Kohl’s Resort Review: Family Fishing Resort Near Bemidji, MN

I’ve traveled all over the continent chasing big fish, but there is nothing I love more than a trip the whole family gets to come on.

This summer we packed up everyone, young kids, grandparents and all, and spent our family vacation at Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake in northern Minnesota. If you’re planning a Minnesota lake vacation with the whole family, bookmark this spot immediately.

Kohl’s is the rare family-friendly Minnesota resort that genuinely keeps everyone entertained, from toddlers to grandparents. The kids had a HUGE inflatable water park on the lake, a sandy beach, an indoor pool, mini golf and an ice cream shop. The adults had a beach bar with frozen drinks right on the sand. And the cabins were big and spacious, which you need when you’re traveling with this many little kids.

And the fishing? Phenomenal, and literally right next to the resort. My 3-year-old daughter reeled in a smallmouth bass on a panfish rod, plus a giant 10-inch sunfish.

Family vacation photo by the docks at Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake in northern Minnesota — The whole crew at Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake.

Kohl’s Resort at a Glance

Where: Big Turtle Lake, about 12 miles north of Bemidji, Minnesota
Best for: Families with young kids, trips with the grandparents, and anglers who want to fish without leaving the family behind
For the kids: Inflatable water park on the lake, sandy beach, indoor pool, playground, mini golf and an ice cream shop
For the adults: A beach bar with frozen drinks and spacious lakefront cabins
What we caught: Panfish, big bass and the occasional walleye
When we went: Late summer

Where Is Kohl’s Resort?

Kohl’s Resort is on Big Turtle Lake, about 12 miles north of Bemidji in northern Minnesota. Big Turtle is around 1,600 acres and part of the Turtle River chain of lakes, so there is plenty of water to explore if you bring the boat.

The resort has 23 cabins and two poolside suites, and it’s open year-round. The best part is that everything is right there. The cabins, the beach, the docks, the pool and the food are all on one property, so once you park you really don’t need to go anywhere.

Why the Fishing Is Perfect for Kids

When I take little kids fishing, I’m not worried about what species we’re catching. I just want them getting bites. A tug on the line is what gets them hooked.

That’s exactly what we found here. We caught plenty of fish literally right next to the resort, including panfish, big bass and of course the occasional walleye. My daughter even reeled in a GIANT 10-inch sunfish, and then came the smallmouth on her panfish rod.

Young girl holding a big sunfish caught on Big Turtle Lake near Kohl’s Resort in Minnesota — Big Turtle Lake sunfish. This is what keeps kids fishing.

Having fish that close to the dock is a bigger deal than it sounds. With little ones you only get so long before somebody needs a snack, a nap or a bathroom, and a long boat ride eats that up fast. Here you can fish, run in for a break and get right back out.

Late Summer Fishing on Big Turtle Lake

Late summer is a great time for a family fishing trip in northern Minnesota. The water is warm, the weather is easy on the kids and the panfish and bass are biting.

Big Turtle Lake fishing has a little of everything. The resort lists walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, perch and crappie. That’s perfect for a family trip, because the kids can stay busy with sunfish while the adults pick off a few bass and walleyes in the same spots.

A few things that make fishing with little kids go a lot smoother:

Go light. A panfish rod is easy for small hands, and every fish feels like a giant on it.
Keep it simple. A small jig or plain hook with a piece of crawler under a bobber will catch just about everything in the lake. If you want to try plastics, here are 5 ways I rig soft plastics for crappie and bluegill.
Stay close. Start right by the resort before you go running all over the lake.
Keep it short. An hour of catching beats four hours of sitting. Head in while they’re still having fun.
Bring snacks. Lots of snacks. And life jackets, always.

I go through my whole light gear setup for panfish in another post if you want the details.

Don’t Want to Haul the Boat?

You don’t have to. Kohl’s rents fishing boats and pontoons, and the resort says they come rigged with a trolling motor, fish finder and livewell. A pontoon is a great way to go with a big family because there is room for everyone.

They also have gas, bait and a fish cleaning station right there, and they can set you up with a local fishing guide if you’d rather have somebody put you on fish.

