I might be disowned by my family for stating this, but when it comes to fishing, I could take it or leave it. I don’t particularly like baiting the hook, I don’t particularly like taking the fish off the line (especially when it swallows the worm), and sometimes I get kind of bored waiting for the bobber to submerge.
I’d rather be reading a good book, or going for a nice, leisurely run, or searching for deals at the nearest mall.
The beauty of the Mille Lacs area is that you can agree to disagree about fishing (sorry, Dad and brothers), and still have a blast. Mille Lacs is the state’s second largest lake, spanning slightly more than 200 square miles, and with more than 40 species of fish—including walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch and muskie—it’s clearly an angler’s paradise. No contest.
But it’s so much more than a fishing mecca. The area is nice in summer, fun in winter (ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing!), but in my opinion, the prime time to visit is during the autumn months. Not only are the fish biting, but there are fewer crowds at the state parks, on the golf courses, along the hiking and biking trails, shopping at cute small-town boutiques, and checking out the small-town attractions, like the Mille Lacs Indian Museum. The weather is just about perfect—not-too-hot and not-too-cold, and many places offer deep seasonal discounts. If you want exciting nightlife, there’s always a band, concert, or show at nearby Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
Sometimes, the perfect vacation isn’t a compromise, but finding a way to do what makes you both happy. If he wants to fish and you want to bike (or shop, or golf), or vice versa, then consider a weekend getaway to Mille Lacs.
