Family / Fishing Resort

[Jim]

I have again been put in charge of finding the ultimate resort for our family fishing trip in 2002. I am looking for a place in northern MN with the following: a very nice beach, playground for kids, clean cabins, room for 5 families, and of course decent walleye/panfish fishing. We have tried numerous resorts and can't seem to find a place that we want to go back to. If we find a place with fish, the cabins and resort grounds are poorly maintained and if the cabins are great the fishing is lousy. My main goal is to keep the kids (ages 5-18) happy with activities(this of course includes having them catch fish). I would greatly appreciate any info that might help me out. You can email me if you like or post it. Thanks

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-04-01 AT 11:30AM (CST)[p]I'll heartily recommend the White Eagle Resort on Lake Vermilion. They have a nice beach, playground, free use of water toys (including one of the big floating "Rave" platforms, kayaks, paddle boats, etc.). The grounds a well maintained, and all cabins are in beautiful settings among pines and birches.

Their cabins are excellent -- my wife and I treat our kids/grandkids (24 of us in all -- kids range from 2 through 15-year-old) to a week each summer. Some of the cabins are new construction (check out http://www.whiteeagleresort.com/htmls/timberjay.html), and some are modernized older cabins, but even the finickiest Mom will be pleased with any of them. We have stayed in a *lot* of resorts over the years, but since we discovered White Eagle 4 years ago, it has become our only choice. Best of all, their rates are LESS than most others on the lake -- go figure! Mike and Bonnie Lantry (the owners) and their kids are congenial hosts and truly become your friends, and work hard to make sure every detail of your stay is first-class. The resort has the usual amenities (bait, gas, bread/milk/juice/eggs, small tackle shop, laundry, sauna, free loan of life jackets, pleasant un-smelly fishhouse, etc.). Mike keeps several good rental boats plus a pontoon available if you need an extra craft or two. Phone them at (800)542-0365 for a brochure, and use my name if you wish.

There's a golf course minutes away, the town of Cook is about 10 minutes away with two supermarkets, Churches, McDonalds, good bait/tackle stores, small hospital if God-fobid needed, etc. Good sit-down restaurant about 5 minutes from the resort to give the ladies a break from cooking.

Lake Vermilion, besides being one of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota, is an excellent fishery, and White Eagle is in a quiet bay on the west end of the lake with great walleye, smallmouth, northern, and muskie spots within a few boat-minutes from your dock.

You're gonna think you died and went to heaven! :-)

Hans

PS: I am only a customer, so gain nothing from bragging this way!

[cisco]

Sound to me as if Brindley's Harbor Resort on Leech Lake would be ideal for your group. The only problem might be booking. It is a popular spot, so they might be booked already. Walker, MN Chamber of Commerce has a website, so it shouldn't be too tough to find an address -- I'm too lazy right now to dig one out. They do advertise in Outdoor News, also.

Good luck.

[Tom]

Also check out Bailey's Resort on Leech Lake at www.baileysresort.com . Nice clean cabins, quiet bay, lots for kids and a great fishing lake!

[mnjimcarp]

Bailey's resort on leech lake!!!

very nice owners. great family place. call and talk to dana. they have a website.

[Wile E.]

Its not up north, but its about 100 miles west of the cities (twin). The family has been going there for 5 or 6 years now and never been disappointed. Go to www.islandviewresort-nestlake.com and check it out. Al will bend over backwards to make you happy and thats the truth. Go-carts/mini-gulf/water-park within 3 min from the resort for the kids and so quit at the resort for the grown-ups that it might scare you till you get use to it. when we get ready to leave for home every year I'm counting the days till we go back.

[Dodge1]

Strong second on Brindley's Harbor Resort on Leech Lake. As cisco indicated the only problem is that they get booked solid very early each year, which only goes to show you just how popular the resort is, especially for families.

Here is a link to their web site.

http://www.brindleysharbor.com

[Buzz]

For the last six years I have taken my family to Bowen Lodge on "Big Winnie" near Deer River. Bowen's is an excellent place for the family; swimming beach, playground, arcade and the works. They even have a camp coordinator that has non-stop activities for the kids. The fishing is excellent, especially the walleyes and perch. It's pretty hard to take the kids out and not catch a pile of perch. Bill and Gail Heig are top notch hosts. They can be reached at www.northernnet.com/bowendg or by phone at 800-331-8925. Like most good resorts, they fill-up pretty fast.

[Shawn MN,]

Jim
Walker MN. is a wonderful place to take your family. Lots to do in town including the moondance ranch which has water slids and petting zoo and gocarts!! We have been staying at Spirit of the North resort for 7 years. Tim and Sue are the owners and run a very family friendly resort. Kids stuff to do all day, nice swim area and some of the best rental boats on Leech lake. Nice protected harbor and swim raft ect. Have caught some of the nicest walleyes right out front. Cabins are like checking into your own. Very modern and clean. It feels like your staying in your own cabin. Boat gas and bait at your finger tips and nice boat ramp. Play grounds and pony rides right at the resort. Nice main lodge and indoor swimming pool. My boys 3 & 5 love it there. Tim and Sue have young kids of there own so they understand the need to keep kids intertained.

The fishing is very good and there are protected bays very close to pan fish in and to get out of rough water if need be.

They can be reach at 1-800-516-0077.

Great place, great people I am sure you would enjoy your stay.
Good luck

Keep your line tight

Shawn

[bill]

We, my family, have been going to Broadwater Lodge located on Broadwater Bay at Woman Lake for 20+ years. You won't regret it. www.broadwaterlodge.com.

[Rigger]

Bowen Lodge is the ultimate Family resort the fishing is good there is non stop activities for the kids very clean. Bill and Gail run a A-1 resort cant wate to get back up there this year.
check them out http://www.bowenlodge.com/welcome.shtml

Rigger

[Hammerhead Herb]

I have to second what Hans is saying. Our group has been going to the White Eagle for the last 5 years and have really enjoyed those folks. We will be leaving from N. Central Ill again this year for a week starting on 6/16.
Hans, if you are going to be in the area, look us up. We will be staying at the Eagle Nest or just ask Mike or Bonnie where the Navy guys are staying.