Finding a Fishing Friendly Resort
By Your Inner Otter
You’ve decided to come to Otter Tail County for a fishing trip and now you are wondering how to find a fishing friendly resort. The good news we have lots of great family owned resorts happy to accommodate you. The not-so-good news is summer’s fill up fast. So it might take a few tries before you find the right fishing resort for you. In this BLOG we will show you some of our favorite spots.
Otter Tail Lake
Arguably one of Minnesota’s best places to catch walleyes is Otter Tail Lake. At 14,000 acres, It is literally a walleye factory. Many of the area lakes are stocked with fish produced at the Walker Lake Fish Hatchery. Catching some good “eater” size walleyes on Otter Tail Lake is easier than finding a trophy fish, however, there are some big walleyes in this lake.
Holly’s Resort
Holly’s Resort is a timeless and classic Minnesota tradition and it is definitely a fishing friendly resort . Established in 1941 and originally known as “Holly’s Camp”, Holly’s has grown to include 13 lakeside cottages and 5 poolside villas. They have dock spaces for rent, and a very nice fish cleaning shack. The cottages have been recently renovated and they are a great place to make memories. Learn more by clicking here.
Barky’s resort
Barky’s Resort is open year round and located on the southwest side of Otter Tail Lake. In the summer, they offer weekly cabin rentals and also rent pontoons, a fishing boat, and jet skis to resort guests and the general public. Barky’s Resort has one of the finest fish cleaning shacks in the area and is a very fishing friendly resort. Click here to see their current openings.
Vacationland Resort
Located on the southwest side of Otter Tail Lake is VacationLand Resort. One of the reasons VacationLand is a fishing friendly resort is the variety of boats they offer for rental. The have a Lund 1775 Impact with a 115 HP Mercury rigged and ready for you. They also offer a 22 foot Bennington Pontoon, a Lund Fish & Cruise Pontoon, a 16 foot Lund Rebel with a 40hp Mercury and others. Learn more by clicking here.
Rush Lake
Shady Grove Resort
Shady Grove Resort is located four miles north of Ottertail, MN on beautiful Rush Lake. They have 17 cabin & condo units, eight RV campsites, an outdoor swimming pool and more. Shady Grove has been a family friendly resort since 1932. Jamie and Angie Neslon bought the resort in 2020 and they have carried on the tradition in style. Shady Grove Resort has a heated fish cleaning shack making this a fishing friendly resort all year long. Learn more by clicking here.
Bladow Beach Resort
Family fun abounds at Bladow Beach resort on Rush Lake. They offer water sports, pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks, paddle board, paddle boats, yard games, basketball, volleyball and a play yard. Rush Lake is a great multi-species fishery. There is quality walleye, crappie, bluegill and bass fishing to be had. Check rates and availability by clicking here.
Four Seasons Resort
Click here to learn more about Four Seasons Resort on Rush Lake and see their new website.
Dead Lake
Northern Lights Resort
Dead Lake is roughly 8,000 acres and offers anglers ample opportunities to catch a variety of species. Northern Lights Resort has been a fishing friendly resort since 1946. The resort offers 10 cabins and 8 recreational campsite next to the lake. Every reservation includes a complimentary dock slip as well as full use of the resort amenities: sandy beach, paddle boards, kayaks, water trampoline, game room, playground, Wi-Fi, TV, fish cleaning house, bait barn, onsite store and more. Click here to make a reservation.
Sunset Bay Resort
Situated on 15 wooded acres and having 550 feet of clean sugar sand beach on Dead Lake makes Sunset Bay a hidden gem. They expanded in 2019, and now have 8 lakeside cabins, a rental home (the House on the Hill), a park model rental (the Cozy Cabin), a travel trailer rental and 6 campsites with water and electricity hookups (2 also with septic). Add to all that-a spectacular swimming beach, our own boat launch, game room/lounge, fish cleaning house, guest laundry, shower house, small store-and of course, the most amazing SUNSETS! Click here to learn more.
