minnesota walleye

[vicky]

I'm in charge of planning a fishing trip for my husband and I and his brother and son. I'm looking for suggestions for the best mid-size lakes in mid-central or mid-western Minnesota for the best "variety" fishing (crappie, bass, etc.) with the emphasis on walleye. We'll be going the first week in June. We've never fished Minnesota and it can be pretty overwhelming with so many choices. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

vicky

[Mike Frisch]

Vicky - as a former guide in the Fergus Falls/Alexandria area of western Minnesota I have several suggestions on where to go to find a variety of species of fish. You mentioned crappies and bass, it's hard to beat the Alexandria Chain Of Lakes for those species. There are several other lakes I could suggest. Feel free to drop me an email or give me a call and I can make some more suggestions.

Mike Frisch
Fishing The Midwest fishing team member
Elbow Lake, MN
(218) 685-4017
mgfrisch@runestone.net

[Mike Frisch]

Vicky - I failed to mention that "the chain" offers good walleye angling as well.

Mike Frisch

[almosthaddabite]

Mike, how is Lake Reno? I can't believe it could be as good as it was 30 years ago, but I will always remember the super fishing I had on that lake. Darling was about as good as it gets for walleyes through the ice back then.

[Mike Frisch]

almosthaddabite - Reno is still a very good lake. I don't know if it is as good as it was 30 years ago or not, but it is still very good. Winter anglers usually do well there for walleyes at early ice (In fact, I had maybe my best day ever on the ice there a couple of years ago). It also produces good numbers of walleye during the open-water season.
Darling is a lake I spend some time on every summer bass fishing. I don't know how good the walleyes are there now, though a partner and I caught a pair of 21-inchers on spinnerbaits in a bass tourney on Darling last summer. It is a dynamite bass lake as well.

Mike

[waterwolff]

It would be pretty tough to overlook the Brainerd lakes area. The Gull or Whitefish chain of lakes would be a good fit for you. Plenty of resorts to choose from and exceptionally diverse fisheries from either. Also excellent non fishing type recreational opportunities abound

[Box]

I spend a lot of time on Whitefish chain, and it is great chain of 14 lakes, from huge lakes to small 100 acre lakes. Very nice. Walleye to lake trout to pike to panfish, smallies and largemouth. Trolling, casting, drifting, bobber fishing all works fine.

One "minus" is that it does get very busy on weekends (thursday thru sunday morning). You can always get away from it, but it is very busy with jetskiis and some very big, fast boats. Come sunday afternoon, it gets beautiful :) I haven't spent time on Gull, but it is very similar, from what I hear.

If you would get a place on Whitefish (as opposed to a smaller lake) make sure you put your boat on a lift. It can get pretty rough. Make reservations early, it fills up fast, if not already. This is traditional MN "up north" vacation land. You expect to see Red Green at any time, but also tons of new SUV type crowd right in with rusted pickups ;)

There is also the Corp of Engineeers campground on the chain. Very nice facility right in city of Crosslake. And there is tons to do other than fishing.

I also like Alexandria area. Flatter land. I spend my hunting time out in this area, and fish just NW of there every year. There are some big fish in some of those lakes.

Good luck in your search! I hope you have a great visit!
-Box

[fishguy]

Vicki, give me a line and I'll give you all kinds of fishing options depending on your skill level and equipment. Some of the mentions on this thread so far are not for the inexperienced angler or someone that wants to wake up in the morning and hear Loons and not a Jet Ski!
I have a lot of experience as a fisherperson/guide in Minnesota. Something is fishy around here.

[bigeyes]

check www.northamericafishingreports.com

[JonN]

Vicki,
I'm a guide in central Minnesota and have some great lake/resort choices for you in the St. Cloud and Willmar area. Send me a PM and we can go from there. Jon
www.naviguides.com

[fishguy]

I'm a guide also and I live in St. Cloud, I would not recommend the St. CLoud area for easy quality lakes to fish without a guide. (I get the impression you and your husband do not want a guide. ) If you want a lot of good CLEAN lakes full of fish you should aim for Alexandria area lakes, Ottertail area lakes or Walker area Lakes, all of these areas are within 2-3 hours north of the twin cities. My "guide site" is under construction so here's my personal e-mail, joshandstacy@cloudnet.com
Something is fishy around here.