View Full Version : Help: Mille Lacs Trip 2003
Peanut
10-02-2002, 01:36 PM
My boss at work gave my wife and I a pretty cool wedding gift this summer: a 1 week stay at his timeshare, which can be exchanged for any one of hundreds of locations around the world.
We've been looking through the book describing the various resorts, and I saw that The Village at Izatys on Mille Lacs is one we can choose. My wife asked why Minnesota, when we can go to Fiji or someplace exotic. I explained the great fishing at Mille Lacs, and we can get there relatively cheaply (you don't just fly to Fiji at the drop of a hat), but she remains unconvinced.
First, she does not want to have to drive so that I can pull my boat. I assured here that we'd be able to find a way to get on the water without me taking the boat. Am I correct?
Also, is there enough other stuff to do there besides fishing? I mean, I could fish every day, but she - not so much. What is the resort like. The book makes all of them sound fantastic, but I'd rather hear it from someone who's seen it. Is it worth burning up a free timeshare week?
Finally, when would be the best time to go, factoring in weather, fishing, and other activities?
Thanks for your help guys.
derrek.
"I'll teach these eyes to see,
beyond these walls in front of me"
- Bruce Springsteen, "Trapped"
vikes40for60
10-02-2002, 01:49 PM
Derrek,
Izatys is a wonderful resort on Mille Lacs. It is the only full service 5 star resort on the big pond. Izatys is on the southside of Mille Lacs so you will have quick access to some of the southern walleye hot spot locations. Plus the smallie action on that end is wonderful.
As far as boat rental goes, that will be tough. Havent heard of too many places renting out boats. However, many launches on the southside that will take you out for a fishing trip. The weather is most stable in July. I was up the week after the 4th and it was 80-85 every day and only rained one night. Perfect!
If your wife is into golfing, shopping, or walking on some beatuiful sate parks you are within a 1/2 hour of each. Izatys has 36 awesome golf holes, Nisswa is only 30-45 minutes away for a wonderful shopping experience, and Father Hennepin State Park is just down the road. Dont forget, you can just relax!
I am not comparing Izatys to Fiji, but for me it would be worth it!
whitetips
10-02-2002, 02:00 PM
Those timeshares are not cheap between 1000-3000 a wk in first class
2 floored condos, cable too. Bring your boat or you could make arrangements to rent an outfit there with no problem. Money talks up there.
Also go to there website at izatys.com under marina for boat rental info
Been there many times and always launch paying customers there.
June1 to July 15th is best time.
Peanut
10-02-2002, 02:18 PM
$1,000-$3,000 - yikes. If it wasn't given to us, we wouldn't be staying there then. Will check out the marina to see about boat rentals.
derrek.
"I'll teach these eyes to see,
beyond these walls in front of me"
- Bruce Springsteen, "Trapped"
Fish_on
10-02-2002, 02:20 PM
Peanut, you can rent a boat at Eddy's and Nisswa is more like 1.5 hours or more from Izaty's. Let me know when you are coming and I'll help you out as much as I can. Spent 15 days on Mille Lacs last June.
Derrek,
That was very nice of your boss. Take her to Fiji or somewhere exotic. Does she really want to go to Mille Lacs or is it you? How often do you get the opportunity to do something like this? You can probably go to Mille Lacs any week of the summer. Go somewhere exotic and book a day on a charter to go fishing. She'll be able to tell her girlfriends for years to come about her trip to exotica land, but will she do the same for Mille Lacs.....? Just my opinion.
Best Regards,
FJH
After reading about your cross-country trips to pick up free stuff, I would go with Fiji! Yes, it's your honeymoon too, but something to consider: Women in Bikinis!!
On a serious note, I agree with the above post. I know it wouldn't even be a discussion with my wife which one she'd prefer and it isn't Mille Lacs. If Mille Lacs isn't too far of a drive, that is something you can do later. How often in your lifetime do you think a trip to Fiji is possible?
Congrats on the wedding! Best of luck to you and your new bride!
dustywaterwolf
10-08-2002, 11:01 AM
Derrek I work at EDDY's LAKE MILLE LACS RESORT and am also a professional walleye guide on the lake. Izaty's is a wonderful place. 2 beautiful 18 hole golf courses to choose from, one being a little more challenging than the other,they also have charter boat fishing and rental boats available there to. There are two state parks and two other 18 hole golf courses within 20 minutes of the place too. Brainerd lakes area is about a 45 minute drive and nisswa which is known for its shopping is about another 30 minutes north of brainerd. As to the time of year think of june (mid june.) The fishing is at its peak, world class walleye, musky and smallmouth all right here! The weather is beautiful and the temps are very comfortable (70's and 80's)
Here at EDDY's we are another one of the finer resorts on the lake. We are nationally known for our charter fishing service. Been in business since 1961 and are by far the biggest charter fishing service on the the lake with our yearly number of trips topping out at over 800 each year. We also have rental boats available and a guide staff that will cover any of the big three you may want to fish for.Our prices, to be very honest with you are probably going to be a little cheaper on most things than what you will find on things over at Izaty's (don't take that as a shot against them they just seem to be a little pricier over there, just being honest)
There are plenty of other things to do around here other than fish, but if fishing is going to figure in to the equation COME IN JUNE. I bet your wife would really enjoy catching 20 or more 22 to 27 inch walleyes on a four hour guided fishing trip. I am not trying to advertise for myself but if something like that interests you please call me to set up a date during your stay next summer at 1-320-532-3657 at EDDY's. (ask for the guide service or marina). Did I mention that Grand Casino Mille Lacs is located just a few miles from Izaty's too! Vegas gambling right in the heart of walleye country.