The Beach, the Lake Water Park and Everything Else for Kids

Once the rods are put away, the fun doesn’t stop. This is what makes Kohl’s so different from your typical fishing resort. The kids can hit the outdoor water park, swim in the pool, play on the huge beach or challenge the family to a round of mini golf.

Dad and daughter on the water trampoline at the lake water park at Kohl’s Resort, a family resort near Bemidji, MN

Grandma and little kids playing in the water at the sandy beach at Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake

The real star of the show? The water park. It’s a huge inflatable setup right on the lake with obstacles, a water trampoline and slides, and it wasn’t just the kids out there jumping on it.

Here’s everything else:

The beach. Big and sandy, with chairs and umbrellas. Grandma and the littlest ones could sit right in the water and splash.
Indoor pool. Perfect for a windy or rainy day.
Playground and mini golf. There’s a nine-hole putt-putt course right on the property.
Ice cream shop. Yes, on site. Plan on going more than once.
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and paddle boats. For when they want to explore.

In the summer the resort also runs weekly activities like kids fishing contests, a sandcastle contest and s’mores night. Ask them what’s going on the week you’re there.

What’s in It for the Adults

There’s even a beach bar for the adults. It’s called the Big Turtle Beach Club, it sits right on the sand and yes, the frozen drinks come with the little umbrellas. We got to sit with a cold drink while the kids played on the beach right in front of us. As a mom, that’s a vacation.

Frozen drinks at the beach bar at Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake — Frozen drinks at the beach bar while the kids play in the sand.

There is also a bar and restaurant on the property, the Liar’s Lounge, so you’re not stuck cooking every meal in the cabin.

And if you’re the angler in the family, you still get to fish. With bass and walleye right by the resort, you can sneak out for an hour and be back before anybody misses you.

The Cabins

The cabins are big and spacious, and when you’re traveling with kids and all the gear that comes with them, that matters. There are lakefront cabins, and they range from one-bedroom suites all the way up to a big villa for large groups, so it works for one family or the whole extended family.

The resort is dog friendly too.

Tips for Planning Your Trip to Kohl’s Resort

Book summer early. There is a three-night minimum from June through August. The rest of the year you can do shorter stays.
Bring panfish rods for the kids. Light rods, small jigs, bobbers and crawlers are all you need.
Get your Minnesota fishing license. The adults need one, and you can buy it right at the resort. Young kids generally fish free with a licensed adult, but check the Minnesota DNR rules if you’re coming from out of state.
Pack for the water. Swimsuits, life jackets, sunscreen and water shoes. Your kids are going to be wet most of the day.
Do both. Fish in the morning, then hit the beach and water park in the afternoon.

You can check cabin availability at kohlsresort.com or call the resort at 218-419-3499.

Kohl’s Resort FAQ

Is Kohl’s Resort good for families with young kids?

Yes. We brought our whole family of young kids, and between the fishing, the beach, the lake water park, the indoor pool and the playground there was always something to do.

Where is Kohl’s Resort located?

Kohl’s Resort is on Big Turtle Lake, about 12 miles north of Bemidji in northern Minnesota.

What kind of fish are in Big Turtle Lake?

Big Turtle Lake has walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, perch and sunfish. On our late-summer trip we caught panfish, big bass and a few walleyes right by the resort.

Do I need my own boat to fish at Kohl’s Resort?

No. The resort rents fishing boats and pontoons, and it has gas, bait and fish cleaning on site.

Does Kohl’s Resort have a water park?

Yes. There is an inflatable water park on the lake in the summer, plus a sandy beach and an indoor pool.

Is Kohl’s Resort dog friendly?

Yes, Kohl’s is a dog-friendly resort. Check with them on the current pet policy before you book.

Why Kohl’s Is Such an Easy Family Fishing Trip

With big, spacious cabins and so much to do right on site, Kohl’s makes a family fishing trip easy and exciting. The fishing is close and simple enough for a 3-year-old, and there is plenty to do off the water when the little ones are done fishing.

If you’re looking for a place to make memories and get your kids hooked on the outdoors, this is it.

Want more family trip ideas? Read about our Canadian family fishing trip at Camp Lake St. Joseph, or check out the rest of my fishing destinations.

The Ultimate Minnesota Family Fishing Vacation: Kohl’s Resort on Big Turtle Lake