The Byway’s Forests and hills are filled with lakes and rivers teeming with fish. The walleye is one of the most popular species, found in most of the area’s lakes and rivers. Northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegill, yellow perch, and other panfish compete with the walleye for the angler’s attention.
A number of nearby lakes have been stocked with rainbow trout. The Smoky Hills at Osage is home to the Straight River which offers world-class fishing for brown trout. The more reclusive brook trout also live in a number of the smaller, more pristine brooks.
For trophy-seeking anglers, there’s muskie fishing in Leech Lake, the Mantrap Chain, Detroit Lake and Elk Lake in Itasca State Park.
Guide service is available throughout most of the area. Enjoy the unmatched adventure of winter fishing when augers and fishing shacks transform area lakes. For fish house rentals in the byway area visit:
FISHING PIERS: back to top
Detroit Lake – In Detroit Lakes, take Hwy. 10 to Washington Ave, go south to West Lake Drive, pier on northwest shore Straight Lake– In the town of Osage, on Hwy. 34, near the old dam
Lake Itasca - In Itasca State Park at Douglas Lodge, 21 miles north of Park Rapids on Hwy. 71, on east shore Lake Belle Taine - In Nevis on Hwy. 34 the pier is on the east shore
11th Crow Wing Lake - In Akeley, from Hwy. 34, go north on CR 23 one mile take Lake Street to Hill Street, turnright into City Park Fish Hook River - In Park Rapids Heartland Park, take Hwy. 71 to Hwy. 34, go east to CR 99, then go north on 5th street, then west to river
Long Lake - In the village of Hubbard, 8 miles southeast of Park Rapids on Hwy. 87
Leech Lake - East of Walker in Shingobee Island, about 1.5 miles west of the junction of Hwy. 371 and 200, the pier is in the MnDot rest area on the south side of the road.
FISHING EVENTS back to top
Events for anglers are happening throughout the year along the byway. Some of the most noteworthy are:
Renowned annual fishing tournaments include the Mercury Walleye Classic on Leech Lake, the Eagles’ Annual Walleye Tournament in Detroit Lakes in June, and the American Legion Community Fishing Contest in Park Rapids on the first Saturday in February.
Hardy anglers who seek more unusual fare will enjoy the annual Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake, where this freshwater cousin of the cod is caught by ice fishing from lake top villages on Presidents’ Day Weekend.
JANUARY
Lake trout fishing opens Eagles Fishing Derby, Big Detroit Lake
FEBRUARY
Annual Eelpout Festival, Walker Annual American Legion Community Fishing Contest-Fish Hook Lake, Park Rapids Muskie, Walleye, Bass Fishing Closes
MARCH
Lake Trout Winter Fishing Closes
APRIL
Trout streams open
MAY
Walleye-Northern Fishing Opener Largemouth Bass Fishing Opener Lake Trout Summer Fishing Opens Bass Opener
JUNE
Mercury Walleye Classic, Walker Muskie Fishing Opener Take A Kid Fishing Weekend Eagles Annual Walleye Tournament, Detroit Lakes Leech Lake hosts the largest non-profit team walleye tournament in the Midwest, Walker Walt Winskowski Memorial Fishing Tournament, Osage
JULY
Annual Muskie/Northern Derby Days, Walker Gene Cirks Memorial Catch & Release Tournament, Park Rapids
SEPTEMBER
Muskie Inc Fishing Tournament, Walker Fall Classic Fishing Tournament on Long Lake, Park Rapids Trout Streams Close Lake Trout Summer Fishing Closes Muskie Fishing Tournament on Detroit Lake
DECEMBER
Darkhouse Spearing Opens For more on fish species see http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing.html for specific information on area lakes visit:
Contact the local chambers for more information on dates and species:
Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber:
http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Park Rapids Area Chamber:
http://www.parkrapids.com
Leech Lake Area Chamber:
http://www.leech-lake.comItasca State Park:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us