Fishing
If you are looking for things to do in Voyageurs National, it is particularly known for its abundant fishing opportunities, and Lake Kabetogama fishing is the finest example. Voyageurs National Park is host to Lakes Kabetogama and continuous Namakan; Sullivan’s Bay; Ash River; Rainy; Sandpoint; and the Canadian waterways. Fishing the quiet coves, shorelines and vast waterways are captivating. In just one outing, you will understand why families return year after year for delicious walleye, jumbo perch, slab black crappie, monster northern pike, largemouth & smallmouth bass, sturgeon, and panfish.
Minnesota Fishing License Online
Fishing Guides
Lake Kabetogama Fishing Report
Voyageurs National Park Visitor Centers
The Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center is open late May through mid-September and is a 1 mile, 20-minute walk from the resort.
Click this link to visit the National Parks Service site with information about the Voyageurs National Parks Visitor Centers.
In the summer of 2022, Voyageurs National Park will have a new tour boat – Ne-zho-dain (pronounced Knee-Zho-Dan) – based at the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center to serve park visitors. Tickets will become available for purchase on April 15th of each year for that summer’s tours, and we anticipate this is when tickets will become available for the Neh-zho dain. Tickets for the Neh-zho-dain and other Voyageurs National Park tours can be purchased by clicking this link to Recreation.gov.
Voyageurs National Park Highlights
Ellsworth Rock Gardens – “Showplace of Lake Kabetogama”; Only accessible by boat; Approximately 62 terraced flower beds were constructed on the granite outcrop that were filled with more than 13,000 lilies of four different varieties at the peak of the garden’s bloom.
Kettle Falls – Famous (infamous?) red roofed hotel owned and operated by the parks service, and is located in the National Park. Only accessible by boat.
I.W. Stevens Resort – The original home of the Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company retreat, Stevens Island was untouched by logging. This site preserves historic structures from the recreation and resort era of the 1930s. Also only accessible by boat.
Water Activities
- Boat rentals
- Beach
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Paddleboarding
- Swimming from the beach and the dock
- Floating Trampoline
Resort Recreation
- Playground
- Geocaching
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Bean Bag Toss
- Yard Games
- Campfire Stories
Sky Watching
Voyageurs National park was named an International Dark Sky Park in late 2020. The Pines of Kabetogama already has incredible views of the night sky (including the elusive Northern Lights), and in 2022, we are taking additional steps to reduce light pollution. Join us for some of the incredible celestial events of 2022!
- Northern Lights
- Meteors
- Celestial Events
Hiking
Throughout the estate are a series of scenic private roads and hiking trails that wind through the woods, rising to heights of more than 300 feet and culminating in breathtaking cliffside views of Lake Kabetogama. These roads and trails follow the same path that many deer, bears, and wolves created years ago while meandering through the woods on the estate.
Aside from a few benches placed at strategic locations, the local flora is left to its own ingenious devices. Walkers may admire an array of the region’s plants and trees as they walk the paths, where mighty white pine, ash, and majestic birch are plentiful. These give way to a beautiful meadow as the trail ascends to reveal panoramas of the Northwoods. You will also find Mother Nature’s gifts as you explore many of these trails. During mid-summer, the rock-overs are full of wild blueberries. Along many of the trails, you will also find wild strawberries and raspberries.
Voyageurs National Park lists 10 hiking trails accessible by land and 5 hiking trails water. Click here to learn more.
Animal Watching
Located 53 miles from the resort, the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, MN is a Black Bear sanctuary open from May 28th through September 4th, 2022.
The woods among The Pines of Kabetogama property are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Multiple species have been identified, and observant hikers may spot hummingbirds, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, finches, robins, and orioles. You may even enjoy the luxury of sighting a golden or bald eagle. The raptors love to hunt in the meadow. You will find falcons and hawks alike, teaching the young to hunt. Besides small birds, other wildlife that makes a home at the Pines of Kabetogama are bear, wolf, grouse, ducks, deer, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, fox, porcupine, and chipmunks. We also have several reptiles that amaze us with their presence. We have a variety of turtles, mostly snapping and painted, that make the journey cliffside to lay their eggs.
Area Restauants
Arrowhead Lodge [directions from resort] 14 min drive – Original log lodge restaurant & bar
Rocky Ledge [directions from resort] 5 min drive
The Blind Pig (Summer Only) [directions from resort] 5 min drive
Kec’s Kove [directions from resort] 11 min drive
Sandy Point [directions from resort] 13 min drive
Ray, MN
Boondocks Bar & Grill [directions from resort] 14 min drive
Ash River
Ash Trail Lodge [directions from resort] 20 min drive
Ash Ka Nam [directions from resort] 23 min drive
Frontier [directions from resort] 24 min drive
International Falls
Loony’s Brew Brewery [directions from resort] 34 min drive
Shopping
Gateway General Store [directions from resort] 7 min drive – bait, basic groceries, and gifts
Pine Ridge Gift Shop [directions from resort] 5 min drive – gifts and bakery goods and gifts. You can order pies for next-day pickup
Kab Outdoors [directions from resort] 5 min drive – bait, basic groceries, and gifts
Large Grocery Stores:
Country Market [directions] and Super One [directions from resort] 35 min drive to International Falls, MN
Zup’s Food Market [directions from resort] 55 mins drive to Cook, MN
There is a Walmart just across the US/Canada border in Fort Frances, Canada [directions from resort] Located in Canada; 44 min drive to Fort Frances, Canada
Museums
Koochiching County Museums [directions from resort] 34 min drive
Historical Museum
Galleries feature ten thousand years of borderland history. Exhibits document the northern Minnesota region including native history and culture, European settlement, and the exploitation of natural resources through the fur trade to modern forestry.
Bronko Museum
As any sportsman knows, Bronko Nagurski may have been the greatest football player of all time. The Bronko Nagurski Museum is a lasting tribute to this 1930’s sports legend. This is the only museum in America dedicated to this All American Gopher and NFL Hall of Fame Chicago Bear. Come and experience the early days of the NFL, and be inspired by this Football Legend!
Fort Frances Museum [directions from resort] Located in Canada; 41 min drive & a toll
The Fort Frances Museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets the artifacts that depict the story of man and nature as it relates to the history of Fort Frances and the surrounding Rainy River District.
Golfing
The River Golf Course [directions from resort] 35 min drive to International Falls
Kitchen Creek Golf Course [directions from resort] Located in Canada; 51 min drive & a toll
Heron Landing Golf Club [directions from resort] Located in Canada; 50 min drive & a toll
