Back O' The Moon Resort
Grand Rapids
From $925–$1,300 / week · 2026
Grand Rapids sits on the Mississippi in Itasca County, with Pokegama Lake, 6,612 acres and 112 feet deep, on its south side. Sugar, Bass and Deer lakes lie to the west, and Wabana and Trout lakes, both over 110 feet deep, to the north and east.
Highway 38, the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, runs north to Marcell and Bigfork past Turtle, North Star, Spider and Caribou lakes. Lodging is mostly family cabin resorts rented by the week. Walleye, pike and panfish are the main fish; Turtle Lake is known for smallmouth bass and Caribou Lake holds lake trout.
I. The lodges
Where to stay
Stay near Grand Rapids for Pokegama and the town, on Wabana or Trout for deeper lakes close to town, or around Marcell for smaller resorts on forest lakes.
14 places to stay
Grand Rapids, Pokegama & Sugar
Resorts and campgrounds on Pokegama, Sugar and Bass lakes around Grand Rapids and Cohasset, on Deer and Moose lakes toward Deer River, and the guides based in the area.
Hidden Haven Resort
Cohasset
From $900–$2,650 / week · 2027
Moose Lake Resort
Deer River
From $1,055–$1,575 / week · 2026
Nevaeh Properties
Cohasset
Call for current rates
Pincherry Grove Resort
Cohasset
From $1,275–$1,725 / week · 2026
Pokegama Dam Campground (USACE)
Grand Rapids
Call for current rates
Pokegama Lake Resort
Grand Rapids
From $1,350–$2,750 / week · 2026
Shady Shore Resort
Deer River
Call for current rates
Sugar Lake Lodge
Cohasset
Call for current rates
Sunset Point Resort
Cohasset
From $700–$1,000 / week · year not stated
The Pineridge Resort
Grand Rapids
From $1,200–$1,850 / week · 2027
Two Rivers RV and Campground
La Prairie
From $26–$44 / night · year not stated
Wildwood Resort
Grand Rapids
From $1,932–$7,266 / week · 2027
Zak's Resort
Grand Rapids
From $800–$1,250 / week · year not stated
9 places to stay
Wabana, Trout & Balsam
Resorts and campgrounds on the Wabana chain, Trout Lake by Coleraine and Bovey, and Prairie and Balsam lakes north and east of town.
Balsam Lake Resort & Campground (Big Balsam Camp)
Bovey
From $650–$1,350 / week · year not stated
Birch Bay Resort
Grand Rapids
Call for current rates
Britton's Trout Lake Resort
Bovey
From $850–$1,150 / week · year not stated
Jaspers Resort
Grand Rapids
Call for current rates
Mallard Point
Grand Rapids
Call for current rates
Murphy Landing Resort
Grand Rapids
From $975–$1,475 / week · year not stated
Prairie Lake Campground & RV Park
Grand Rapids
From $32–$50 / night · year not stated
Trout Lake Campground
Bovey
Call for current rates
WA-GA-THA-KA Resort
Grand Rapids
Call for current rates
14 places to stay
Marcell & Bigfork
Resorts along Highway 38 on Turtle, North Star, Spider, Caribou and the smaller Marcell lakes, and around Bigfork.
Arcadia Lodge
Bigfork
Call for current rates
Big Timber Resort
Marcell
From $170 (nightly and weekly rates) · year not stated
Buckhorn on Caribou Lake
Marcell
Call for current rates
Cedar Point Resort & Campground
Marcell
From $565–$1,200 / week · year not stated
Fox Lake Resort
Marcell
From $1,495–$1,695 / week · year not stated
Jack The Horse Resort
Marcell
From $149–$225 / night · 2027
Kokomo Resort
Marcell
Call for current rates
Loon Point Resort
Bigfork
Call for current rates
Maple Ridge Resort
Bigfork
From $1,080–$2,340 / week · 2025–26
North Star Lake Resort
Marcell
From $1,045–$3,095 / week · 2026
Spider Lake Resort
Marcell
From $990–$1,375 / week · 2026
Spider Shores Resort
Marcell
From $700–$925 / week · year not stated
The Wilderness Lodge
Bigfork
Call for current rates
Timberwolf Inn
Marcell
Call for current rates
II. On the water
What a guided day costs
| Boat | Full day | Typical | Half day | Typical | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | $525 | $525 | $430 | $430 | 1 |
"Typical" is the median of published rates. Most operators don't put a year on their rates.
Independent guides
Lodges that run their own guides are listed with the lodges above.
| Guide | Full day | Half day | Boat | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Fishing Guide Service (Jeff Sundin)La Prairie | $525 | $430 | Guide boat, 1–2 anglers | walleye, crappie, perch, northern pike, bass, bluegill, muskie |
| Northern Drift OutfittersGrand Rapids | Call | – | walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, perch |
III. Hard water
Ice fishing: day houses and sleepers
No ice outfitter names these lakes; a few resorts rent portable houses or stay open in winter. Check each listing.
| Outfitter | Day house | Sleeper | How you get out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back O' The Moon ResortGrand Rapids | $50/day portable 2-man; $100/day 3-4 man; ice auger $40/day or $150/week | – |
IV. The almanac
Seasons at a glance
- May 9, 2026Walleye, sauger and pike seasons open.
