Headed to minnesota for vacation with no set place. Taking our boat and looking to find a good lake with muskie and northerns. Where would you go? And any other things yall would do?

Big lakes would be Mille Lacs, Red lake and Leech Lake

Smaller lake would be Mantrap by Park Rapids but gets lots of pressure

Another idea for you is Itasca State Park north of Park Rapids. You can camp in the park and fish a very small lake called Elk Lake within the park. The DNR use this lake to harvest Musky eggs.

Staying at the park also will put you about 20 miles north of lots of lakes in the Park Rapids area and also put you south of Bemidji to access many more lakes to choice from.

I forgot to add Itasca State Park is the headwaters of the Mississippi if that has any interest to see.

One Lake or One Area?

Ill echo what was said before. The Bemidji area would be my first choice. Good musky waters in all directions. Lake Bemidji, Plantangenet, Big, Cass, Leech, Elk, Mantrap plus a few more. All these have good Muskies and most have good pike too.

More lakes around the area to focus on big pike. Red Lake probably being the best lake in the state to target big pike.

Thanks guys! Well this sucks. Parents changed their minds and we are going west now

What racer and Mike said is good info.

Camp at Itasca State Park and you will be within reasonable driving distance of a lot of water that holds Muskie and some big muskie. If you want to catch a 20 plus pound northern a trip to Red Lake is in order. Short drive from the Bemidji area.

Moose lake. North of grand Rapids

Lots of muskies on the St Croix river. I catch them all the time on accident....and underfished.

Like Mike kelly stated the bemidji area is a fine choice. Short drive to several good muskie waters, Red lake for trophy pike and just about every pothole back in the woods is chock full of 1-15# pike as well as a few bonus 13-16" crappies and if one is so inclined plenty of walleyes to catch. I must say the Bemidji area has it pretty good when it comes to fishing, only other part of the state I ever care to fish is the boundary waters.

If I was going to drive that far, I would drive a bit further and go to Lake of the Woods. I have caught some real nice Muskies in that lake. It is a Hugh lake and I would recommend going
about 100 miles north of International Falls.

Vince Schute Bear sanctuary by Orr is worth a vist, plan on sunset if you like bears...