I have a possibility of a job in Willmar and am considering moving from the Brainerd area to the Willmar area. I am familiar with Green lake but I see there are a lot of other lakes in the area. Are they any good for fishing? bass? walleyes? crappies? What is the value of lakeshore property like there? It has got to be better than brainerd. What's the deer hunting like there?

In-Laws have a farm out of Willmar and my family has lake cabin out of Brainerd. I would think the value of lakeshore property is still higher in Brainerd, but maybe I'm wrong.

Tons of great lakes in the area, like you mentioned Green, but there is a bunch more, I really like Diamond.

Lots of lakes in the area, good hunting too, but also lots of pressure, lots of fisherman and hunters. And with the demand, the price of recreational land, both hunting and lakeshore land, has sky rocketed. The one thing that we do have that Brainerd doesn't have is pheasants. Good luck.

Growing up here ive made the best of it, but I sure dont think id ever move here for the great hunting and fishing oppertunities...........? Way too much pressure. Sorry.

Being as I didn't grow up here but in south central MN, there isn't near the pressure up here that some of the big name lakes receive in the Mankato area. Don't let talk of too much pressure turn you away from the area, there is great fishing and hunting opportunities for those who look for them.

Well I had an interview and it went well. I will probably hear next week. If I am offred the job, and decide to accept, the next step is to find a place to live.

WIthin 20 minutes of Willmar, which area would you live in if you had the choice. I want to be close to good fishing lakes, and close to good bowhunting. Should I be looking north of WIllmar? Northwest? Spicer area? West of New London (Not sure if that is within 20 minutes or not)?

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

If it were up to me I would pick the New London-Spicer area. You can get into some real good walleye fishing if you put a little time into it. Lot of good little bass lakes around the area that IMO are very underfished.

For deer, I would be headin west of the area. I know of 5 different bucks that went over 160". Again, hard to find land to bowhunt but if you put a little effort into it you will pick something up.Anyway, Shoot me an email if you need some more pointers.

You mentioned lake shore property,I've been trying to sell a lot and decided to build on it cause no one seems interested in lots! They all want a cabin or home ready to move into.
Its on Diamond lake a back bay with cattail shore Taxes are 3/4 of normal shore taxes cause of this,A drive is in a dock area is cleared and the lot is ready to build.
If interested get in touch,I will be building this spring,doing most all of the work myself,I expect 3 years to completion,Unless I can sell it.
I'll add the lot is priced about 100,000 less than out on the lake.

SParcebag PM me with more detailed info and the price, etc. I would like to look at it on Google Earth.

BearDown;north of willmar is where I would choose,spicer,green lake,new london,diamond lake,sparcebags lot,in this area you are right in the middle of some great fishing and hunting.I had 11 dear in my back yard last night.You will also be within 20 min of willmar.Shoot me an email ill keep my ears open for rentals and purchase property.Stuff is real high $ on green but ok on the smaller lakes.I am curious about google earth.gonna take a look.
mhcarpntry at yahoo dot com

Beardow, Welcome to the area. Norway lake, still puts about 2o minutes from Willmar. Nothing better than a place in the country. drive to which ever lake you would for the day.

Bear no PMs here,my email is at the bottom here.

Didn't realize you couldn't PM on this board. I will send you an e-mail.

Funny how life works.

I deer hunt west of Pine River, south of Backus, right by Beardown apparently, and I always thought that would be a nice area to move to in retirement. We go up in the summer to fish a few days each year out of the deer shack too. We always enjoy every day up there and here is someone who might move away from that and closer to me.

Not knocking his choice, I hope it works well for him. Just interesting where life takes you sometimes.

DD