nice family resort in midwest

[Behr]

I should have mentioned this earlier; The Chetek chain of lakes has many resorts and a lot of family things to do (Ski Shows, resturants, golf (two courses), & public beach. And the lake, though *heavily* fished, continues to provide surprisingly good fishing for walleye, northern, and panfish. The lake is a rather green/algea lake (mid summer and beyond) which is the secret of it's productivity, IMHO, maybe 24 foot at the deepest. This lake can also be 'zoo-like' in the summer, especially around the 4th of July, but hey, the proxcimity you're willing to travel to, most all decent bodies of water are all going to be that way.

Chetek is about 50 miles above Eau Claire on hwy 53. It's about a 7 hour drive from Peoria. I grew up in Peoria, vacationing *every* summer in Chetek. Got thru 2 years at Manual, and ended up graduating from Chetek High School, so I know the area very well. I think you'd really enjoy it.

www.chetek.com

-Behr

I've been looking up the Chetek area and it looks promising. I'd be willing to travel 7 hours instead of the 5 hour max I was hoping if the atmosphere is that much better. Birchwood, Chetk and Hayward are the three areas I'm looking at for a few trips this summer. Birchwood is only 6.5 hours, Chetek is 7 and Hayward is 8. What do you know about the lakes around Birchood? or is Chetek that much better for the extra half hour?

[Behr]

Wiley,

I’m very partial to Chetek, not because I lived there, but because I vacationed there (from Peoria) for most of my childhood. There are many Peorians that vacation at Chetek, BTW. I don’t think you’d be disappointed, unless the weather really bites (more than the fish).

Don’t know much about Birchwood, except they have a nice GC, and Hayward has some things to offer as well ( little more ‘touristy’ in terms of souvenir shops).

If you’re looking for a Jammed packed weekend, you should visit Chetek over the 4th of July week… a lot of extra stuff going on, including a real nice art and craft show, street rod show, a couple street dances and a *great* beach party with the Dweebs (out of the twin cities - I’m sure some on WC could vouch for how good the Dweebs are, even though their name is quit nerdish).

Good luck, and let me know if you need any more info.

-Behr

If I do make Chetek the new family vacation spot, what resort would you recommend? Remember, I trying I'm trying to please a wife and three little kids and try and make it sound like its a not just a fishing trip. What's the best resort in the area? Is there just one main lake or many? Any suggestions?

I am heading up to Lake Namekagon this spring and it looks like a good fishing lake. Check out Lakewoodsresort.com They have a variety of things for the whole family. You are also close to Hayward, so the family can do some touristy things like take in a Lumberjack show, see Al Capone's hideout and hit the shops downtown (don't miss the homemade fudge).

Hope this helps
Wingmann

[Behr]

Did you try the resort guide on: http://chetek.net/resortfr.htm

Very helpful.

I have to tell you it’s been years since I’ve stayed at any resorts in the area. And the resort I went to as a kid only exists in my memory now.

I think I would recommend the following resorts though, if pressed, but you should still check out the site I posted…

Recommend (in no particular order):

*Shorewood
*Rainbows End
*Klay’s Happy days (Maybe too Quiet)
* Lazy Acres Resort


Let me know what you’re considering before you make reservations and I can at least let you know if I’d stay, or if I don’t know… there are a few I would probably not stay at (E-mail me).

Also, not all of the resorts are listed on this site. Next time I’m in Chetek, I will try and get the names of the couple of other resorts that I would recommend. (there’s one that I would recommend above all of these that I just can’t remember at the moment.) Not sure when that will be or if it will be in time for you to make a reservation.

-Behr

I think I found the perfect resort on the Chippewa Flowage. Can I get any feedback on the fishing on Chippewa Flowage????

The resort is called Pat's Landing. It's a newer resort right on the water with pool and the beach right there. It's a little longer to Hayward but it has the perfect resort. You can check it out at treelandresorts.com and let me know what you all think.

[Behr]

There ya go... looks good to me. The flowage is a great place to fish, but you can't troll, and I believe that also means trolling a jig around for walleye, but I'm not sure about that. Ask the resort owners when you call for reservations.

Good luck (hope there are openings still)!!

-Behr

Why in the world wouldn't they let you troll? You think ther is some type of trolling restriction on the lake?

[Behr]

A recent thread about it here:

http://tinyurl.com/7w8ua

-Behr