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Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families!

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Welcome to our Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay!
Wonderful winter retreat... book now for the holidays and celebrate in style
Lakeview (North) - Clear water and beautiful blue skies as far as you can see
25 Foot Bennington Luxury Tri-Toon available for rent (first come, first served)
Rear view - Playground, sandy beach, 4 chaise loungers, paddleboat, and 6 kayaks

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 16232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Onamia, MN
  • Mille Lacs Lake
    4 min walk
  • Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
    8 min drive
  • Grand Casino Mille Lacs
    14 min drive
  • Brainerd, MN (BRD-Brainerd Lakes Regional)
    46 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

Bedroom 1 (10x13)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 (13x14)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 (12x13)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4 (14x29) / Kids Room

+1
1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Futon and 3 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 5 (13x14) / Sun Room

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4 / Kids Room

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families!

Are you looking for a dream getaway with your family and friends? Our lakeside retreat on Cove Bay has it all... a spacious house overlooking the beautiful lake, awesome yard for leisure activities (2 very private acres... see satellite map), perfect swimming beach (only 100 feet from the house, the swimming beach is shallow and clear with a mix of sand and gravel), many kid-friendly activities, and lovely decor to match the season. Everyone in your group will have a blast (adults and children alike), and we genuinely look forward to your visit with us!

Our 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 2,500+ square foot home on the highly sought-after Cove Bay (Mille Lacs Lake, MN) is only 90 minutes from the Twin Cities and situated on a 2 acre private lot with level elevation (right up to the lake) and 150’ of gently sloping beach, perfect for families with young children. Four of the bedrooms have queen size beds (one on the main level, great for grandparents) and the 5th bedroom has three bunk beds, one queen size bed, one futon sleeper, and a window seat (a perfect room for the children, including 50" television, DVD / BluRay player, and DirectTV)! There are also five bathrooms (two full baths, two 3/4 baths and one 1/2 bath), and these are attached to the bedrooms for complete privacy... you can't ask for a better setup for your family and friends, with the potential to very comfortably sleep 16 people!

This two-level home also includes a fully equipped kitchen (for all of your cooking needs), spacious dining area (huge dining table with seating for twelve and eight additional folding chairs available), main-level living room overlooking the beautiful lake, separate TV/Video room (with 60” television, DVD / BluRay player, Wii game console, DirectTV, and complimentary wifi / high speed internet), laundry facilities for mid-week washing, and an outdoor Weber propane grill (with grilling utensils) for your tasty Bar-B-Ques.

We also offer a 25' Bennington Luxury Tri-Toon (13 person capacity) for our guests to rent from June thru August, and it is available on a first-come first-served basis (separate rental fees apply). If you have interest in renting our pontoon, please let us know.

Mille Lacs Lake is a world-class fishery with walleye, northern pike, jumbo perch, giant muskie, smallmouth bass, crappies and sunfish! Referred to as the "Walleye Capital of the World", Mille Lacs Lake was also recently ranked as the #1 bass lake in America by Bassmaster (2017). The lake yielded four beastly "world-record" muskies in 2015 & 2016, each in the 60+ pound range! Feel free to bring your own boat… a bait shop and public boat landing are both less than two miles from this home, and the dock is yours to use during your entire stay. You can also book a launch trip for your group, or a private guided fishing trip that will create lifetime memories. There are many trophy fish to be had on this world-renowned lake!

In addition to fantastic fishing, this lake home also features 150’ of gently sloping beach, perfect for swimming (it is shallow for a long ways out, great for young kids, and the water is extremely clear). Enjoy a gorgeous sunset from the private dock or the lakeside fire pit, and know that the private setting (see satellite view on Google map below) will provide a very quiet and peaceful getaway for you and your family and friends. Our large 2 acre yard is perfect for spreading out and enjoying yard games, and includes an outdoor playground for the children, basketball hoop in the front driveway, a paddleboat and six kayaks for zipping around on the lake, tons of games and toys, and numerous activities nearby (see list below for some of the local attractions).