Abbywood Resort
Other Lakes
Barrett Lake Resort
Barrett Lake Resort is a family owned resort & campground located 40 miles from Fergus Falls. They have 3 lakeshore cabins available for rent, and a house with a full basement cabin (cabin #4) that can be rented together or separately that are easily within view of the lake. This is a great accommodation for larger families. All units are furnished and air conditioned. They also have 2 campsites that are available for rent by the day or week, and there are 42 seasonal campsites.
An on-site Bait Shop that carries live bait, including minnows, leeches and night crawlers, as well as a variety of tackle items makes Barrett Lake Resort very fishing friendly. The store carries items for your convenience, such as pizza, pop, ice, ice cream and candy, firewood, clothing and a few convenience items. Board games and books are also available at the Bait Shop to use free of charge. You can catch fish right off the docks, or rent a pontoon or a fishing boat. Click here to learn more.
Five Lakes Resort
You may have thought you’d have to go to the boundary waters area or deep into northern Minnesota to find an experience close to a wilderness vacation – a place where peace and quiet prevails and wildlife still roams free. Not so! Five Lakes Resort offers families a unique vacation in a wooded setting on a private lake. No gasoline motors are allowed on Lake Five, keeping the lake crystal clear and clean. Only guests have access to Lake Five, making for a tranquil getaway. It’s an unspoiled environment where you can get back to nature. They have 11 cabins, all well-spaced for privacy and completely furnished. Learn more here.
Fair Hills Resort – Pelican Lake
Since 1926, families have come to the shores of Pelican Lake seeking a quiet, relaxing place where resort recreation and friendly hospitality are served up special everyday. Generation after generation comes back to dip their toes in the waves and wash their cares away. Fair Hills Resort is an all-inclusive resort with enough activities to keep the whole family entertained even if the fish aren’t biting.
East Silent Lake Resort
Tucked away in the rolling hills just west of Dent, MN is East Silent Lake. While the fishery is relatively small, there are plenty of fish to be had. With larger lakes like Star Lake and Pelican Lake just a short drive away, your options are kind of limitless. East Silent Lake Resort offers some of the finest accommodation in Minnesota. Choose from traditional resort cabins, guest rooms and suites, or our new vacation homes which were designed with today’s family vacation in mind. The accommodation is sprinkled throughout the quiet, wooded, 50 acre property. If the fish aren’t cooperating, take a break and play on their ample supply of water toys including a large slide and water trampoline.
Ten Mile Lake Resort
Ten Mile Lake Resort has great fishing on two lakes! It’s a favorite among anglers, with good catches of walleye, northern pike, bass and pan fish. Ten Mile have been listed as one of the best walleye lakes in Minnesota and the smallmouth bass will keep you happy if the walleyes are biting. A screened in fish-cleaning house and bait sales make Ten Mile Lake Resort very fishing friendly.
Woodlawn Resort – Blanche Lake
Want to feel like you are getting away from it all, but still be close to everything. Woodlawn Resort has been hosting vacations at beautiful Blanche Lake since 1948. This fishing friendly resort is located on seven hundred feet of north shore along a secluded thirteen acre tract of park-like woodland, across from Glendalough State Park. Their eight cottages are all on the lake, comfortably and conveniently furnished, many with lofts and vaulted ceilings. Native elm and basswood paneling used extensively in the cottages. Each cottage has a large deck on lakeside for dining and lounging. If some family members want to try something different, they offer sailing lessons.
Big McDonald Resort
Big McDonald Lake is over 1,000 acres in size, spring fed and has a water clarity of up to 25 feet – among the cleanest in Minnesota. This lake is one of the more popular lakes in the area for Walleye and Northern Pike, in addition to having Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Pan Fish and Bullheads. So, take your pick! Click here to learn more.
Swan Lake Resort
Bonnie Beach Resort
Click here for more info on Bonnie Beach Resort on Clitherall Lake.
Cozy Cove Resort – Marion Lake
Loon Lake Resort
Whispering Waters Resort
Click here for more information on Whispering Waters Resort.