Just like everyone else that has never been there, I'm going to ask the same question. Winter is a bit different than summer because you rely on the resorts for the locations you fish rather than finding them yourself in a boat.....

A couple of us (including my wife), are interested in fishing the lake for the 1st time. Trying to figure out one place as opposed to another from afar on short notice is sort of mind boggling. They all seem similar, but I know there are some that have a better track record.


Here are the relevent points of this trip:

1) December 08 trip.

2) I'm not interested in driving my Excursion on the ice to the house - I'm getting too old for that early and late season suspense! Plus riding out on some of those rigs seems like it might be a kick!

3) Not interested in a sleeper shack from what I'm reading on the night bite. So a cabin package at a resort that has a restaurant and adult beverages.

4) Some form of sanitary facilities out on the lake - especially with the wife with. She's not into a bucket anymore!

5) My buddy is from Chicago, but now lives in the Phoenix area, so we are looking for a high probability of catching fish with bang for the buck (I had to throw that in because my wife is an accounting type).

I appreciate all your replies and feedback in advance!

well if your looking for Ice fishing and in December your looking North. I would would think it all matters on what your fishing for. The URL has really come around with the walleye and bonus northerns that are swiming that lake, not too far of a drive and the people there are great. I would also think somewhere like LOW would be a place to go to, but I dont have much information on that. I would look into JonnyP for URL and maybe even look at Appledorns I think is the place on Mile lacs.

I know its not much but hopefully this will help to start to thin down the list.

Thanks Shawnny!

We're looking at LOW with a possible stop at URL on the way back. I have a cabin in the Longville area and will probably use that as a stop over on the way up and back.

December 8th you will be hauled out in heated covered wagons
and there may not be many permanent houses out there yet.

All of your questions are best answered by your outfitter.

There are several threads on this same topic from the last
few days. I think you can get your answers from these other
threads and a couple of phone calls.

See you up there

Cobra, I think you will have a hard time finding much more than a bucket for bathroom service out on the ice anywhere. If you get a sleeper, the bathroom area may be covered by a door, but you will still be using a bucket with a seat.

I recommend Arnesen's (see my other post). I have been bringing the family up there for a lot of years. Early ice there is nice because you don't venture out that far. Realistically, if the wife talks nice to the guides - they may bring her to shore and back in order for her to take care of business...

I bring my wife alot and what we do is bring a 5gal bucket, with tolet seat that fits on top. I step outside and all is cool!

The old Luggable Loo. The 5 gal bucket with the toilet seat. Available at your nearest Fleet Farm. Classic.

Cobra: I've been going to the big pond during the winter for the past 9 years. Four years ago my wife ( who loves to fish in the summer ) agreed to go along for a January trip. She fell in love with it, in fact she has been known to outfish me on occassion however I'll deny I ever admitted it. LOL
We have stayed at Riverbend during all of these years and have been well satisfied. Good food, warm comfortable cabins and cold beverages of your choice. The price is also very good, so your bottom line should have a positive impact. They will transport you if you do not wish to drive your own rig. Early ice having them transport is the only option however they will accomadate you if you do not wish to drive yourself regardless of the ice thickness. Our fishing success has always been positive during our Jan trip so I'm sure your wife will have a good time. Riverbend also has a couple of new houses with built in facilites so no one has to worry about privacy. I have four trips booked there again this year and we are looking forward to each one. Hope you enjoy yours. Good luck and hang on. Bill PS Headed up for our first encounter on Dec 26, then Jan, Feb and March....

HEY BTURCK,why so late/ Im going up Dec.11th.Stay at Adrians but go to RiverBend alot. Gordy has been a good friend of mine for years. Called his house Sunday and he was crying about the Viks game.Will let ya know how we did.

We always have lots of things going on around Xmas so we make the trip right after. Say hi to Gordie for me. I'm not sure I'd waste my tears the way the Vikes played the 2nd half on Sunday. It seems they can always put together one half its the other that is lacking. Still a chance though. Hope you have a good trip on the 11th, I'll be looking for a report. Good luck and hang on. Bill

Change in plans for this trip..............

I guess I'm now targeting mid January. Any suggestions for where to go mid January? Is LOW a better or worse shot than Red for getting fish action?

PS - I've been a Vikes season ticket holder for around 35 years and this Childress guy bugs me about as much as Fat Denny. Only difference is Fat Denny won more!

Cobra~

Do both!

Every year I pretty much do the same trip. I head for LOTW right away in the early A.M., fish that all day, and then head to Red Lake for the AWESOME night bite. That might be a little too much for some people but it is worth the time if you are up for it. Nothing better than fishing LOTW all day and then making the hour and ten minute drive south for Red Lake.

Good luck.

Pikester,

Thanks!
I had been considering that move. I haven't been to either place to be honest. Do you use anyone in the URL area? Being it's my 1st trip and I've got a buddy coming from Arizona on limited time. I want to insure he gets on fish in a hurry....

outdoorswithjonnyp.com

You will not be disappointed. Let me know if you have any more questions.

bapperpimp, when are u comming up? warming the houses up now, just need some more ice to be SAFE. Ice looks ok here @ Arnesens but we have a little brake up ice here and there when the wind broke up w/2-3" ice a week or so ago. Looks solid now, just need no wind to seal the deal. C-Ya when you get here. Wingnut