The rates posted below include EVERYTHING you could possibly need for your stay in our lakeside retreat... just bring your food, clothes, and toiletries! We provide complimentary wifi / high speed internet, the laundry facilities are free-of-charge, the six kayaks and paddleboat are available for your entire stay, the dock can be used for mooring your boat (no dock charges), two propane tanks are provided for the grill, no parking fees for your vehicles, the garage is full of toys and swimming supplies (including life jackets and water shoes), the kitchen is fully equipped (free coffee, condiments, spices, etc), and so forth. We provide a "general information" package one month before your check-in with information on all of these amenities and MORE, including local attractions and many fun things to do during your stay.

The summer months are very popular, but don't overlook the fall, winter, or spring. Each of these seasons provides very unique activities and many fun-filled days:

Fall Activities - Take in the crisp, autumn air and enjoy the beautiful fall colors on the lake. Popular activities include ATV riding (more than 300 miles of premier ATV trails make this the largest connected ATV trail in the state), biking and hiking (the Mille Lacs Soo Line Trail is the newest "rails to trails" projects in the state of Minnesota and provides a scenic tour for hiking, biking, and rollerblading during the beautiful fall months), and fishing / hunting / shooting / archery (during the fall, trophy fish are fattening up for winter, and Mille Lacs is also home to white-tailed deer, grouse, and various duck species. The Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area is located on the south end of the lake, and it encompasses over 39,000 acres of public hunting land, all for your enjoyment).

Winter Activities - The Mille Lacs Lake area is simply AMAZING during the winter months! Nothing brings out the kids in all of us, quite like winter. If you enjoy quiet sports, there are myriad trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The Mille Lacs Kathio State Park also has a sledding hill with hot chocolate in the warming house. For the "active" outdoor enthusiast, the wind-whipped expanse of Mille Lacs Lake is perfect for kiteboarding on skis or snowboards, or ice skating. Don’t miss one of the lake’s big kiteboarding events—the annual Mille Lacs Crossing—usually held the first weekend in March. Or maybe you love to hit the MN snowmobile trails. Trailer up your machines or arrange to rent sleds... either way, the hundreds of miles of groomed MN snowmobile trails will provide a picturesque getaway. If fishing is your thing, plowed roads provide easy access on and off the lake, and local resorts offer fish houses for rent. These well-equipped fish houses have all the comforts of home. Hang out on the lake, play some cards—and of course, fish! Check out the ice reports, hire a guide, grab some tackle and fresh bait, and hit the Mille Lacs Lake ice highway for great Minnesota ice fishing!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask these in your response. We look forward to having you and your guests at our lakeside retreat on Cove Bay. Thank you!

Property manager

Jason Wimmer
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Bedroom #4 is great for children!

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Guest must clean up behind dogs - $150 fee per dog

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Cancellation policy - For 05/01 - 09/30 there is a $500 cancellation fee. If the cancellation is more than 60 days all remaining amounts are refunded
During the summer (June, July, and Aug) there are two rental options available: 1) 5 nights (Sunday thru Friday) or 2) 7 nights (Friday thru Friday)
Our house rules ask that you treat our home and neighbors like your own... e.g. remove shoes, clean dishes, put stuff away, notify us of damage, etc.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Onamia

Located in Onamia, this holiday home is on the beach. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Mille Lacs Indian Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Father Hennepin State Park and Mille Lacs Lake. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Onamia, MN

What's nearby

  • Mille Lacs Lake - 4 min walk
  • Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - 8 min drive
  • Grand Casino Mille Lacs - 14 min drive
  • Mille Lacs Indian Museum - 14 min drive
  • Father Hennepin State Park - 17 min drive

Getting around

  • St. Paul, MN (STP-St. Paul Downtown) - 106 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Taco John's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪BayView Bar and Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Happy's Drive-In - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families!?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lakeside Retreat on Cove Bay - Perfect for Families! located?

