Here's the dealio...I'm moving to the Cities over the July 1 weekend, kind of.  I'm actually moving my wife up from Chicago, staying through the next weekend, and then coming back to work in Chicago for a while before moving myself up.

So, I'll be in the Cities for a little over a week, I and I think I ought to do some fishing before coming back to Chicago.  Any suggestions?  Looking for a little nearby solitude, and perhaps some decent fishing.  A canoe/boat rental would be nice, but I can also rent an REI boat and bring it with me.

ab

solitude?... near the Cities?... are you kidding?... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Old Salt go easy you'll hurt somebody's ears.
Here's a tip: everybody from the twin cities who wants to find peace and solitude heads to Wisconsin.

OK, obviously a different standard for peace and quiet than here.  I consider the neighborhood we're moving into a peaceful getaway from where I live now.

ab,

Ok, as Kingfisher said, if you want solitude, head to Wisconsin.

If you want fish, stay in Minnesota. ;)

if you want both, head to Canada.

ab,

I recently saw a Tony Dean show and he was catching really nice smallmouth out of the Mississippi River near downtown. The river looks relatively placid, though I don't know about current and if you'd be safe in a canoe. Solitude it aint, but the fishing is good.

The Beaver

minneapolis IS the city of lakes afterall....the lakes in mpls (calhoun, harriet, etc are motor free AND  have good fishing.  you just have to dodge the sailboats. :)  Jan

Thanks all.  I think I'll stay close to home, and try the lakes around town.

I live north of the cities by an hour and a half but I have canoed down there as well.  There is a wonderful park called Lebanon  Hills.  It has lakes and portages.  Few people use this park for its fine canoeing.  I met some people from another board there to canoe and at the end there is a great picnic building!  We were able to catch lots of sunnies and some small bass.  The portages are short and flat.   Here is a link to the park:
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More by our house we spend a lot of time on the Rum river and almost never see anyone there.  There is also a some canoe only lakes, in the cities but I can't remember where at the moment.