13 Best Fishing Resorts in Minnesota for Catching the Big Ones (2023)
Are you looking to visit some of the best fishing resorts in Minnesota to drop a line and see what you can catch?
Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and it’s no surprise that fishing it a popular pastime for many locals.
Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, there’s something for everyone when it comes to fishing in Minnesota.
From the pristine waters of Lake Vermilion to the rugged shores of Lake Mille Lacs, there are resorts scattered around some of the best lakes in the state.
Booking a stay at one allows you to get out and fish, but also have a nice place to stay and relax at when you return from your day on the water.
I’m a Minnesota local who has traveled all over the state in search of the best lakes and places to visit, and I’m here to share the best resorts for fishing in the state! Let’s go!
Best Fishing Resorts in Minnesota
1. Northern Lights Resort
Location: Kabetogama
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass
Northern Minnesota offers some of the very best fishing, which is why Northern Lights Resort in Kabetogama is one of the best places to visit!
Located nearly across the Canadian border, within a close distance of Voyageurs National Park, this resort offers access to Kabetogama Lake.
They have a private bay and harbor where you can dock your boat, or you can rent a boat from them rather than bringing your own.
You can catch all sorts of fish from your boat, but the most commonly caught are walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, perch, and crappie.
And if you’re not wanting to head out into the water but still want to catch some fish, you can fish right from the dock!
Several of the cabins have their own private dock, and there is also a large dock system near the main lodge.
You can also find gas and bait offered dockside, so you don’t have to go anywhere to stock up on everything that you’ll need for a great day on the water!
Top Features:
- Private bay and harbor for docking
- Boat slips included with each cabin
- Free fish cleaning
- Concrete boat ramp on-site
- Boat rentals available
2. River Point Resort
Location: Ely
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass
This fantastic Minnesota fishing resort with boat rentals is located towards the end of Birch Lake near Ely, just outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Booking a stay here for your fishing trip will put you within close access to some of the best fishing in the state!
Because of its location, you’ll have access to the Kawishiwi River, as it joins Birch Lake at the northern end of the lake.
While you’re out fishing, you’re bound to catch at least a few walleye. The lake hasn’t been stocked in over 20 years, but there are still plenty to catch, even without stocking!
You’ll also find northern pike, crappies, and smallmouth bass to be pulling on your line, not too long after you’ve dropped it in!
The lake is surrounded by a total wilderness shoreline of dense trees, which is rare to find. But being so close to the BWCAW, this is what you’ll find up in Ely!
Along with getting out on the water on a boat, either your own or rented, you can fish right from the dock near the cabins.
Top Features:
- Fishing packages offered
- Free fish cleaning
- Boat rentals available
- Two fish cleaning facilities
3. Cut Foot Sioux Resort
Location: Deer River
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Panfish
Whether you’re hunting for a record-breaking muskie, a giant walleye, or just some panfish to cook up for dinner, you’ll find it at Cut Foot Sioux Resort.
Just outside of Deer River and only a short distance from Grand Rapids, this beautiful resort offers easy access to three great fishing lakes; Cut Foot Sioux Lake, Little Cut Foot Sioux Lake, and Lake Winnibigoshish.
A variety of popular fish can be found in the three lakes, including walleye, muskie, and northern pikes.
Spring is the best time of year to catch a walleye here, so if that’s what you’re after, plan a spring fishing trip!
Grab whatever you need from their bait shop, including tackle, live bait, and gas for your boat before heading out into the water.
After you’ve returned from your trip, head over to the fish cleaning facility where you can bring your day’s catch and prepare your fish.
If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent one right from the resort, and take advantage of their private docking and boat ramp.
Top Features:
- Private boat ramp and docking
- Protected harbor
- Fish cleaning house with freezer space
- Boat rentals available
4. Chase on the Lake
Location: Walker
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Muskie
From fantastic ice fishing to cruising on the boat in the middle of summer, Chase on the Lake makes a great base camp for a fishing trip.
Leech Lake has long been considered one of the top fishing lakes in Minnesota, for everything from walleye to northern pike to sunfish.
With nearly 200 miles of shoreline and over 100,000 acres of water to cover, there’s no doubt that you’ll catch at least a few on your trip!
Leech Lake was actually named the ‘Muskie Capital of the World’ after a muskie rampage back in the 1950s, and now has even more to catch!
Shallow bays, deep water, and shallow water are just a few of the features that fishermen and women will find on their visit.
Boat rentals are available if you don’t have your own, and guided Leech Lake fishing tours are available at certain times of the year.
And being just a short distance from Walker allows you to head into town and check out all that the small town has to offer!
A stay at Chase on the Lake during the fishing season will surely bring you the luck and great fishing that you need! Plus, some of the rooms are pet-friendly to bring a furry friend along.
Top Features:
- Fishing guides
- Boat rentals available
- Year-round lodging and fishing
5. Sportsman’s Lodge
Location: Baudette
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Sturgeon
Lake of the Woods has often been called one of the top fishing destinations in the entire state with world-class walleye, so a visit to Sportsman’s Lodge will be a treat.