This Onamia holiday home is on the beach, 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Mille Lacs Lake, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Mille Lacs Kathio State Park and Father Hennepin State Park. Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Grand Casino Mille Lacs are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 122 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 125 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Molly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay!
My family and I had such a wonderful stay here! House was perfectly stocked and so much room for us to spread out, when wanted. The dining room table was perfect for games and the chalkboards were so fun to use for keeping score. The outside was incredible. Wonderful dock looking over an incredible lake view. Loved every minute. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Lake Retreat with Lots of Extras
We booked a family vacation with our 2 adult children, their spouses and our 7 grandkids. This Wimmer's lake house was stocked with more toys than you can imagine: Kayaks, paddle boat, playground, water shoes, life jackets, sand toys, bicycles, board games, wii... and the list goes on. I knew the house came with some extras... but not enough to cover 7 grandkids from 1 - 11 years! That's really saying something. The host Jason was amazing and provided us with all the info we needed prior to arrival. Great communication all around. I highly recommend this listing! Lots of positive things... and only one negative (which was easy to navigate). If you're sensitive to scents like our family is... you may want to unplug the 8 scented 'plugins' on the ground floor. I removed them the first day and then I reinstalled them after the rest of the family checked out. The place was clean, communication was great, and the home exactly as advertised. We'd definitely book this place again. Thanks Wimmer Family!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Larry M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family vacation on Mille Lacs lake.
Our family of 16 stayed on this property last week (June) and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The kitchen was well supplied with enough kitchen ware to accommodate our family. The property was clean and supplied lots of games, life jackets, lily pad and kayaks. We had plenty of refrigerator space for food and drinks. The lawn had shade and open space for our grandchildren to play bags and ladder golf. Our family really enjoyed our time..
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lot of activities!
There was a lot of activities to do while there. We spend out time at the lake, playing board games, and sometime being lazy and just watch tv all together!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing getaway
We had such a fun time at this property! The kids loved using the kyaks and paddle boat on the lake and we loved the beautiful view of course as well 😍 we’d love to come back some day soon 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Friend's group getaway
There were a group of 10 of us that stayed at this house for a get together. We house was very well stocked, we were very comfortable, and we had great communication with the owner. We are considering coming back in the summer to enjoy again and use all of the swimming and boating equipment. Thanks :)
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
wonderful property
This is a great place for large families. We were able to enjoy the toys for the kids and bean bag toss. We are booking it for a summer getaway. Thanks Jason for being so accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emilee B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A week to relax and do some Ice fishing
This home is everything as described and more. We had two familys in our party, 4 adults 7 kids and there was more then enough room to be comfortable. The kids loved the bunk room! Communication was excellent. Although the winter didnt cooperate the best for ice fishing we were able to go just down the road to Castle resorts and get on some ice and catch fish. Besides fishing we spent alot of time hanging at the house just relaxing and enjoyomg the quite and beauty of the property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Matt S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Thanksgiving
Great home and location. The house was fully furnished and had nearly everything you need for a great time away.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Two day fishing trip
Five guys stayed for a couple days of fishing. Unfortunately we did not have the time or weather to utilize any of the outdoor amenities. But the location was perfect for us and we enjoyed sitting next to the fireplace to warm up after a cold, rainy day on the lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family cabin trip
Everything was perfect. We had no complaints. The house was clean and very spacious. He had every accommodation that anyone could ever ask for. Everything was provided from every size life jacket to water shoes. They had fun lawn games. The kids loved the swing set and we all loved the kayaks and paddle boat. The house was big enough for our family of 11. Jason was fast to respond to my many questions. We could not have asked for a better place to stay. We would highly recommend this home to any one looking for a perfect getaway.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luke S., La Crosse WI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mille Lacs
Awesome stay. Property was great and it was very easy to work with the owners!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Danielle H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome vacation - highly recommend!
We came with 4 adults and 5 teens and pre-teens. The property is beautiful, clean and has everything you need for a relaxing, fun time. From kayaks to bikes to a stocked kitchen of supplies, we had an absolute blast. Highly recommend!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jack P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fishing trip
We enjoyed the home and it was very spacious. Very clean and home feeling. We spent most days fishing but the time we had in the home we all enjoyed it.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Winter paradise!
We filled the house with 16 people but it didn’t feel crowded. Lots of games around the large dining room table, ice fishing, and riding the snowmobile on the lake. Jason was fast to answer any questions we had before and during our stay. Lovely time had by all!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Connie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family gathering
we had a wonderful time at jason's. The house was beautifully decorated for christmas. We were here last november for our thanksgiving. The house is nice and big which we need with our big bunch. The kitchen is well supplied for cooking. It is a beautiful view of the lake also.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everytning was perfect
Perfect
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome Place!
Beautiful house on a beautiful piece of property! Plenty of space for a large family gathering and plenty of activities/things to do on the property itself as well as nearby. Owners responded quickly to emails, house was very clean and had everything we needed for a great time. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property, tons of amenities
This is a great property. We did an extended family getaway with 7 adults and 2 kids and there was plenty of space for everyone. The kids loved the sandbox, bikes and water toys that were provided. The adults loved the fully stocked kitchen, separate bedrooms with adjoining baths and how easy it was to keep an eye on the kids from pretty much anywhere in the house. The owners have thought of everything you'll need while you're here. Can't go wrong with this one!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandra D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Joy at the lake
I can't say enough about this beautiful property. It is a tucked away gem that has everything you could possibly need. We couldn't have enjoyed our stay more.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Teri H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Experience
Absolutely beautiful home and top-notch hosts! Everything was so well thought out! The property and amenities were amazing we had such a great experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family + Kid Paradise
By far our favorite lake house/cabin rental! The amount of toys, life jackets, games, outdoor activities, and overall accommodations was beyond our expectations. Communication with the owner was seamless! We wished our stay was longer. Truly enjoyed every minute!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pamela B., Venturia