- May 23Bass harvest opens.
- June 6Muskie season opens.
- September 14Smallmouth bass go back to catch-and-release only.
- February 28, 2027Walleye, sauger and pike seasons close.
- March 15, 2027Every fish house must be off the ice by midnight.
Fishing dates are from the DNR's 2026 regulations.
V. Regulations
Fishing rules
2026–27 season (May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027)
- Walleye and sauger season: May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027. 6 combined, only one walleye over 20 inches, except on Trout Lake near Coleraine and Moose Lake near Deer River.
- Trout Lake near Coleraine and Moose Lake near Deer River: release every walleye from 20 through 24 inches; only one over 24.
- Northern pike (North-central Zone): 10 in possession, not more than 2 over 26 inches; release every pike from 22 through 26 inches.
- Balsam Lake (with Haskell and Scrapper), North Star Lake (with Little North Star) and Spider Lake: release every pike from 24 through 36 inches; 3 in possession, only one over 36.
- Turtle Lake: release every smallmouth bass from 14 through 20 inches; only one over 20. Caribou Lake: lake trout 20-inch minimum, 1 in possession.
- Pokegama, Bass Lake near Cohasset and Little Turtle Lake: sunfish 5 a day.
- Muskie: June 6 – November 30, 1 fish, 54-inch minimum; catch-and-release only on the Mississippi below Blandin Dam and the Prairie River below Prairie Lake Dam.
- Fish houses must be off the ice by midnight on March 15, 2027.
From the DNR's 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations: inland seasons, the North-central pike zone, and the special regulations for the Itasca County lakes named below. Wabana, Sugar and Prairie lakes have no special regulation in the 2026 booklet. Check before you fish.
VI. Asked at the dock
Questions people ask
How much does a fishing guide cost around Grand Rapids?
A guide boat for 1–2 anglers runs $525–$525 for a full day. Rates are per boat, not per person.
What are the walleye rules on Trout Lake near Coleraine?
Every walleye from 20 through 24 inches must be released, and only one over 24 inches may be kept, within the statewide limit of 6 walleye and sauger. Moose Lake near Deer River has the same rule.
Can you keep lake trout from Caribou Lake?
Yes, one: lake trout on Caribou Lake must be at least 20 inches, and the possession limit is 1.
Sources and photo credits
Photos: Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Lorie Shaull, CC BY 2.0; Itasca county MN 169 Pokegama Lake from east IMG 1339, Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0; Trout Lake, Coleraine, Minnesota (37475444282), Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0; Edge of the Wilderness - The Edge of Surprise Lake - NARA - 7718252, S. Clyde (U.S. National Archives), Public domain.
.jpg){kind=link}
http://bigbalsam.com/
http://bigbalsam.com/book
http://bigbalsam.com/cabin-12-starting-at-650week-orp5b67123x
http://foxlakeresort.com/
http://foxlakeresort.com/cabin-4.html
http://foxlakeresort.com/cabins--rates-general-information.html
http://foxlakeresort.com/cabins--rates.html
http://spiderlakeresortmn.com/
http://spiderlakeresortmn.com/cabins/cabin-1
http://www.backothemoonresort.com/
http://www.backothemoonresort.com/cabin1/
http://www.backothemoonresort.com/fishing
http://www.backothemoonresort.com/ice-fishing
http://www.birchbayresort.us/
http://www.birchbayresort.us/about
http://www.birchbayresort.us/lodging
http://www.birchbayresort.us/lodging/log-cottage
http://www.brittonstroutlakeresort.com/
http://www.buckhornoncaribou.com/
http://www.buckhornoncaribou.com/accommodations/
http://www.buckhornoncaribou.com/rates/
http://www.hiddenhavenresort.com/
http://www.jackthehorseresort.com/
http://www.jackthehorseresort.com/about-us/
http://www.jackthehorseresort.com/lodging/
http://www.jaspersresort.weebly.com
http://www.jeffsundin.com/
http://www.loonpointresortmn.com/
http://www.mapleridgeresort.com/
http://www.mapleridgeresort.com/fishing.htm
http://www.mapleridgeresort.com/rates.htm
http://www.murphylandingresort.com
http://www.murphylandingresort.com/fishing-boating.php
http://www.murphylandingresort.com/policies.php
http://www.northstarlakeresort.com/
http://www.pincherryresort.com/
http://www.pincherryresort.com/our-cabins
http://www.pincherryresort.com/pontoon-and-boat-rentals
http://www.pincherryresort.com/rates
http://www.prairielakecamp.com
http://www.prairielakecamp.com/rates
http://www.shadyshoreresort.com
http://www.shadyshoreresort.com/cabins/
http://www.shadyshoreresort.com/reservations/
http://www.spidershoresresort.com/
http://www.spidershoresresort.com/boat-rentals/
http://www.spidershoresresort.com/cabin-rates-and-reservations/
http://www.spidershoresresort.com/cabins/
http://www.spidershoresresort.com/fishing-on-spider-lake/
