"We have one of the top walleye lakes in the state," said Heather Ulrich-Glynn from the Lake Benton Convention & Visitors Bureau in Lincoln County. She is, of course, referring to Lake Benton, a shallow lake that is stocked heavily by the Department of Natural Resources. Benton maintains that walleye population through the winter months with the benefit of aeration.

"Because we're not well known, it's a nice and quiet place to vacation," Ulrich-Glynn said. "People who know about this lake like it because it's not that well known. Those that have heard about it always want to try it. You can fish right off the docks and catch walleyes."

Exploring the area is another pastime Ulrich-Glynn recommends to those coming for a vacation. She said there is plenty of history in this region.

"We have a historic 1896 opera house, we have several antique and specialty shops, and there are some great local artists in Lake Benton," she said. "For a town of 700, there's plenty to see, and everyone should visit the coffee shop in the old jail building. You can take pictures there in the old cast-iron jail."

Hikers will appreciate the options.

"We have The Nature Conservancy, which has taken 800 acres and turned it into a natural area that is home to some of the rarest butterflies in Minnesota," Ulrich-Glynn said. "One is known as the Dakota Skipper. You can hike through the area and check out the unique butterflies and wildflowers and natural grasses. It is located just south of Lake Benton. There is also the Hole-In-The Wall park, which is 800 acres of hiking. There's an old log cabin there, places where people were buried in a blizzard and a lot of Indian artifacts."

For more information, visit their Web site at www.co.lincoln.mn.us, or call (507) 694-1138.

KOHL'S RESORT
After an early morning of casting and reeling in fish, how about a massage to get those kinks out your aching muscles? That's an option at Kohl's Resort on Big Turtle Lake by Bemidji -- that and plenty of other activities for spouses and kids.

"On Thursday, it's massages," said Kohl's owner Jim Eickorst "On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are canoe trips out on the Mississippi River. There is family bingo, two ice-cream socials and minnow racing."

The anglers will likely spend much of their time exploring the three lakes accessible from the resort -- Big Turtle, Little Turtle and Movil. All three lakes are considered outstanding for walleyes, bass and pike.

"There is a lot of structure on the lake," Eickorst said. "You'll find 47-foot holes, sunken islands and three actual islands on the lake, so the structure is up, the structure is down, and there is a lot of it. Most of the lake is surrounded by weeds, so that allows for great habitat for natural reproduction of the fish."

There is also some good fishing on the nearby Mississippi River, and that is an option even if you don't have the equipment yourself.

"On Tuesdays," Eickorst said, "when we get done with the minnow racing, we load up anyone that wants to go and we go to the Mississippi River. I put them on the river. I then drive to a camp area and get a fire going. The canoers come down to me. We then have lunch at the fire, and after we're done eating, it's back to the river where they canoe for another hour-and-a-half and then I meet them at the end of the trip. Everything is provided. On the river, you can catch muskies, northern pike, trout -- it's a nice section of river."

For more information, visit their Web site at www.kohlsresort.com, or call 1-800-336-4384.