Beauty Bay Lodge & Resort, Nevis

I am 22 years old, and have been vacationing with my family to Lake Belle Taine in Nevis, Minnesota my entire life. We spend two weeks each year up on the lake fishing, swimming, and having a good time. I have fallen in love with this place - it is the only place in this world where I feel like I am truely at home. For those who don't know, Lake Belle Taine is a sand-bottom, crystal-clear glacier lake. The water clarity has been estimated at around 19 feet and at one time it was in the top in the state for water clarity- not bad considering it is competing with more than 10,000 other lakes. When it comes to the fishing, it is an excellent bass and crappie lake. We have caught several monster bass over the years, with the biggest being a 6 1/2 pounder! As far as northern pike and walleye go, these species seem to go up and down between good and bad years. The bluegill fishing is fairly average, but you can still find some nice 'gills during early spring and late fall. If you ever get frustrated with the fishing on Belle Taine, there are over 100 lakes within a 10-mile radius of Nevis. The people and service at Beauty Bay Lodge are second to none. Tim, the owner, and his wife run a terriffic operation. On Wednesdays of every week, Tim hosts a resort-wide fish fry- it's a real treat! As well as being a great host, Tim is an avid outdoorsman. He knows the lake like the back of his hand, and offers advice and tips on where and how to hook into some nice fish on Lake Belle Taine. If you are looking to start an addiction to northern Minnesota fishing, this is the place to go. Look, other people can go to Florida or Hawaii to "relax". Their idea of relaxation is to go to a beach packed with people and squeeze their towel onto some sand. I don't like dealing with masses of people- I do it nearly everyday for 50 weeks out of the year. I'm glad they go to those places- that just gives me more room to stretch out and enjoy the sound of crystal-clear lapping water, the wild call of loons, and the sight of pine and birch trees swaying overhead.