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Posts: 347
Location: Vilas County, WI | I've used the search function for various other 'family vacation' threads on the forum so I have some ideas so far; But I'm looking for suggestions of resorts with a few specifics:
My wife has one requirement... Lakeside cabin. Not 'lake view' but lakeside meaning right on the water. Preferably our own pier just a few feet away. A beach, swimming area, pool, or kids play area is also desirable.
We do not need a meal plan or housekeeping. Area tourist attractions would be a bonus but definitely are not required.
I'm wide open to destinations. We are from Vilas county and some that I've began looking at are Namekagon, Chip, Central MN, Vermilion, all the way to Ontario. We aren't picky on that. I realize that the lakeside cabins are popular, and many of the resorts I've looked at those cabins are already booked for the entire summer. We have some flexibility between June, July, or August.
As a family we primarily musky fish, however multi-species is not out of the question. My boys are 9 & 7 and fish regularly.
Many of the resorts I've looked at so far are booked already. Since we don't need bells/whistles, meals, housekeeping plans maybe there are some medium/smaller resorts that fit our needs? Should I look at AirBNB stuff? Feel free to share your opinions/suggestions. They will be much appreciated; Feel free to PM.
Thanks!
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Edited by TheShow 11/26/2019 8:29 PM
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Get the island cabin at Spring Bay resort. Maybe 100 yards from the main dock out in the bay. |
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Posts: 90
| Spring Bay Resort has a several homes on the water with private docks. If you want to be treated like family this is the place to go. |
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Posts: 591
Location: Duluth | Craig Lake St. Park in Baraga county. No gas engines allowed but great experience for the boys and dynamite fishing.
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Posts: 1970
| Pehrson’s lodge on V is a fantastic place for a family one of the best in MN for a true family experience, there is something for everyone . Your wife and kids will probably want to go back every year! |
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Posts: 144
Location: Loves Park, IL | Twin Waters Resort on Big St Germain lake.
Vermilion Dam Lodge on Vermilion.
Flag Island Resort on Lake of the Woods, Ontario.
I know there are a lot of places around each of these and I have stayed at many. These would all fit what you’re looking for. Flag would be my first choice. Have fun.
Edited by JBlanck 11/13/2019 6:46 PM
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Posts: 770
Location: Delavan, WI | What sworrall said. Me and the wife stayed at island cabin on vermilion one year you won't be disappointed it's at spring bay resort very nice people! |
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Posts: 347
Location: Vilas County, WI | I just googled that island cabin at Spring Bay. That looks pretty cool!
Does Spring Bay have other lakeside cabins? I looked at their resort map and I noticed the road runs in between the lake and the cabins?
Thanks for the other suggestions and PM's as well. I will be checking into those as well |
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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | Here is another suggestion...
Our family stayed at this place last summer. It's a small lake but it's quiet and has what your looking for at a reasonable price. Great fishing, we are going back next summer to the same place. It's not a trophy Muskie lake by any stretch, biggest for us was a 38" but it's easy to fish and perfect for younger kids as the smallies were active most of the day. Mornings being best. Cabin has a game room with a ping pong table and video games all set up. Fire pit in the back and deer walk right up and take crackers out of your hand.
Only drawback is it's a bit shallow by the dock at about 3 to 4' tops, and it's about 120' to the outlet on the cabin to re charge the boat batteries. Cool thing was, kids caught tons of gills off the dock. We released everything.
Good luck!
https://www.northwoodsvacationrentals.com/accommodations/little-arbo... |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | Spring Bay does have a cabin, maybe two, directly on the lake. I stayed in it one time and I believe it's called Reesies (sp). Great place with great owners... can't go wrong.
If you are looking to do more family fun activities, I would suggest Walker/Longville area. Leech is there with plenty of smaller musky lakes in case the weather gets nasty. Lots of stores, restaurants, and stuff for the kids to do (turtle races, playgrounds, etc). |
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Location: Northern Illinois | Be advised musky fishing the Big V will be rough with young kids that fishery is no walk in the park. Multi-Species would be your best best. |
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Posts: 23
| Might want to check out KCs Landing on Indian Lake Chain near Vermilion Bay Ontario. I have only been up in fall but they have a nice beach area and water trampoline etc. Some cabins very near lake some not. Action water with good walleye, bass, pike, etc. |
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Posts: 347
Location: Vilas County, WI | Would I be alright on Vermilion if I focused more multi species and less Musky? I found a few options on the west end, although the larger resorts are a little pricey.
Or should I consider looking around the Cass, Leech, Bemidji area for something else? Any resort suggestions around that area to consider?
Thanks! |
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Posts: 32789
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The bass, pike, walleye, crappie and bluegill fishing on Vermilion is really good. BIG crappies, too. |
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Posts: 53
| Balsam beach resort in bemidji on plantagenet is cool. Huge muskies and a really nice beach with a ton of water toys for the boys during the down time. Might fit the bill. |
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Posts: 53
| IAJustin - 11/13/2019 6:27 PM
Pehrson’s lodge on V is a fantastic place for a family one of the best in MN for a true family experience, there is something for everyone . Your wife and kids will probably want to go back every year!
