I've never been further north than Omaha, but I'm thinking about going to Minnesota next summer.  I'd be bringing my family and another couple or two - all with younger kids.  I'd also pull my boat.  Looking for a rustic cabin (privately owner or lodge/resort), on a smaller lake (don't want tot be overwhelmed with a huge lake), with good small and/or walleye fishing.

 

Anyone got any suggestions, been looking around on VRBO  little - so many places and spots - thought someone might have a suggestion here.

 

 

Not sure if you'll have any luck finding a lodge on a smaller lake. Most in MN are on pretty big, popular lakes. If your willing to camp for a few nights, the Bouandary waters presents a nice area for smallmouth and walleye.

Thanks for the advice.  Guess I'll have to look at a bigger lake.  Any suggestions?  What are the best lakes in Central Minnesota (beside Mille Lacs)?

Leech Lake is about as good as it gets. Trophy fish across many species, there's lots of amazing lodges, and it's not over populated or dense so you get that real sense of being remote (like up in Canada). 

One other angle is the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota - around St. Cloud, Little Falls.  Gets waaaaay less pressure than the lakes do and the fishing is awesome.  Possibly the best river smallmouth fishing on the continent.  Just another perspective to think about ~

Thanks punch and Frydog.  Given me plenty to look at!  Ready to go right now.

I think Punch's suggestion about Leech is pretty good, hard to beat its versatility. Other medium sized lakes near Longville that are excellent smallmouth waters include (Woman, Baby, Mahon, etc). Not sure you'll find a rustic or economical cabin very easily though..

The Longville area has exactly what you're looking for. Otherwise I would say Vermilion but that's a bigger lake although it's made up of many smaller bays that are manageable to fish.

Joe

Any of the lakes they are mentioning will be better scenery and a nicer feel but if you wanted to catch tons of 4-6lb smallies there's nowhere better than mille lacs even though you said besides there:/

Longville is a nice area. My family stayed at Woman about 3 years ago and we did really well on the Smallies and Walleye and the view wasn't bad either. Landed some nice Largies there as well. If you decide on a bigger lake these guys gave you good options.