http://www.sunsetpointresort.net/
http://www.sunsetpointresort.net/1_4_contact.html
http://www.sunsetpointresort.net/1_6_rates.html
http://www.sunsetpointresort.net/1_8_lake-fishing.html
http://www.troutlakecampground.com/
http://www.wildwoodresort.net/
http://www.wildwoodresort.net/cabins/
http://zaksresort.com
http://zaksresort.com/the-cabins
http://zaksresort.com/the-resort
https://backothemoonresort.com/rates/
https://brittonstroutlakeresort.com/about-the-resort/
https://brittonstroutlakeresort.com/boat-rentals/
https://brittonstroutlakeresort.com/cabins/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout_Lake_Township,_Itasca_County,_Minnesota
https://exploreminnesota.com/profile/brittons-trout-lake-resort-llc/421
https://exploreminnesota.com/profile/jaspers-resort/4478
https://exploreminnesota.com/profile/kokomo-resort-north-star-lake/558
https://exploreminnesota.com/profile/pokegama-dam-rec-area-acoe/983
https://exploreminnesota.com/profile/wilderness-lodge/3519
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs.pdf
https://hiddenhavenresortmn.com/big-bass-lake/
https://hiddenhavenresortmn.com/cabin-rates/
https://hiddenhavenresortmn.com/cabins/
https://hiddenhavenresortmn.com/watercraft-rentals/
https://mooselkresort.com/
https://mooselkresort.com/about-moose-lake/
https://mooselkresort.com/early-spring-rates/
https://mooselkresort.com/guest-boat-rental/
https://mooselkresort.com/prime-season-rates/
https://pokegamalakeresort.com/
https://pokegamalakeresort.com/lodge-rental-units/
https://pokegamalakeresort.com/off-season-rates/
https://pokegamalakeresort.com/rates/
https://sugarlakelodge.com/
https://sugarlakelodge.com/play/resort-lake-activities/sugar-lake/
https://sugarlakelodge.com/play/resort-lake-activities/sugar-lake/sugar-lake-fishing/
https://sugarlakelodge.com/stay/lodging/
https://sugarlakelodge.com/stay/lodging/lakeside-cabins/
https://thepineridgeresort.com/
https://thepineridgeresort.com/cabins
https://thepineridgeresort.com/contact
https://thepineridgeresort.com/rates
https://tworiversrvandcampground.com/
https://tworiversrvandcampground.com/camping
https://tworiversrvandcampground.com/camping/fee-page
https://visitgrandrapids.com/explore-outdoors/lakes-fishing/
https://visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/listing/birch-bay-resort/
https://visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/listing/mallard-point/
https://visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/listing/pokegama-lake-resort/
https://visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/listing/two-rivers-rv-campground/
https://www.arcadialodgemn.com/29cabinlodging
https://www.arcadialodgemn.com/check-cabin-availability
https://www.arcadialodgemn.com/rates
https://www.bigtimberresort.com/
https://www.bigtimberresort.com/about
https://www.bigtimberresort.com/contact
https://www.bigtimberresort.com/things-to-do/fishing-on-north-star-lake
https://www.campspot.com/park/trout-lake-campground-bovey-mn
https://www.cedarptresort.com/
https://www.cedarptresort.com/boat-and-equipment-rental/
https://www.cedarptresort.com/cabins/
https://www.cedarptresort.com/campground/
https://www.cedarptresort.com/fishing-north-star-lake/
https://www.edgeofthewilderness.com/
https://www.edgeofthewilderness.com/cedar-point-resort
https://www.edgeofthewilderness.com/kokomo-resort
https://www.edgeofthewilderness.com/maple-ridge-resort
https://www.edgeofthewilderness.com/timberwolf-inn
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/nevaeh-properties-pokegama-lake/3207
https://www.jeffsundin.com/EBFservc.htm
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/attraction/boat-rentals/
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/attraction/fishing/
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/contact-us/
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/last-minute-mn-cabin-rental/
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/mn-cabin-rentals/
https://www.loonpointresortmn.com/resort-layout-directions/
https://www.mallardpointcabins.com/
https://www.nevaehproperties.com/
https://www.northerndriftoutfitters.com/
https://www.northerndriftoutfitters.com/fishing-reports
https://www.northerndriftoutfitters.com/our-guide-trips
https://www.northstarlakeresort.com/cabin-rates/
https://www.northstarlakeresort.com/resort-activities/
https://www.northstarlakeresort.com/the-lodge/
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233588
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233588?tab=info
https://www.thewildernesslodge.com/
https://www.timberwolfinn.com/
https://www.timberwolfinn.com/contact
https://www.vacationcottage.com/location/usa/minnesota/pokegama-lake/resorts
https://www.wa-ga-tha-ka.com/
https://www.wa-ga-tha-ka.com/cabins/
https://www.wa-ga-tha-ka.com/contact-us/
https://www.wildwoodresort.net/rates/