Pehrsons is nice, great kids program. But so is Maui for the same amount of money, ha |
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Posts: 1516
| Isn’t Maui fly in?
Balsam Beach is a nice place. Has pool and nice beach. Has boat lifts as well.
Edited by Pepper 11/18/2019 3:55 PM
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Posts: 1184
| If your looking at Vermillion, and not able to get in at Spring Bay (big fan of the Ahmondsons). Just a block south, White Eagle probably has what your looking for. I haven't stayed there since they handed it off to their kids, many years ago, but a great family and has most of what you are looking for. If you looking at Leech, we used to go to Woodland resort on Kabeknona bay. We didn't stay in the cabins because we were young and looking for the cheapest thing, and they let us pitch a tent down at the end of the property. Let us use a dock and everything. Super nice folks, and they won't be the most spendy on the lake. Plus, being on Kabekona bay, if the big lake is too crazy, you can still fish in the bay.
Edited by TCESOX 11/18/2019 5:33 PM
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Posts: 1970
| DWags - 11/18/2019 12:09 PM
IAJustin - 11/13/2019 6:27 PM
Pehrson’s lodge on V is a fantastic place for a family one of the best in MN for a true family experience, there is something for everyone . Your wife and kids will probably want to go back every year!
Pehrsons is nice, great kids program. But so is Maui for the same amount of money, ha
I’ve always thought it was a great value, 11 of us stayed a week for about $375 pp ..ages 6 to 60 all had a great time ...I’m all ears if you can line up a trip to Maui for that investment! 
Edited by IAJustin 11/18/2019 7:55 PM
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Posts: 397
Location: Wisconsin | I suggest taking a look at Century Lodge on Eagle Lake, Ontario. It is the most remote lodge on Eagle, with cabins that all are lakeside. Great multi species fishing for smallmouth, walleye, pike and that area of Eagle lake has tons of musky. Your kids would surely enjoy the numbers of fish you would encounter. Our group caught 16 musky this past August during our trip!
The lodge is family run, and very flexible, with lots of different options to accommodate your trip. I suggest checking out their website or Facebook page, as well as reach out to Randy just to hear the different options available. They have really cool day trips, such as a musky only lake, where You will encounter a dozen or more fish in a single day. Take care!
Edited by WiscoMusky 11/20/2019 2:48 PM
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Posts: 7
| 2020 lake cabins are almost book :o...not during my glory days when you can book at least weeks before. I haven't plan my trip for 2020 though but feels like I need to now. |
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Posts: 347
Location: Vilas County, WI | This ^^
First, let me say thank you to all the replies on the thread and those of you who sent PM's. I considered all your suggestions and opinions, both good and bad. Much appreciated!
This quest turned out to be more difficult than I expected. The biggest issue... availability. My vacation schedule is pretty much set at work already for 2020 so I was hoping to find something on a week I could get off. That proved difficult. Many of the suggestions provided fit our needs only to contact the resort and they were already booked. Lots of phone calls were made and hours spent on websites. Accommodations ranged from about 1,000 up to 2,600 for a week. We were hoping to stay on that lower side.
Long story short, based on a multitude of factors, we booked at Everett Bay Lodge on Vermilion in July. I've been to Big V once prior in fall 2016 at VDL on a musky trip so now we will be on the east side. I will have to step up my multi species game so the kids have fun. (Steve - I know you speak highly of multi-species opportunities on Vermilion.) The resort has a pool, playground, paddleboards, kayaks, etc to keep the kids entertained outside of fishing. We are all excited. Thanks again.
Big Show |
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Posts: 20179
Location: oswego, il | Small topwaters and spinnerbaits right in Everett bay, the kids will have fun with the pike. Rice bay is a cruise from there but full of pike. Have your kids toss crankbaits along rocky shorelines for bass. We used to use the medium lipped 2.5" bill dance fat free shad, it's a bomber, still made, one of the best ever.
Edited by ToddM 12/1/2019 10:08 AM
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | ToddM - 12/1/2019 10:06 AM
Small topwaters and spinnerbaits right in Everett bay, the kids will have fun with the pike. Rice bay is a cruise from there but full of pike. Have your kids toss crankbaits along rocky shorelines for bass. We used to use the medium lipped 2.5" bill dance fat free shad, it's a bomber, still made, one of the best ever.
Also, use a "crayfish" looking crank for Bass... they love those things..
Stuntz Bay and Cable Bay are fun to fish.
Good choice for your resort. |
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Posts: 591
Location: Duluth | Not too far of a run to Ely and Seven Sisters Islands, the kids will have a hoot multi species fishing while you can work the seven sisters for muskie.
Pumpkin or crayfish pattern tubes proved to be deadly for smallmouth. Good choice in that the kids will stay busy and if you manage to eek out a fish it will likely be a good one. Oh yea make sure you night fish, seems to be the only way I've been able to consistently catch musky there in the summer. |
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