Boys trip 2025 (where to go?)

[DEgge]

We are a group of 6 serious anglers who have made an annual drive in trip with our boats to Obregon, Mexico for the past 20 years. With all the jackings and violence lately between Nogales, Az. and Obregon, Mexico we have decided to give it up. We decided to go to Minnesota this year and are looking for good lake and lodging recommendations. Planning on June sometime. We are used to catching 40-60 largemouth per person per day for 6 days of fishing. We are all from the DFW area and don't want to drive that far and not catch fish! Smallies, largemouth, walleye, pike is what we are after.
Any recommendations?

[Minnesota97]

First your expectations of 40-60 bass per day per angler are way out of line for any lake in Minnesota. That's 240 to 360 bass per day. It's not going to happen on any lake in Minnesota. Now 15 per day is possible, but that would be the high mark. Leech lake is large enough and has a good population of both green and brown fish. Also good fishing for walleyes, panfish, pike and muskies. And if you pull up a google map you will see that whole area is covered by lakes.

[hawg whacker]

I've been looking for a lake here, that cranks em out like that for over 25 years. Let me know if you find it.

My wife and I have 4 lakes that will produce like that, but only 1/2 the times we go there. And that's only 2 of us. That is setting the hook on every cast for an hour, on every spot.

I don't think you have very real expectations...but I could be wrong. And who, in their right mind, would give you the lake???!!!lol

[DieselDood]

Good multi species fishing in MN is pretty abundant. Now those numbers... ehh not so sure about that...

Leech as mentioned. Mille Lacs, Vermillion, Whitefish Chain, Lake of the Woods, all are great for what you are looking for.

For variety in lake type and such, Whitefish Chain by Crosslake is pretty cool. Lakes with deep water, shallow, mud flats, rocks, weeds... really if there is a way you like to fish, you can find it there. Walleye, Crappies, Smallies, Largemouth, Northern, even Trout can be found. I go up there every summer for the last 10 years and I still haven't REALLY gotten to know the whole lake system. There is just so much structure to hit, that I pick something I want to work on, and target that type of fishing. There are tons of places to stay, Air BNB/VRBO types, as well as camping. Although I know camping sells out quickly as soon as it opens.

Vermillion is incredible Smallies, Walleyes and Muskie. It can be a boat/lower unit killer if you aren't careful. There are boulders the size of houses all the way down to mud there. There are houseboat rentals, you can get then stay on the lake and use it as a home base type of thing. The last time I was there I stayed at Everett's Bay Resort. It's not a "star" type resort. It's a mans resort. Has what you need, not what you don't. I enjoyed my stay, and the owner and his wife are awesome folks! If you stay, tell him the Hooksetters sent you. There is also a Casino with a marina on the water called Fortune Bay. I've only stayed there once years ago and that was in the winter, so I'm not overly familiar with summer stuff.

Mille Lacs, awesome for Smallies and Walleyes. Guys get Muskie out there as well but they are usually targeting them later in the summer. (I'm not a muskie guy, so I could be wrong there)
The smallies can be a little tough to find at times, but if you get on the right ones, I've seen guys get a 25lb sack of 5. I'm not overly familiar with the lake, but it's on my list for this season.

Lake of the Woods I've never fished, but I've been told it's incredible.

[FryDog62]

Vermillion would give you an almost Canadian-style trip without going through Customs. Beautiful place, smallmouth haven, although not Mille Lacs size..

[DieselDood]

Vermillion would give you an almost Canadian-style trip without going through Customs. Beautiful place, smallmouth haven, although not Mille Lacs size..

I know there are some monsters in Mille Lacs, but I've seen 20lb bags come out of Vermillion in a tourney.
Plenty of 3-4's too.

I need to get up to Mille Lacs this summer. I have a buddy who's Mom lives up there and I've never taken advantage of being able to crash there. Usually I drive by and go to the cabin on the Whitefish Chain... lol

[basscla]

Rainy should be considered. You will catch lots of fish, but there are always off days. You can stay on the US side and still fish Canadian water easily. You will catch bass, pike and walleye while bass fishing. Lots of water to fish. Several resorts to choose from or do a houseboat rental.

[DEgge]

We decided on Mille Lac and Gull lake. About the same travel time without the mexican hassels. Gull looks pretty big, so any advice there would be appreciated. Mille Lac looks like some looking before we find em? Anybody making a trip for Texas bass let me know, we will definitely reciprocate!

[BigBrownBass]

What time of year? Mille Lacs is easier in the spring and fall. Mid summer can be tough fishing for smallies. Gull can be broken down into two parts. The main lake and then the many smaller connected lakes. Gull itself tends to have bigger fish and the smaller lakes have more numbers typically.

[bassburch]

We are a group of 6 serious anglers who have made an annual drive in trip with our boats to Obregon, Mexico for the past 20 years. With all the jackings and violence lately between Nogales, Az. and Obregon, Mexico we have decided to give it up. We decided to go to Minnesota this year and are looking for good lake and lodging recommendations. Planning on June sometime. We are used to catching 40-60 largemouth per person per day for 6 days of fishing. We are all from the DFW area and don't want to drive that far and not catch fish! Smallies, largemouth, walleye, pike is what we are after.
Any recommendations?

My vote would be Leech Lake, and hire a guide to target musky or walleye, and then go bass fishing on your own. I think there's even a BASS Open this year on Leech Lake, and they don't just pick any old lake for that! It's a great fishery.

[MichaelJ3]

If you want to drive slightly further north, Lake of the Woods in the Kenora Ontario area is amazing for Smallies, Northern, Muskie, Walleye, and Perch.
I can routinely catch 70-100 Walleye and 50 small-mouth a day up there.

[03triton21]

Great choice on Mille Lacs, especially June. Numbers at that time are pretty high and the average is really good as well.
I live fairly close and fish it 2-3 times a week. From beds to boulders, it is phenomenal fishery. hit me up when you get closer to coming. Enjoy the trip and experience.