The Perfect Northern Minnesota Golf and Fishing Weekend Itinerary at Ludlow's

If you're the type of person who can't decide between spending the day on the golf course or out on the lake, the good news is you don't have to.

At Ludlow's Island Resort, you can do both. Starting later this fall on September 8, 2026, you will be able to enjoy the Island with new two-night stay options for Island cabins, making it easier than ever to sneak away for a long weekend of world-class fishing on Lake Vermilion, championship golf, and, of course, Northwoods relaxation.

To help you make the most of your time here, we've put together the ultimate Northern Minnesota stay & play itinerary, so all you have to do is get here!

Friday: Arrive and settle in to your Island lodging

As soon as you step onto the Ludlow’s shuttle to whisk you away to the Island, your ultimate golf and fishing weekend has begun!

Our staff will handle your luggage and deliver it to your cabin, allowing you to begin relaxing immediately and settle into one of our 19 unique cabins. 

Some of our favorite cabins for a weekend getaway? 

Sun Up is always a great choice. This two-bedroom, two-bath has everything you need for a day or two away. This cozy cabin is also only 30 feet from the water, perfect for throwing a line in, not to mention this spot comes with spectacular views of the sunrise and a beautiful stone fireplace to keep warm when the sun goes down.

Bayside is also a favorite for a fishing-focused trip. With its own private dock, you can enjoy fishing day, noon, or night. This more secluded cabin also sits next to a small bay teeming with waterfowl, beaver, and mink!

If you have a big group for the weekend, Stardust offers ample room with five bedrooms and four baths. And sitting just 15 feet from the water’s edge, you’ll enjoy prime fishing access and a spectacular vantage point to soak in a famous Lake Vermilion sunset.

Golden Hour Round

Now that you’re settled into your cabin, you’re probably ready to hit the links.

If you’re itching to get out onto the fairway, head to Vermilion Fairways Golf Course. Only a 5-minute drive from the resort, this par-36, 9-hole course is the perfect warm-up set against a stunning, Northwoods backdrop. Boasting wide, relatively flat bent-grass fairways that allow plenty of room to land your tee shots along with mostly flat greens, the course is ideal for beginners or for those looking to practice their skills.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge off the bat, Wolfridge Golf Course is your course. Just a quick 30-minute drive away, this serene 9- or 18-hole course is known for its rugged terrain, challenging play, and reversible layout. You’ll be surrounded by towering pines, wildlife, more than 30 water hazards, and gorgeous glacial rock outcroppings.

A truly unique experience you won’t get in the cities.
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The First Cast

Rather get out on the water your first night?

First stop is our Bait & Tackle Shop. Located on the island, our shop offers a great selection of fishing gear to get you stocked up and ready to go. You can also ask the staff all your fishing and lake questions, including if you need to purchase your fishing license. While we recommend getting your license online beforehand so you can get out on the lake immediately, you can purchase your license at the resort in the main building.

Once you’re all geared up, you can try your luck right off our docks. All fish caught off our docks are released, so there are always plenty to catch, and it’s a perfect spot if you have young kids or beginner anglers in your group!

For your first night, if you want to stay close to the resort, packing up your fishing gear and taking out one of our free canoes is a fantastic way to start your Northern Minnesota fishing experience. Go slow, drop a line, and soak in the gorgeous Lake Vermilion scenery. If you’d rather head out exploring right away, we have a great selection of boat rentals available. 

Depending on the size of your party, you can rent a small or large fishing boat. Our large fishing boats come fully equipped with 90–150hp motors, Terrova trolling motors, and Lowrance GPS and graphs, designed to help you pinpoint where the fish are biting. Our small fishing boats feature 20hp tiller motors and depth finders, making them ideal for exploring the lake and casting a line.

For a larger group, or if you have some people who just want to come along for the ride, one of our pontoons are the perfect choice, which also feature 90–150hp motors, depth finders, and GPS. Our Premier SS PTX 300hp Cruising Triple-toon is a great choice if you also want to enjoy some swimming, tubing, and skiing. It comes with a comfortable bench, captain's chair, seating for 12-15, along with GPS navigation, depth finder, tow post, canopy, and swim ladder. 

Grab a Bite

If you had luck fishing your first night and want to grill up your catch, check out our Island Recipes here. The Grilled Walleye with Mango Salsa is really good!

Otherwise, you can grab a bite at The Lakeside Bar and Grill. Just 10 miles from the resort, this restaurant sits right on the water where you can enjoy great food and a fantastic lakeside vibe. Another great lakeside choice is The Vermilion Club, offering up a more casual, laid-back atmosphere with American-style cuisine.

Before heading back to Ludlow’s, we recommend making a stop at the local grocery store, Zup’s, to stock up on groceries, snacks, and weekend essentials, including the all-important s’mores supplies!

Each cabin at Ludlow’s comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, grill, and fire pit, making it easy to whip up a meal. There is a small grocery and pantry on the island that carries a limited selection of food, non-alcoholic beverages, sundries, and bags of ice. But if there’s a favorite snack or special treat you don’t want to go without, Zup’s is the place to grab it.

Relax and Unplug

After dinner, head back to your cabin to relax and unwind. Our best advice? Get the outdoor fire pit going with your favorite beverage in hand and soak in the peaceful Northwoods surroundings. 

Saturday: The Ultimate Fishing & Golf Day

Saturday starts bright and early with a guided fishing trip on Lake Vermilion. Especially during peak summer months, fishing is best when the water is cooler in the mornings or early evenings.

