There’s something about Mille Lacs in winter that keeps pulling us back.
Byline: Sarah Kozlowski
Maybe it’s the knowledge that some truly big walleyes live beneath that clear water. Or maybe it’s optimism.
It could also be the thrill of the chase that fishing is built on in the first place.
This past weekend marked another return trip to Mille Lacs in partnership with Eddy’s Resort. What started as a single trip has quickly become a winter tradition for us. We first started coming here together in 2024. Since then we’ve been chasing fish, sharing meals, and getting into the friendly fun long ice weekend trips bring.
This was a non-paid collaboration trade of services and one we’re genuinely grateful for. Eddy’s Resort continues to be wonderful hosts.
Where We Stayed: Eddy’s Resort & Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Our weekend started at Grand Casino Mille Lacs on Friday night, where we were set up in a presidential-style suite. The Scandinavian suite stood out for its thoughtful design and amenities. It includes a private sauna, steam showers, soaking tubs, and a spacious living area with a wet bar and fireplace. With plenty of room to unwind, it was a comfortable and relaxing way to kick off the weekend. (disclosure: these rooms are not available for regular bookings, but sometimes can be booked in public limited-time offers)
Amenities matter on an ice fishing trip, and Grand Casino checked all the right boxes. Easy parking for trailered vehicles like our group with ATV and SxS trailers, quick access to the casino floor and dining, and proximity to west-side lake access all made logistics simple.
Saturday and Sunday nights were spent at Eddy’s Resort, where we transitioned into more of a classic ice fishing basecamp setup. Eddy’s continues to stand out for how welcoming and easy the experience feels. From friendly staff to convenient amenities, everything is geared toward anglers. There’s excellent parking for trailered vehicles here as well, quick access to multiple launches within 10–15 minutes, and if you stay at the resort, you receive complimentary access to their ice road. There’s also a restaurant (The Launch) downstairs with outstanding food!
A newer addition since our last visit was the self-serve vending area near the front desk. Snacks, light sandwiches, and drinks available via card or mobile pay were a small but very appreciated touch after long days outside.
One of the best perks of staying at Eddy’s is access to the casino pool and hot tub via shuttle. After hours on the ice, there’s nothing better than thawing out and unwinding with jets on a sore back and body.
We also spent a few hours in one of Eddy’s ice houses on Saturday. While the structure we were on didn’t produce much beyond small walleyes, having the option to fish comfortably for a stretch was a nice change of pace before moving on.
Friday: Early Arrival, First Fish, and a Casino Dinner
We fished Friday morning on nearby flats, then broke midday for a quick McDonald’s run and a stop at Tutt’s Bait to restock rainbows, fatheads, and sucker minnows. Friday night fishing followed, though results were similar to the morning. Small walleyes, plenty of flags, but nothing committing in size aside from one big girl caught by Jimmy.
Dinner that night was at 1991 Kitchen inside the casino, and it deserves a highlight of its own. We were comped a $200 dinner credit for the four of us and made the most of it. Prime rib for Jimmy, Jay, and myself, sirloin for Dori, plus deep-fried sweet potatoes, cheese curds, and desserts that included raspberry cheesecake and bread pudding. Every bite was finished, and our server was outstanding.
Saturday: Grinding It Out on the West Side
The morning bite was extremely tough. We saw a couple of flags and watched large fish cruise beneath us, but they simply would not commit. By the end of the morning, we had landed roughly 30 small walleyes, with little flag action and little payoff.
Sunday: Dividing, Conquering, and Fishing with Friends
Big fish were clearly present, but perhaps conditions made the bite unpredictable. Still, fishing alongside friends, sharing laughs, and working through the day together made it memorable regardless of results. The sunset didn’t disappoint either.
Monday: One Last Stop Before Heading Home
By Monday morning, we were beat. Three days of early mornings, late nights, and nonstop movement took its toll, so we opted to head home instead of fish.
We grabbed breakfast at Tobie’s in Hinckley (a travelers tradition!) on the way home and made a final stop at Grand Casino Hinckley, where we added another $200 win to the weekend. A fitting end to what we jokingly call our “Grand Casino story.”
Find the group on social: Sarah Kozlowski – https://www.instagram.com/skozlowskiii/ Dori Sell – https://www.instagram.com/dorii_sell/ Jimmy Sell – https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_sell/ Jay Kozlowski – https://www.instagram.com/jay_wilderness/
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