mike, have you ever heard of Put-In-Bay Ohio? It’s a little inhabited island in Lake Erie. It’s a huge resort destination (party) spot that is serviced by hydrofoil ferries out of Port Clinton and Sandusky. Years ago Put-In-Bay was ranked as the third best place to meet a new fling. Sandusky Ohio is also where Cedar Point roller coaster park is. So there’s plenty of stuff to do if the weather is too rough.The spring walleye aren’t huge, but the numbers are pretty good.The distance and cost may fit what you’re looking for.Very doable in a long weekend.

I had not heard of this place. Thanks for the suggestion

Mike, have you ever heard of Put-In-Bay Ohio?

Your Son would probabaly love this place !!!

Mike West wrote:

Mike, have you ever heard of Put-In-Bay Ohio?

Your Son would probabaly love this place !!!

Just heard about it. My son was talking about bringing a college buddy or two.

MikeV wrote:

My son was talking about bringing a college buddy or two.

They could have an epic time there and the pressure would be off you to provide entertainment.

It’s been 20 years since I’ve been there. We usually stayed in an old 50’s style motel in Port Clinton, there’s plenty of options in the area. Staying right on Put-In-Bay would be awesome if you could find a place that’s reasonable. A lot of folks like to take their houseboats out there.

As for fishing, every morning the charter boat captains would all get on the marine band radio and work together finding fish. West of PIB there’s a power plant right on the lake. We usually wound up .5 – 1 mile straight North of that power plant. If you see 2 or 3 charter boats about 100 yards apart from each other I would slip in line with them about the same distance apart that they are and look for structure and fish.

jwellsy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>MikeV wrote:</div>
My son was talking about bringing a college buddy or two.

They could have an epic time there and the pressure would be off you to provide entertainment.

It’s been 20 years since I’ve been there. We usually stayed in an old 50’s style motel in Port Clinton, there’s plenty of options in the area. Staying right on Put-In-Bay would be awesome if you could find a place that’s reasonable. A lot of folks like to take their houseboats out there.

As for fishing, every morning the charter boat captains would all get on the marine band radio and work together finding fish. West of PIB there’s a power plant right on the lake. We usually wound up .5 – 1 mile straight North of that power plant. If you see 2 or 3 charter boats about 100 yards apart from each other I would slip in line with them about the same distance apart that they are and look for structure and fish.

I thanks for the suggestions.