Located in Baudette, along the southern shores of Lake of the Woods, right where Rainy River meets the lake, provides you with access to this massive lake, which drifts into Canada.
No matter the season that you’re wanting to fish, you can catch everything from walleye and sauger to lake sturgeon throughout the year.
Lake sturgeon are Minnesota’s largest fish, and the best place to catch them is in Lake of the Woods and Rainy River! My dad and brother have been up here several years and have always had great luck!
One top feature of this resort is that they offer really great fishing charters, so you can head out on the water with experienced fishing guides.
There also is a fish cleaning house available, so you can prepare your fish to be brought home or cooked up for dinner.
Top Features:
- Ice fishing sleeper houses available for rent
- Guided fishing charters
- Dock slip rental available
- Fish cleaning house
6. Little Winnie Resort
Location: Deer River
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch, Crappie
On the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish, otherwise known as Lake Winnie, this small resort will give you the perfect feel of the Minnesota Northwoods.
It’s open year-round and is the perfect base camp for all of your boat fishing and ice fishing needs, on one of the state’s best lakes.
You’ll actually be within close distance of two lakes, the large Lake Winnie, and Little Winnie Lake, both great for fishing.
Everything from small crappies to giant muskies roams the waters of these two lakes.
Boat rentals are available if you don’t have your own, and you can also book a fishing guide to show you the best corners of the lake.
You can also choose to just fish right from the dock because you’re still bound to catch something to show off either way!
The resort also has a great campground, so if you’d rather experience more of the wilderness, pitch a tent and stay the night!
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Private boat ramp
- Docking space
- Fishing guides available
7. Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort
Location: Deerwood
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort is located along the northeastern shores of Bay Lake, which is just a short distance from Lake Mille Lacs.
From boat rentals to golf, this small resort has everything that you’ll need for a fun time.
Fishing is of course the best activity during your stay, and you can actually book a guided fishing trip if you want some tips from the pros.
The knowledgeable local guides will be able to direct you to the best possible places to catch fish to make sure that you come back with more than you thought you would.
Northern pike are the most common fish to catch here as they roam the lake in large numbers, but you may also find species like walleye and bass.
Bay Lake has over 2,000 acres of land that it covers, and is one of the best places for fishing in the Brainerd Lakes area.
This is the closest resort near the Twin Cities, so if you’re looking to escape the city, this is the perfect destination.
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Guided fishing trips
8. Ballard’s Resort
Location: Baudette
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Perch, Northern Pike, Sturgeon
From ice fishing to dock fishing to boat fishing, you can do it all at Ballard’s Resort on Lake of the Woods.
As one of the top places for Minnesota walleye fishing, it’s no surprise why so many people flock to the area during fishing season.
The lake is also connected to Rainy River, which is where many walleye run through during the spring months.
You can also catch lake sturgeon here, which are Minnseota’s largest fish, with some of them weighing the same size as an adult human!
Stay in either their lodge or one of their lakeside Minnesota fishing cabins, and be within walking distance of the boat ramps and water.
If you’d rather see where the locals go for fishing, you can take a guided fishing trip on Lake of the Woods and head to the best spots to drop a line.
Make use of Ballard’s Resorts’ facilities like their fish cleaning house, dock area with bait and tackle for sale, and their dock slip rentals.
Enjoy heading out onto the lake no matter the season, and be prepared to experience some of the best fishing in the midwest.
Top Features:
- Docking facilities
- Dock slip rentals available
- Guided fishing trips
- Fish cleaning house
9. Sandy Point Lodge and Resort
Location: Kabetogama
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass, Perch
Another of the best fishing resorts in Minnesota with boat rentals that is located within close proximity of Voyageurs National Park showcases just how great this area is for fishing.
From Lake Kabetogama to nearby Rainy Lake and other large waterways in the area, there is no shortage of fishing here.
At Sandy Point Lodge and Resort, your stay will put you close to all of these great fishing spots!
Choose to either bring your own boat or rent one from their collection of fishing boats and pontoons, and head out into the water.
The lakeside Minnesota fishing cabins make staying here easy, as you’ll simply walk out your door and be able to see the waters that you’ll be fishing in. You can also choose to stay in a lodge room.
Five of their cabins are open during the winter, and the lodge is ready for guests year-round!
Enjoy cruising across the lake on a boat during the summer, or try your hand at ice fishing in the winter, which usually starts in early December!
There are plenty of species of fish in the lake including walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass, crappie, and more.
This Minnesota fishing resort offers everything that you could need and more for your trip!
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Fishing guides
- Ice fishing rentals
10. Ludlow’s Island Resort
Location: Cook
Open Season: Summer
Best For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass, Crappie
Ludlow’s Island Resort is unique in that it’s situated off the main shore and on a private 5-acre island on Lake Vermillion.
Enjoy their small cabins that really give you that Northern Minnesota feel that we all have grown to know and love!
Fishing is a popular activity on Lake Vermillion, with over 1,200 acres of shoreline and nearly 400 islands to explore!
You’ll find everything in the waters of Lake Vermillion from walleye to crappie to northern pike and muskies.
