Leech Lake Blog

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On Saturday the breeze off Leech Lake was cool. The rain cycled from mist to sprinkles to downpour throughout the day, and the clouds over Little Pipe Island danced an ominous dance across the sky. Despite the inclement weather – inside our three-bedroom townhome four couples, two kids, and a feisty puppy were enjoying their best vacation in recent memory.

Between the board games around the dining room table, the delicious food prepared in a the full kitchen, and a few good books in comfy chairs everybody had something to do, and was happy doing it.

None of us are avid fishers, but as Duluthians overdosed on Lake Superior, we relished the opportunity to visit Minnesota’s finest inland lake. Trapper’s Landing Lodge provided plenty to do including the complimentary canoes, bikes and kayaks (the weather had improved by Sunday). Neighboring Walker, MN offered opportunities-a-plenty for shopping, hiking and biking (on the incredible Heartland Trail).

If we were fisher-folk we’d have had almost too much to do with the available boat rentals, fishing guides, and nearby muskie holes (ask Matt – he’ll tell you where to find ‘em).

After a long Sunday of touring the area, hiking the Heartland, and shopping at Reed’s Family Outdoor Outfitters we returned to our cabin, opened a bottle (or two) of wine and made s’mores over the campfire. The sky had cleared by that point, and watching the stars through the changing leaves was the highlight of everyone’s trip.

On Monday, our last day of vacation, we spotted this little guy hanging out on the new dock at Beachfire Grille. The weather was perfect the lake was clear and calm. None of us wanted to leave.

As a Duluthian I found Leech Lake to be a tremendous getaway destination. It was just far enough from home to be an “escape,” and the lake, while not Superior, was perfect.  I can’t wait to get back there. Maybe I’ll visit again this winter when I can try my hand at ice fishing! Minnesota will make a fisherman of me yet.