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Road trip help!

3K views 20 replies 17 participants last post by  meats52 
#1 ·
My dad and I have been planning on a Canadian fishing trip for a decade now. Always something we talk about but never followed through. Last year, however, we vowed to make a trip but in the US. Anyone have locations in the states they like/would suggest for us? We love fishing walleye, largemouth and smallmouth. Was thinking Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. or does everyone head south? Please post the location and time of year you guys prefer!

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Do you have your own boat to use? What kind/size is it, or do you plan on relying on an outfitter? Do you have a camper/camping equipment or do you need a place to stay?

Actually might be cheaper just over the border as the exchange rate is favorable... like just across the border at Int Falls.
 
#3 ·
We went to Leach Lake in Minnesota a few years ago. Actually, we went twice. Its big, around 20 miles X 23 miles. Up pretty far into the state. We stayed at Pikedale Lodge and rented a cabin. There were 6 of us. Its at the Southeast side of the lake. Great people and lots of help. Because its about 1000 from Austintown, we rented two boats. Reasonably priced. Lots of pike and rock bass. The rockbass were around 9"-12" and there were tons of them. Caught a few walleye and bass and crappie. Also, one of the guys hooked something that we were told was a type of freshwater cod. Couldn't get it into the boat as he didn't set his drag right and when it decided to take off, it snapped the line. From what we saw and reported to the owner of the lodge, he estimated the weight at around 40 lbs.

We would still be going up there but the distance thing is crazy since one of our crew lives in Alabama, and 4 of us live in Ohio. Lots of good lakes closer to here.
 
#4 ·
I stayed at Big Bear Resort in Benton Ky about 20 years ago and had a blast catching largemouth and hybrid bass. I got a fisherman's cabin and 14ft or 16ft boat with a 9.9 motor all in a package deal. Just read the reviews of the place and not so good comments but it wasn't like that when I was there. Also Benton Ky is a dry town so B.Y.O.B or drive 45 minutes to buy alcohol if you that's your thing. I'm in the same boat I want to take the second week in September and go out of state and get a cabin and do some fishing and relaxing.....Rich
 
#5 ·
I have been going to Ontario Canada since I was 6 months old a 6 to 7 hour ride from warren oh. balsam and Cameron lakes put you in some of the best large mouth small mouth walleye muskie fishing around. just look up those lakes and you will find a place to stay very reasonable
 
#6 ·
Check out voyagaire. It’s a lodge in Voyageurs National Park. We are tentatively planning to make it back there this year for another houseboat trip. They have a lodge, rental homes, various different fishing/pleasure boats and houseboats. As well as any and all accoutrements you could ever need. (Last trip we had beer, scotch, cigars, live bait, and lobsters delivered to us at our houseboat!) fishing is tremendous- huge smallies, monster pike, and more walleye than you could possibly eat in one trip! All the comforts of home while not sacrificing any seclusion or pristineness... and you don’t have to cross the border but they are boundary waters so you could if you wanted
 
#7 ·
Thanks I appreciate the comments. I have a small 14 foot Lund and only an 8 horse motor so I would probably rent a boat. Obviously I have heard of the golden stories of Canada but didn’t know if crossing the border was the only way to get some good action.
 
#8 ·
That's the perfect boat for where my son and I go in Canada. 15 years in a row now. Several remote lakes you can launch your boat on and they are full of smallies, walleye and pike.
If you change your mind and decide on Canada let me know and I will get you some good info
 
#9 ·
nothing better than to catch a scrappy smallmouth or a nice eater walleye from cold northern water... that cold water makes for the best eating fish...

Your boat size would be nearly perfect for many small lakes close to or over the border... the ramps can be pretty primitive for larger boats... the fishing tends to be less run and gun and more check this spot, then check a little further down to find out where they are schooled up... often the best spot is within 100 yards of where you put in... BEST fishing I ever did, day in and day out was near Sioux Lookout ON on Lac Suel and other area lakes... all were fantastic but each lake was known for different species in different areas of the lake... trout, muskie, pike smallys, walleye... just had to ask at the baitshop or hire a guide for a day or two to find what you were looking for. Of course you don't catch tons of fish every day... but 4 times out of 5 you would catch more fish in an hour or two then you woud catch in a day of fishing in Ohio and surrounding area.

Did you think about Lake St Clair? not too far and some great fishing
 
#14 ·
Last time I fished LOTW was about 5 yrs ago. Went 12 yrs in a row and I can honestly say, IMO, it is THE best lake in North America for Muskie and fabulous for walleye, smallmouth and pike. Used to stay at Flag Island. I miss that lake so bad but it is a 22 hr drive. My fav hands down!!
 
#11 ·
I'm driving down to Florida tonight for a week of camping and fishing at Stick Marsh/Farm 13, Kennansville and Garcia and surrounding areas. We been going there since the mid-90's. Periodic hurricanes change the area every so often. Apparently the hurricane last fall shredded all the trees in the area we pitch our tent so there won't be any shade for us this year. Big bass (catch and release only at Stick Marsh), bull gills and crappie in some of the back areas if it's too windy for the main lakes (lots of pics in my gallery from many past trips).
 
#13 ·
Not sure if it is still true, but at one time you could not motor troll on Class A lakes in Wisconsin. It's been many years since I fished up there though so rules may have changed.
 
#15 ·
Here you go...
Beautiful cottages, plenty of eager northern pike and bass The yellow perch are everywhere too! Secluded, with docks for your use. Launch at Dewolf Point State Park motor across the lake to the cottages and leave the boat in the water while you visit. Because of the location off of the river and the shoreline acting as a windbreak, you will be able to fish regardless of wind speed or direction. Access to the main river (St. Lawrence) is close, easy and safe. Plenty of things to do other than fish. Kids can swim off of the docks.

Check out this website for area attractions:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...and_State_Park-Wellesley_Island_New_York.html

Check this for information on Thousand Island Park:
http://www.tiparkcorp.com

Contacts for the cottages:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17236062
https://www.facebook.com/pinepointcottages/
 
#20 ·
Ely Minnesota...Boundary waters.. fishing is the exact same as you would find a few miles north in Canada... and no passports or canadian laws to follow...we stayed with an outfitter called LaTourell’s .. very nice people, cabin, boat,gas,bait all supplied... and affordable. And if you get tired of fishing... Superior National forrest is right there... awesome hiking!
 
#21 ·
Back in the 80's, before I was married, my buddies and I used to go to Lake Vermillion in Minnesota. We stayed at Vos resort. Our cabin was right on the lake and we had our own dock. We rented our boats there. If I remember right about the last 5 miles were gravel road so it was pretty much in the wilderness. The closest town was Cook which I think was about a 1/2 hour drive. Great walleye, pike and bass fishing. There were days when we just sat on the dock, with a few beers, and caught fish. We went 10 years in a row then I guess that we all got tired of making the 19 hour drive so we quit going.
 
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