Lakes are scattered throughout Minnesota, which is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but northern Minnesota has especially abundant waters for fishing. For many people, spending a week or two at a resort is a rite of summer and a tradition that begins early in life. While lodging is available throughout Minnesota, the northern part of the state has an abundance of fishing resorts.
Fish
Some of the best and most diverse fishing opportunities are in northern Minnesota. Choose from thousands of lakes in the northern part of the state. Walleye, which is the state fish, can be found in the majority of them, and walleye is the species Minnesota anglers target most frequently. Deep water and rocky bottoms are common traits among northern lakes, so species such as smallmouth bass and lake trout also do well in these bodies of water. Also common are crappies and sunfish.
Gems
Some of the most well-known lakes in the Minnesota are in the northern part of the state. Lake of the Woods is on the border with Canada and features some of the state's best walleye and muskie fishing. Upper Red Lake, which is in the northwest, offers excellent walleye, crappie and northern pike fishing. Lake Vermilion in the northeast is home to large populations of smallmouth bass, muskies and walleyes. In addition, many other lakes in the northeast are not well-known, but have high populations of brown, lake and rainbow trout.
Small Lakes
Fishing resorts are open on lakes of any size in northern Minnesota. Stocking Lake, for example, is 88 acres and about as small of a fishing lake as you'll find in the northern part of the state. But that's where the Sleeping Fawn Resort, which has six cabins, is located. The lake doesn't have a public access and therefore doesn't receive much fishing pressure, but it affords ample fishing for largemouth bass, crappies, northern pike and sunfish.
Mid-Sized Lakes
At 6,400 acres, Lake Bemidji is larger than many lakes in the northern part of the state, but it certainly isn't the biggest. One of the resorts on the lake is Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge, which is on the north end of the lake. The resort offers a variety of lodging options, including hotel rooms, suites and cabins. The lake is a well-known producer of walleye, but it also has a healthy muskie population and anglers catch fish longer than 50 inches every year.
Big Lakes
Rainy Lake is one of the largest and most picturesque lakes in the state. One of the fishing resorts on the lake, Sha Sha Resort, doesn't just sit near the water--it is nearly surrounded by water, as it's located on a point. Eight cabins are available at the resort. Rainy Lake offers excellent walleye and northern pike fishing, especially on the drop-offs along the lake's many islands. In addition, Black Bay is a good choice for those who want to catch a mess of crappies for dinner.
Regulations
Anyone who fishes in Minnesota must have a fishing license. Also, the state limits the number of fish you can harvest per day. The limits vary by species, and some lakes have special regulations that are different than those that apply statewide. For detailed information, check the Minnesota Fishing Regulations book, available in most convenience and bait stores near the lakes.
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