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation
We throughly enjoyed staying at the Lakeside Retreat. It was perfect for our family of 12. Plenty of room for all of us. There was something to do for everyone! Between kayaking, the paddle boat, cornhole, fishing, lots of room for the kids to play. We would recommend staying here, and would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jill L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home away from home
Family of 12 found Cove Bay rental to be everything we needed for all age groups! Wonderful week on Mille lacs lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home!
We loved our stay and could not have had a better experience working with Jason! The house was amazing and was stocked with everything we needed and more! The garage was full of games and activities to keep us busy, which we really appreciated! The fishing was good, however, the late spring made the water too cool for the water activities we had planned which was a bummer. This made more time for playing games, relaxing in the sun and just enjoying our time together. We would not hesitate to stay here again! Thank you so much for opening your home to us!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jason Wimmer

Host profile image
My wife and I live in the Minneapolis area and we have three children. We love the close proximity of our lakehome to Minneapolis (it is about a 90 minute drive) and we have spent many wonderful days here with our family and friends!

Why they chose this property

My wife and I purchased this lakehome in summer of 2013. We had three young children at the time, and we wanted to have a special "getaway" for our family... someplace outside of the busy city where we could relax and create special memories together, that would last a lifetime!

As we looked at different properties, we had numerous criteria; however, there were five things that stood out on our list, and this property had all of them (see unique benefits below). We have made several improvements to this lakehome over the years, and we continue to make improvements each and every year, based on feedback from our family, friends, and guests. Right now, it is the perfect lakeside retreat!

Our family and friends love this lakehome, the Mille Lacs Lake area in general, and everything it has to offer. Now, we would like to share our blessings with you and your family and friends!

What makes this property unique

As we looked at different properties, we had numerous criteria; however, there were five things that stood out on our list, and this property had all of them:

1) Close proximity to Minneapolis (it is about a 90 minute drive via Highway 169, and located on the southernmost bay of Mille Lacs Lake, for easy accessibility)

2) Plenty of space for family and friends (the lakehome has 5 bedrooms and 5 baths with over 2,500 square feet, which can easily accommodate 16 people... all of our family and friends can visit without feeling squished)

3) A great swimming area for our young children (the water is shallow and clear, and the beach area is a mix of sand and gravel, awesome for swimming). The children would rank this as #1 on THEIR list of unique benefits.

4) A spacious and private yard with level elevation (the yard is 2 acres in size and provides for very peaceful getaways), and

5) Great fishing! We love to fish, and while this was not #1 on our wish list, we are thankful we were able to find everything above, plus GREAT FISHING! We do not believe there is a better lake in Minnesota to get the variety of fish (walleye, smallmouth, muskie, jumbo perch, pike), while also having the potential to catch a trophy. We have personally caught and released many trophy fish on this lake, including walleye up to 29" and smallmouth up to 21" and muskie up to 52" and northern pike up to 39"... the fishing can be an absolute BLAST!

If these unique benefits match any of the criteria on your search for the perfect vacation rental home, we would love to have you stay with us!

Languages:

English

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