There’s a bait and tackle shop available for you, so you can easily grab everything you might need without ever having to leave the resort.
You can also book a guided fishing trip to let the locals bring you to all of the nooks and crannies of Lake Vermillion where the fish hide.
Fishing from the docks is also available, and is especially great for little ones hoping to catch a few fish too!
Top Features:
- Guided fishing trips
- Boat rentals available
- Bait and tackle shop
11. Grand View Lodge
Location: Nisswa
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie
The Brainerd Lakes area is home to over 300 lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers, many of which provide excellent fishing.
Grand View Lodge is found in Nisswa off of Gull Lake, just 20 minutes outside of Brainerd.
Gull Lake is a massive body of water, and is surrounded by many other smaller lakes such as Round Lake, North Long Lake, and Lake Hubert.
In the waters, you’ll find classic Minnesota fish that everyone is after like walleye, perch, and crappies.
And with so many lakes nearby, there are plenty of guided tours available to book if you want to find the best locations.
Boat rentals are available as well, if you don’t have your own to bring. And if you’d rather not go on a boat, just fish right from the dock! This is a great option for kiddos.
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Boat slips available to rent
- Ice house rentals
- Guided tours nearby
12. Little Norway Resort
Location: Park Rapids
Open Season: Summer
Best For: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Northern Pike
Fishing on Little Mantrap Lake is made easy with a stay at Little Norway Resort, just outside of the small town of Park Rapids.
Either fish from the dock, which is just steps from the cabins at the resort, or head out onto the vast lake and drop a line.
You’ll find that you’re catching everything from bass to crappie to northern pikes in the waters of Little Mantrap Lake.
There are miles and miles of shoreline to explore, and the waters are fairly clear, so you can see into them as you fish.
Renting a boat is easy, whether you want to reserve it for the entire week or just a few days during your stay.
There is a boat launch available to use, and docks for keeping your boat are available at select cabins along the shore.
I’ve spent several summers fishing and exploring at Little Norway Resort, and have loved every minute of it!
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Docks available at select cabins
13. Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort
Location: Isle
Open Season: Year-Round
Best For: Walleye, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass
Lake Mille Lacs is well known for being one of the most expansive lakes in the state, and is home to some of the best fishing resorts in Minnesota.
Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort is located along the eastern shores of the lake and offers access to premier walleye fishing.
The lake has long been a favorite for catching walleye, among other fish, so if that’s what you’re searching for, this is where you want to go!
Boat rentals are available, so if you don’t have your own, that’s not a problem.
Lake Mille Lacs is huge, covering 207 square miles of space, so you won’t ever run out of spaces to fish, even if one spot isn’t looking promising.
There are also large docks to dock your boat and a boat ramp, where the staff at the resort will help to get your boat into the water.
Top Features:
- Boat rentals available
- Boat ramp
- Large docks
Best Time for Fishing in Minnesota
Some people may think that when snow begins to fall, fishing is over for Minnesota.
But that’s actually not true, as fishing is available here nearly year-round!
Most people prefer to fish during the summer months, from June through August, when the temperatures are warm and fish are active.
These are the times when the resorts are thriving and you can enjoy all of the other amenities from campfires to kayak rentals to swimming.
But many people also love ice fishing, which is typically taking place from January through March, depending on the lake.
Always double-check ice thickness with the DNR or resort if you’re unsure.
When are Fishing Resorts in Minnesota Open?
Some fishing resorts in Minnesota are open year-round, while others are only open during the summer months.
In fact, almost all of the resorts and fishing lodges on this list are open year-round!
This gives you easy access to both ice fishing and regular fishing, so no matter what you prefer, you can do it at these places!
FAQs
You can fish year-round in Minnesota, but spring is often considered the best time to go! This is because fish are moving around and hungry after the winter. They’ll be more active and more willing to bite.
Many lakes in Minnesota boast great walleye and there are many nearbyf walleye fishing resorts, but a few that really stand out are Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnibigoshish, and Leech Lake.
This answer is really tough to know, as there really isn’t a way to count every fish in the water. But Leech Lake and Lake of the Woods seem to stand out amongst some of the most populated lakes.
Leech Lake, Lake of the Woods, and Lake Winnie tend to produce the best and most walleye.
There are many Minnesota fishing resorts with boat rentals. A few of the best options include Northern Lights Resort, Cut Foot Sioux Resort, Chase on the Lake, and Little Norway Resort.
Common fish caught in Minnesota include walleye, northern pike, sunfish, perch, crappie, and sauger.
Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, and Lake Winnie offer some of the best walleye fishing in Minnesota.
Fishermen and women of Minnesota love to bring home their catch for a tasty meal Crappie and walleye are two of the most popular to eat.
Wrap-Up: Minnesota Fishing Resorts
With over 10,000 lakes and countless streams and rivers, Minnesota offers a vast and diverse array of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
The state’s fishing resorts provide excellent accommodations, guides, and amenities that make your fishing trip both comfortable and unforgettable.
No matter what kind of fish you’re hoping to catch, a stay at these best fishing resorts in Minnesota will provide you with a great time!
