Five Unique Adventures on Fish Trap Lake

You’ve planned a trip to central Minnesota and are staying on Fish Trap Lake – but what will you do? Relax on the shore, listen to the loons, read…but your legs are antsy, and your soul longs for adventure.

Welcome to Fish Trap Lake! Surrounding the dead center of Minnesota is over 1,160 acres of water, fish, loons, and a myriad of bugs and botanical wonders. We here at Campfire Bay Resort are very lucky to call it home – and many of our guests have come to call it their second home! And while the old pastimes of card games, sitting around a fire, and so forth are still lovely, every once in a while the desire for something new pops up. If you happen to be with us when you suddenly get that urge, here are five unique adventures to undertake on our lake!

Kayak to Lake Alex

At the far end of our lake (in relation to the resort), there’s a small creek running through reeds. This is the inlet that connects us to Lake Alexander! Grab yourself a life jacket, a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, and set off across the lake. The passage itself is gorgeous, with reeds and clear water where a simple glance over the side will show you life teaming among the cattails. There have been reports of frogs, turtles, and little fish swimming beneath watercraft and into the murky roots and mud walls around you. It’s a quiet, unique adventure we’re glad to have.

Go Bird Watching

While this isn’t an entirely unique adventure, we have a large and diverse population of birds that makes it worth it. Take yourself out on a paddle board, canoe, kayak, or other slow, man-powered lake-faring vessel and embark on a journey around the lake. Going about in slow-moving, quiet modes of transportation is much less disturbing to the wildlife. While staying a safe distance, you can spot osprey, blue herons fishing, loons diving, and families of various waterfowl adventuring on our lake. It’s a lovely, quiet expedition to embark on.

As always, be smart, be safe, and don’t do anything to stress or antagonize the creatures you encounter! Be a good visitor to their home.

Scuba Dive the Buffalo Run

The bison we know today as native to the Great Plains were not the first kind of bison here. Just as the dire wolves bred with other canids to form modern wolves, bison are the smaller descendants of Bison Antiquus. These beasts were about 7.5 feet tall, with longer horns and larger skulls. It was this skull that was found in 1967 right here in Fish Trap Lake.

Bill Matthies was hired to dive for a lost motor one day. Instead, he found a human skull that likely washed out of the cliffs above and into the lake. But this individual was not alone. They were found in a boneyard of sorts, and most of the animal remains were of this ancient bison. While a few things have been removed by the historical society, you can still scuba down there and see the remains of a herd that likely ran off the cliff above it. If you need a dive shop, stop by Bill’s own place – Minnesota School of Diving!

Hone Your Fishing Skills

We here at Campfire Bay are so lucky to have a large variety of fantastic fish. From bass to crappie to Muskie, you’re sure to catch something delicious! Except the Rock Bass, those guys are…not great.

Grab your tackle box and pole, decide on a fish to aim for, and hone your skills! Part of the fun of fishing is leaning, so get out there! If you’re looking to learn some new stuff, book a fishing guide! We have a few we work with, like Minnesota Fishing Guide Service and Crooked Hat Guide Service, who do wonderful work.

Get Launched off the Blob

In the swimming area of our little resort is a water trampoline. Attached to it is what we call the Blob. Use it to launch your brother, sister, kids, nieces, nephews, and more! While it’s perhaps a little lacking in the “adventure” department of unique adventures, trust us when we say that getting launched is thrilling!

Well there you have it! Five unique adventures (or adventurous things to try) on Fish Trap Lake. We hope to see you embarking on such a journey soon!