Where to Stay

I’m planning a trip to LOTW with my dad in mid-August. We usually go up to the NW Angle, but it will be a shorter trip this year. So we are going to fish the southern shore to save on some drive time. I’m looking at booking a cabin at Arnesen’s, Ballard’s or Sportsman’s Lodge. I’m open to other suggestions as well.

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding which place (Arnesen’s vs. Rainy River resorts) would offer the closest/best fishing? Any other pros/cons to staying at one vs the others?

I’m not a fan of Ballards. The cabin we stayed in reminded me of army barracks I used to stay in and had a fridge the size of a college dorm.
Wheelers has stepped it up a bit, you might try them out.

If you fished the Canada side of LOTW when you went to the angle, you might consider going to Morson. It will shave an hour off your drive time and no dirt roads. I always camp when I go there, but there are a lot of options. Red Wing, Mylies, Buena Vista etc. Otherwise I have nothing but good things to say about the folks over at Ballards should you decide to stay on the South shore.

We have had several good trips to Zippel Bay Resort. Have not been disappointed with the accommodations. And I like the location on the lake where you can fish the Long Point area or the South Shore area.

I have stayed at several of the resorts on the southern shore and Wheelers is my favorite. Very friendly people both the owners and guides.

Arnesens is a great place to stay. More low key then sportsmens. We like to fish the islands and reefs, the boat ride seems shorter from arnesens then the rainy river. I also like their boat harbor better.

Thanks for the input. I’ll call the resorts you guys mentioned and see what they have available.

Had a buddy just get back from Zippel Bay, said they hammered them.
However my experience with the Owners at Zippel was not pleasant when I was up hard water fishing.