Planning your trip to Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota

THE BEST WAY TO LAKE MILLE LACS

From LAX, Northwest offers nonstop service to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. It’s a 90-minute drive to Isle and Lake Mille Lacs. You can find a good map at www.macstwinbay.com/loca.

WHERE TO STAY

Fish house rentals for most resorts begin the third week of December and continue until the last day of February. Resorts on the south to northeast shores of Lake Mille Lacs are easier to access from the Twin Cities.

Mac’s Twin Bay Resort, 43469 Vista Road, Isle, MN 56342; (866) 670-8709, www.macstwinbay.com. Eight-hole house $600 per weekend, $340 per day. Sleeps four to six. On the southeast shore of the lake. Family-run, friendly staff. Rentals are clean, carpeted and come with bunks, indoor bathroom and TV/VCR.

Nitti’s Hunters Point Resort, 5436 479th St., Isle, MN 56342; (877) 240-0164, www.hunterspointresort.com. Also family-run. Eight-hole fish houses for $200 a day or $400 for a weekend. Sleeps four to six (must bring own bedding). Houses are carpeted, have gas heat, gas lights, table/chairs and bunks. Outhouses are on the lake. Deluxe accommodations for $400 (half-day), $900 (full day), includes SnoBear, an enclosed, high-tech fishing vehicle, with guide included.

WHERE TO EAT

Carlsona Beach Supper Club, reasonable prices, walleye is right from the lake. Dinners from about $10; (320) 684-2321, www.carlsonabeach.com.

Buzzies on the Bay at Mac’s Twin Bay Resort, (info above) sandwiches, ribs, and weekend buffets. Dinners from about $10.

Hunters Point Restaurant at Hunters Point Resort, (info above) full menu for breakfast lunch and dinner. Steak dinners from $15.25.

TO LEARN MORE

Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council, (888) 350-2692, www.millelacs.com

Frucci is a freelance writer.