Spider Lake is only 1,400 acres, so you can master the lake's bottom in just a few days. There are loads of sunfish and perch to keep the kids happy, and northern pike, muskies and walleyes can create a challenge for the big kid, which would be you. The smallmouth fishing can be outstanding when you find a school of these great fighters.

Contact Spider Shores Resort at (218) 326-2031, or check out their Web site at www.spidershoresresort.com.

ARROWWOOD RESORT
It wouldn't be fair not to feature a resort that doesn't have everything for the family, and more.

Arrowwood Resort is the perfect family fishing road trip because the facility is on the Alexandria Chain of Lakes. This group of lakes has some of the most diverse fishing potential of anywhere in Minnesota. All of the lakes on the chain have outstanding bass and pike fishing. Le Homme Dieu Lake has great crappie fishing and some of the biggest sunfish on the chain. Lake Carlos has loads of walleyes, and its classic walleye structure just calls for a leech on a live-bait rig. Lake Darling, where the resort is located, has some of the best big-pike fishing in the region. Take your own boat and leave it at their docks, and plan on exploring a different lake each day.

Should the kids need something to do, there's the huge water park that can keep them busy for some time. There are two 18-hole putting courses. There are tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, riding stables and some open grassy areas.

"Don't forget to mention the two swimming pools," said Jeff Wild, the director of operations at Arrowwood. "One pool is indoors and one is outdoors. We cater to the family that wants a place where there is something for everyone. We have a great restaurant and bar, and if you need to check your e-mail, you can use our computer, or we have wireless access. You won't find anything missing at the Arrowwood."

You can contact the Arrowwood Resort at (320) 762-1124. Visit their Web site at www.arrowwoodresort.com.

* * *

I need to reflect on the statement by Mike Lantry from White Eagle Resort. He said that a fishing resort is a good place for families to connect. I have six brothers and a sister, and for many years in our youth, Dad and Mom would pile us into the station wagon and head up to Westridge Shores Resort on Lake Mary near Alexandria. We met other kids and caught fish with Dad in the boat and Mom off the dock. Dad would go out chasing pike and walleyes for a couple of hours with a couple of us kids and then come back to switch kids for a couple more hours. Mom would sit on the dock in her lawn chair while soaking up the sun and pulling in sunfish and perch. When we weren't in the boat, we were hanging out with Mom or some of the other kids who were at that resort.

What is interesting is years later when my family gets together for holidays or reunions, one of my siblings will always bring up these family fishing outings and we will reminisce with great joy in our experiences. It's that connection Lantry described and it can never be broken. It'll make you feel good, too!