MN Trip - Kabetagama, Winnie, or ...

[Kevin B]

My wife and I have fished all over MN (and lots of other states) for walleyes. We've been to Lake of the Woods-NW Angle, Crane Lake, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Brainerd, Gunflint Trail, and then some. We are planning out a trip for mid-june and early October. For the June trip, we are considering Winnibigoshish or Kabetagama. Our fall trips are usually to Alex or Fergus because we've made so many friends there. As you can tell,we like trying out new lakes. We FISH while on vacation. We don't care about jacuzzi's, cable TV (in fact no TV is okay with us), lounges, tennis, golf, swimming beaches, casinos, and the like. We have no children. We cook our own meals. We don't care about trophy size fish, we always release walleyes over 3 pounds or so. We like numbers of fish rather than big fish. We usually hire a guide for the first day to learn the water.

While I'm sure we will eventually fish both lakes, which would you select, Winnie or Kabetagama, for a trip around Father's Day?
Also, some "no frills" lodging suggestions would be appreciated.- Kevin & Kathy

If it's such a basic, no frills trip you want, why not go out of Ely or the Gunflint into the BWCA? Plenty of good outfitters -- all you need is your tackle and clothing. They supply the rest.

[Kevin B]

Cisco - As I mentioned, we have fished Gunflint Trail/Quetico (Saganagons, Saganaga, etc.) and BWCA areas (Crane Lake, Namakan). We enjoy fishing new areas. MN is a wonderful state as you can travel 75 miles and the terrrain is completely different.
Crane Lake is a little pricey, but not outrageous. We stayed at Anderson's and loved it. No TV, no jacuzzi, etc. Just very friendly folks, knowedgeable about the fishing area, really quiet cabin, beautiful weather in late June.
We love the people in Alex at Lake Reno and have had them as guests at our place in NM a few years back. Reno is "no frills." Local TV channel and that's about it. Friendly folks, good card players, excellent fishing guides.

Hope you have a good opener!! - Kevin B

Kevin, I would suggest going to Winnie on that trip. I do business in the Lake Kabetogama area and I know that it can be pretty poor fishing during that time of the year and I know that Winnie can still be good that early in the year. Although, usually, the earlier the better. I know last year that Winnie was just starting to slow down about that time last year, but, still was pretty good. For more info on Kabetogama you could call Jim or Jay at a place called The Bait and Bite. It is a bait store/restaurant that I do business with only about a mile from Kab. I do not have the phone number, but, it is in a town called Ray in Mn if you wanted to call information and get the number. They are good honest folks. Good luck to you and your wife.

Matt Phelps
Phelps Tackle Company

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Kevin & Kathy,
I run a guide service primarily on Winnie, I also have done trip's to Leech and Vermillion. Any of these lakes can be good this time of year. I would suggest Winnie. It is not that far from Leech should you want to trailer over there for a day. You did not mention if you would be willing to camp. It can be hard to get a resort cabin now as they fill fast. I do know of one place that has pretty much just sleeping room's but its not on the Lake, it's about 7 miles from a good landing on Cut Foot, which is connected to Winnie. Send me an e-mail if you would like more info. Catch A Big One! - Tom