View our most frequently asked questions below about the lake, our cabins, the resort, and fishing on Lake Kabetogama. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, please get in touch!
Ka-buh-toe-ga-muh
Lake Kabetogama is nearly 26,000-acres in size, which is part of Voyageurs National Park. The lake has numerous bays and more than 200 islands. It reaches a maximum depth of 80 feet and has on average a water clarity of 9 feet. There is a lot of structure in the lake for fish.
We do not have a private launch available on site. There is a public launch less than 0.5mi down the road from the resort that you may use to launch your boat. You can park your trailer at the resort as directed.
Directions: From Hwy 53 follow Gamma Rd north for 6.4 miles to Ness Rd. Take Ness Rd east for 0.3 miles to access.
Check-in is from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday at Kab Outdoors (about a 1 ½ miles before the resort at 9634 Gamma Road). Check-out is by 9 a.m. on Saturday. We have 20 cabins to clean, a fleet of rental boats to prepare, and grounds to get ready for you in a short window of time on Saturdays. Please refrain from arriving before the scheduled check-in time. It is greatly appreciated. If you are going to be checking in later than 7 p.m. on Saturday, please let us know.
The cabins have a refrigerator with freezer, oven with stovetop, microwave, coffee pot, and toaster. The kitchen is fully stocked with all the necessary utensils, plates, bowls, cups, mugs, pots and pans. Toilet paper and garbage bags are also provided. Broom and dustpan (and vacuums in some cabins). If you bring toilet paper (you do NOT need to), it must be septic safe. Wi-Fi and TV (local channels) are available in each smoke-free cabin.
All linens and towels – You will need to bring your own bedding (sheets, pillowcases, and blankets or sleeping bags). Bath and kitchen towels.
You will also need to bring bath/kitchen soap, food/beverages for the week, containers for leftovers, and fishing gear. If you’re bringing your own boat, remember bumpers and a short extension cord for your electronics (we have power at each dock slip).
Pets are allowed in certain cabins. There is a $150 charge per pet for the week. While at the resort, dogs must be on a leash and all excrement must be taken care of by the guest. Pets are NOT allowed in the premier cabins (Cabin 13, Walleye and Moose). There is a dog kennel in International Falls.
Most cabins have a charcoal grill. Grills should not be moved to the decks as they can (and have) led to deck fires. There is also a community Blackstone grill available for use on the pool deck.
Deposits are non-refundable if the trip is cancelled 12 weeks or less prior to the scheduled stay, unless we are able to re-rent the cabin. If we are able to find a new renter for your originally scheduled time, a refund will be mailed to you minus processing fees.
In addition to cabin and boat rentals, we have ice, bait and boat fuel. At the Kab Outdoors store just down the road, you can get additional bait, tackle, fishing licenses, clothing, souvenirs, camping and fishing gear, groceries, liquor, and tobacco. There is also a coffee bar, a full service ice cream parlor, an ATM, firewood, propane and ice.
We currently have a fleet of rental boats. The boats are rigged and ready for fishing and include GPS, iPilot, 24V trolling motor, pedestal seats, electronics and live wells.
We have a swim up dock and steps to access the lake. There’s a deck with picnic tables for moms and dads watching their kids swim. We also have a large, heated swimming pool that overlooks Lake Kabetogama. We do NOT have life guards on duty. You can bring your own water toys as well. Jet skis are not allowed on Lake Kabetogama.
We have a large protected harbor for your boat. Each cabin comes with at least one dock slip. Additional dock slips are $100 for the week. Two dock slips come with cabins 13, Moose and Walleye. The dock staff will assist you with getting in/out of the boat slip, getting your bait, gas and ice for you and will fillet your fish. We have electric hook-up for you as well. The dock staff greatly appreciate tips.
There are two designated fire rings in the resort. Approved firewood must be purchased locally as a requirement of Voyageurs National Park. Firewood is available at Kab Outdoors.
The nearest laundry facility is located in International Falls, approximately 25 miles north of the resort.
If you’re venturing out on the lake, you can take a short boat ride to Ellsworth Rock Gardens, a picnic area that features rock sculptures and flowers. Or you can take a 26 mile boat ride to Kettle Falls, a historic landmark that features a hotel, bar and restaurant built in the 1800s (this is boat-in only). There are also several smaller lakes that you can boat, then hike to, which feature other fish species.
In the evening (except Mondays), you can head south to Orr and visit the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary where you can watch a variety of bears that come in to feed at night thanks to volunteers from all over the world. There is a golf course in International Falls (25 miles) and one in Cook (45 miles). International Falls also has a movie theater and some shopping venues.
There are several restaurants in and around the lake as well as in Ray and International Falls.
There are plenty of hills in the area which make for great walking, running and biking experiences.
You can either purchase your fishing license at check-in at the Kab Outdoors store or purchase it online through the MN DNR online license portal.
The slot limit for walleye is 18-26” (any fish caught in that range must be released immediately). Only one over 26″ is allowed in posession. You can have a combination limit of six walleye/sauger in your possession, however you can only have a maximum of four walleye (the slot does not apply to sauger).
The possession limit for northern pike is two with a 30-40” slot (any fish caught in this range must be released immediately). You may have only one over 40” in posession.
The possession limit for smallmouth bass is 6, jumbo perch is 20 per day (40 total), crappie is 10, and there is no slot size restrictions for any of these species.
For more information on other species and important details regarding season openings and closures, please review the current MN DNR fishing regulations.
*NOTICE: The slots and possession limits can be updated at anytime and the information above may be incorrect. You MUST review the current MN DNR Fishing regulations to confirm before heading onto the water.
Our flat rate is all-inclusive. There are no additional fees for bait or gas. We will take you fishing on Kabetogama so that you can learn the lake you are staying on. Bring your GPS or lake map and feel free to mark spots. We want you to catch fish after your guide trip as well. We have the only northern pike guide on the lake. We also offer a 2-hour navigational only trip, as well as lake tours. Tips are greatly appreciated.
Any other questions, please give us a call at 218-875-3841 or email us at driftwoodlodgeresort@gmail.com.