Custard
10-08-2002, 08:43 PM
This last post just goes to show who owns Eddys. If they had their way, Mille Lacs will be closed to white man next spring.
Although Mille Lacs is a wonderful lake with a wonderful fishery, there are lots of spots in the world with much more beautiful scenery. Take Figi for example, or the Swiss Alps, or New Zeland in the mountains, or Aruba -- Incidentally, if my wife and I were going to one of the islands - it would be Aruba. A wonderful island (owned by the Dutch - and very clean - lots to do.
Remember - this is a once in a life time experience - a honeymoon that is -- Make it memorable.
Take care and may your marriage be long and wonderful.
REW
slayer
10-09-2002, 06:17 AM
Be smart about this, don't go to Mille Lacs on your honey moon, your wife will always regret it. Also Eddys is owned by the same tribes that are responsible for the current debacle on the lake.
BlueFin
10-09-2002, 07:37 AM
My parents have a timeshare at Izaty's. It's nice but they have stayed at other 5 - Star resorts that have been much nicer. If you happen to be unlucky and end up with foul weather then your options are very limited. Very small indoor pool and a restauant that is slow at best. We have been there when we have been blown off the lake and it can get boring in a hurry unless you are a book reader. If you have an opportunity to go anywhere - go somewhere else. I wanted to go fishing in Alaska for my honeymoon and now I'm glad I didn't. I would still be hearing about it!
Don't patronize Eddy's or the Casino - tribal owned
Fshngyd
10-09-2002, 08:13 AM
All I have to say is don't do it Peanut, you will be setting yourself up for alot of grief down the road especially if even one thing goes wrong on the Mille Lacs trip. Even if nothing does go wrong, she will always have it in the back of her mind how you beat her out of her exotic trip to go fishing, then you will end up having to take her on another exotic trip on your dollar to keep the peace. Let her decide where she would like to go, your life will be less complicated and she will probably feel bad enough for you that she will give you permission to go on that Mille Lacs trip next year.
A similar thing happened to myself this year, we are going to the Florida Keys in February and when I mentioned going fishing 3 of the 6 days we will be there it got ugly quick! The funny thing is she loves to fish but does not want to spend her time in a place like that fishing, so I backed of a little and she is now coming around to at least a couple of days fishing :P.
Good luck on your decision Derrek, but remember it is her vacation/honeymoon also, so just have fun on whatever trip you decide. If you do go somewhere other than Mille Lacs never show regret or dissatisfaction with the decision, she will beat you like a rented mule and treat you like a redheaded stepchild thereafter, don't be a statictic!!
Peanut
10-09-2002, 08:36 AM
Guys, thanks for all the input. Many of you gave voice to my own "little voice" that told me this was not what we were gonna do. And, you're probably right - even if she agrees to go, it'll be viewed as being for me, not us. I'd still love to try Mille Lacs, but it will be another time, or next at least on out own ticket. No point raising expectations to the unattainable by sticking a honeymoon tag on the trip.
So, REW, what can you tell us about Aruba - that is also in our book. The place is lovely, obviously, but I didn't know what was there to do other than the beach.
And guys, there's no benefit to attacking the guide from Eddy's that posted a fair and helpful response. I know the problems are real - the same ones exist where I come from too. But, no problem will be solved when we can't even communicate with each other.
Thanks again,
derrek.
"I'll teach these eyes to see,
beyond these walls in front of me"
- Bruce Springsteen, "Trapped"
JUSTIN WINTER
10-09-2002, 11:19 AM
I AM A WALLEYE FISHING GUIDE WHO LIVES AT OUR TOWNHOUSE AT IZATYS FROM EARLY MAY UNTIL NOVEMBER. IZATYS IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT. TWO 18 HOLE GOLF COURSES,POOL, TENNIS COURTS,AND THIER OWN LAUNCH SERVICE. BRAINERD IS NOT TOO FAR AWAY EITHER. AS FOR THE TIME OF YEAR- MID JUNE TO MID JULY. ITS THE WARMEST WEATHER AND THE NICEST TO BE OUTSIDE. WALLEYE FISHING IS FABULOUS. AS OF TODAY,I'VE SPENT 96 DAYS ON THE WATER AND HAVE BOATED 1549 WALLEYES WITH 15 OF THOSE OVER 28 INCHES. EARLY SUMMER IS BEST FOR QUANITY AND MID-LATE SUMMER IS BEST FOR QUALITY. IF YOU COME TO IZATYS FOR VACATION, GIVE A CALL.MY RATES ARE FAR MORE RESONABLE THAN OTHERS. 612-669-9452.
Marbli
10-09-2002, 01:58 PM
I have been happily married for 32 years. I have fished most of my life including Mille Lacs. Let you wife decide where this trip should be. You will have many more chances to fish during your married life if start off on the right foot!