But, before you head out on the water, you’ll want to get fueled up! Take advantage of your cabin’s full kitchen and whip up your own breakfast, or if you prefer to go out, Rose Cottage Baking Co. in nearby downtown Cook is a delicious bakery and café known for its delectable homemade treats, including pastries, breads, and specialty scones. T Pattenn Cafe is also a great breakfast joint, serving up classic plates like pancakes, omelettes, and French toast.

Guided Fishing Trip on Lake Vermilion

Lake Vermilion is a phenomenal lake for fishing walleye, crappies, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass, along with panfish like sunfish, perch, and bluegills.

However, Lake Vermilion stretches 40 miles with over 40,000 acres, 365 islands, and 1200 miles of shoreline. It’s a big lake. Having a local expert and guide to show you where the best fishing spots are will take your fishing trip to the next level and ensure you have success on the lake.

We’ll set you up with an expert, local fishing guide who will take you out for either a 2-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, or 8-hour guided fishing trip. Whether you’re an expert angler yourself or just learning the basics, your guide is a great resource who knows the lake inside and out. They’ll share great tips and techniques, answer all your questions, and point you toward the best bays for the type of fish you’re hoping to reel in. 

We highly recommend a guided trip, so when you strike out on your own later, you’ll know exactly where to go and the best tricks to catch one. 

Lunch Break

After your fishing trip, head back to shore for some lunch. Enjoy lunch on your cabin’s deck or pack a picnic to enjoy at the beach or on one of our swinging benches. Take some time to relax and soak in the beautiful scenery.

Afternoon Activities

When the afternoon heat sets in, it's the perfect time to take advantage of all the activities Ludlow’s has to offer. Escape into the shade of the Northwoods with a stroll along our one-mile hiking trail, or cool off with a dip in the lake.

If you're feeling more adventurous, take out a paddleboard or hydrobike and explore the shoreline. Or simply grab a book and a cold drink and settle in on the beach. 

Tee Time

After an afternoon respite, it’s time to tee off at one of the Iron Range’s premier golf courses. 

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is one of our favorites. Only a 35-minute drive to the neighboring town of Tower, this award-winning 18-hole course, designed by renowned golf course architect Jeffrey D. Brauer, is carved from the surrounding landscape right on the shores of Lake Vermilion, offering some of the most breathtaking views and beautiful panoramas of the lake. 

For more championship golf, The Legend and The Quarry courses at Giants Ridge are not to miss. The Legend features bent-grass fairways, white sand bunkers, lakes, giant boulders, and towering trees, while The Quarry offers a different challenge, built on the site of an old sand/gravel and iron ore mining operation. Which course should you play? Both. Play both. Giants Ridge offers a 36-Hole Special, allowing you to play both courses in one day with lunch included between rounds. 

For dinner, enjoy a meal at the clubhouse. If you play at The Wilderness, their onsite restaurant, The Wilderness Grill, offers a delicious menu, including their walleye dinner and prime rib. The Wilderness golf course is also located right by Fortune Bay Resort Casino, where you can dine 

at their new Mino Grill, Aki Bistro, or at their North Star Bar.

If you’re golfing at Giants Ridge, their Burnt Onion & Brews dinner menu serves up fresh handhelds, house-seasoned steaks, and great vegetarian and gluten-free options. They also offer an exclusive chef-curated Chophouse Menu that rotates dishes monthly.

Relax at Ludlow’s

After a long day on the links and exploring the area, you’re probably ready to relax and recharge so you can get in one more catch or one round of golf the next morning before heading home. 

With the serene, quiet surroundings at Ludlow’s, enjoy a drink with friends on your deck, watch the sun set and the stars come out. Fire up the outdoor fire pit one last time with some s’mores, and then head to bed so you’re ready for your last morning on the Island.

*Pro Tip: If you prefer early morning tee times or are interested in playing the 36-Hole Special at Giants Ridge, we recommend swapping your golf outing to the morning and moving your Guided Fishing Trip to the late afternoon.

Sunday: One More Time

Enjoy an early breakfast in your cabin or pack a breakfast for the boat, because you’re ready for one more outing on the lake! Nothing quite beats fishing at sunrise on Lake Vermilion. Take out one of our fishing boats or pontoons and put into practice all the tips your fishing guide shared. After reeling in your last catch of the day, head back to shore to pack up your cabin and get ready to hit the road.

On your way back to the cities, we recommend one more stop for a last round of golf. The Virginia Golf Course is right on the route home and features a newly remodeled 18-hole course with mature pine trees, water hazards, and sand traps. For a quick round on the way home, stop at Eveleth Golf Course. This 9-hole course plays along St. Mary’s Lake and is one of the most scenic and challenging courses on the Iron Range.

After your final round and you’re headed home, know you can keep the vacation going. We have a ton of great pit stop recommendations for the drive back, from favorite must-try local restaurants, unique sweet treats, and fun roadside attractions. Check them out here!  

So, ready for a weekend chasing walleye, chasing birdies, or rather, a lot of both?! From sunrise fishing on Lake Vermilion to afternoons on the fairway and evenings around the fire, Ludlow’s offers the perfect Northwoods getaway. 

And after a few days of serene mornings of fishing on the water, pristine fairways, and laid-back island vibes, chances are you’ll already be planning your next Northern Minnesota golf and fishing getaway.

Book Your Weekend Getaway at Ludlow's

With countless hidden Lake Vermilion fishing spots to uncover, another round of best-in-class golf to play, and one more Northwoods sunset waiting for you, Ludlow’s is the kind of place that keeps calling you back long after you've headed home.