NEST LAKE
Nest Lake outside of Spicer is one of my favorite fishing lakes, probably because I like catching smallmouth bass, and there are a lot of them there. I also like catching largemouths, walleyes, big crappies and bluegills, and there's no shortage of these either. A lot of vegetation, some quality structure and the lake is less than 1,000 acres, so you can find some good fishing spots real quickly.

A great resort on Nest Lake is Island View, which has a nice beach, comfortable cabins, and they'll let you bring your dog if he doesn't bark much or bite. Most resorts have a no-pet policy these days, so one where you can bring your best friend is hard to come by.

With your cabin you get the boats, the grill, the wood for the campfire and all kinds of other stuff, too. It's nice when you don't have to be surprised by a bunch of hidden charges at the end of the trip. That won't happen at Island View.

For more information, visit their Web site at www.islandviewresort-nestlake.com.

BOUNDARY WATERS
As far as I'm concerned, the best fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is out of Ely. The lakes in this neck of the woods are loaded with walleyes, big pike, smallmouth bass and you even stumble into the monster bluegills and crappies at times. One of the drawbacks to a trip to the BWCAW with family is the packing and portaging. It's not a fun thing to do with younger kids, and there's not a lot for them to do when limited to a wilderness campsite on a lake.

There is one way to enjoy what this area has to offer and not have to deal with the arduous task of a canoe-camping trip. Set up a base camp at one of the campgrounds or resorts just outside the BWCAW and make day trips into the Boundary Waters, or just enjoy the lake you're on.

The campground on Fall Lake is a great option, and the fishing on this body of water is great. You can easily portage into Basswood Lake where the fishing is second to none. Another nice camping spot is on Fenske Lake off the Echo Trail, with access to some wilderness locations from there.

If camping doesn't suit you, try one of the great resorts in the area. There are resorts that are on lakes that have direct access to the BWCAW or you can set up your stay at a resort that features all the amenities you need and take a day or two to explore the wilderness when the weather is pleasant.

For more information, check out Ely's Web site at www.ely.org.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BY BRAINERD
There are thousands of people who visit the Brainerd Lakes area each year for vacation. There's a lot for the family to do there, and the lakes in the region are touted as some of the best fishing spots in Minnesota. Few people think of Brainerd as a great location to go hang out on the Mississippi River, but they should. That section of the Mississippi has some of the finest fishing and is one of the most beautiful areas you will ever visit.

The resort that can accommodate your Mississippi River vacation near Brainerd is the Rugged River Resort. Once a logging camp, the resort is backed by 120 acres of unspoiled northwoods and fronted by more than 20 miles of slow moving overflows of the Mississippi River. The resort is only 1 1/2 miles from the Paul Bunyan biking, hiking and snowmobile trail, and you have the option of a cabin or camping at the campground or RV park. Pets are welcome there.

For more information, visit Rugged River's Web site at www.ruggedriverresort.com.