Do you know what the Minnesota state fish is?
If you do not know the answer, you will after this Minnesota adventure in Chisago County on Old Highway 61. Plan on spending the entire day outdoors enjoying the warm summer weather in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The highlight of the day is Fish Lake Park and Beach, the most popular lake in Chisago County, which provides activities for all ages and interests. Visitors enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, volleyball, picnicking, and building sand castles to name a few common activities.
Make sure to bring bug spray, sunscreen, snacks or a picnic lunch, water, fishing gear, swimsuits and towels, and water toys.
At the end of the day, you will have one heck of a fish tale to share.
World’s Largest Walleye
The first stop is at the World’s Largest Walleye in Rush City. Rush City is located approximately 2 hours north of the Twin Cities on Old Highway 61. The 2,000-pound walleye was hooked by Minnesota’s most well-known resident, Paul Bunyan.
Check out the stats on the sign next to the gigantic walleye. In addition to being interesting, the information might just come in handy when playing a game of trivia pursuit.
Don’t forget to take a selfie with the World’s Largest Walleye. To ensure good pictures, try to snap photos during the golden hours; the hour after sunrise, and the hour before sunset. Don’t forget to smile!
Fish Lake Premium
Before heading out to Fish Lake Park & Beach for a day of family fun, stop at Fish Lake Premium, a bait and tackle shop. Guaranteed to be a memorable and fun experience.
Kids will enjoy seeing and touching the live bait (silvery minnows and black slimy leeches), and looking at the mounted fish and stuffed animals (not stuffed toys). Ask the clerk to hold the slimy black leeches.
Parents can purchase any forgotten fishing gear, including live bait, life jackets, snacks, and bottled water. Purchase a Harris Minnesota souvenir t-shirt as a memento of your trip on Old Highway 61.
Before you enter the store, you will notice the big handwritten Self-Serve sign and the white commercial sinks with running water by the entrance. As you get closer, you will hear running water and want to stop and peek in the sinks. If the store is closed, live bait is available in the sinks for purchase on the honor system. There is a lockbox next to the sinks for your money.
Fish Lake Park & Beach
The kids will be anxious to get out of the car as soon as you arrive at Fish Lake Park and Beach, located just minutes outside of Harris.
Visitors can choose to fish, boat, swim, play volleyball (nets provided), horseshoes (horseshoes not provided), softball, hike, play in the sand, sit in a lawn chair and read, enjoy a picnic lunch, or do all of the above.
It is easy to lose track of time at Fish Lake Park and Beach, so make sure to lather yourself and the kids in sunscreen as soon as you arrive.
Cornerstone Pub and Prime
After spending a full day outside in the sun, everyone is bound to be hungry, so head over to Wyoming for dinner at the Cornerstone Pub and Prime, located in one of the town’s historic buildings listed on one of the community’s historic walking tours.
Order their delicious fried walleye dinner with a fresh garden salad and crispy golden brown french fries. The fries are served in the cutest little black wire basket, and the walleye is so big that it hangs over the side of the plate. The white meat is flaky and firm, and it will melt in your mouth.
If you prefer red meat, try the Angus prime rib. The serving is extra thick and cooked to perfection.
P.S. The cheese curds are delicious.
Thank you to Old Highway 61 for hosting our visit. It was everything you said and more.
I’m often to running a blog and i actually appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and hold checking for brand new information.
Thank you very much for connecting with me. I really appreciate your interest in my blog articles. Have a great day!