Winter Traditions at Boyd Lodge: Friends, Firelight & Life on the Ice

Winter looks a little different for everyone—but for many of our guests, it’s a season of tradition, connection, and getting away together. Here are two recent stories that capture what a Minnesota winter stay can be all about.

A Cozy Winter Getaway with Friends

Even when Minnesota winter shows off with double-digit temps below zero, these four friends made the most of their January getaway with us.

Susan and her group stayed in one of our lofted cabins during an extreme January cold snap. While they didn’t snowshoe quite as much as planned, they still made it out in the freezing temps and made the most of every moment inside.

“We had a great time in our toasty cabin—games, cards, jigsaw puzzle, movies and precious chats,” Susan shared.

Between the crackling fireplace, regularly restocked firewood, and wildlife just outside their window, their stay became the kind of winter retreat that doesn’t require much more than good company and a warm place to gather.

It’s a great reminder that sometimes the best part of winter isn’t what you do—it’s who you’re with.

A Longstanding Spear Fishing Tradition

For another group of guests, winter at Boyd Lodge means something a little different—heading out onto the ice year after year for a tradition that’s been going strong since 2003.

Joe Fulton and his group return each winter for their annual spear fishing trip and self-created tournament. What started with a friend who owned a place on Cross Lake has grown into a long-running gathering of about 20–25 people, most of whom have been coming for years.

During their stay, they rent three cabins in a row, arriving midweek and staying through the weekend. Each day, they head out onto the frozen lake to spear fish—an experience that’s equal parts skill, patience, and tradition.

For those unfamiliar, spear fishing involves setting up a dark ice house over a hole cut into the lake. Inside, anglers watch for fish to pass below before spearing them through the water. It’s a unique and time-honored way of fishing, and for this group, it’s also deeply tied to another craft: making their own decoys.

Each year, everyone creates a hand-carved decoy and brings it along. On Friday night, they gather for a decoy exchange, trading their creations with one another. It’s a tradition that blends craftsmanship, creativity, and a shared appreciation for the sport.

Saturday brings more time on the ice, followed by an evening raffle and time spent together back at the cabins. Meals are another key part of the experience—each cabin hosts one night, cooking and welcoming the rest of the group over.

There’s even a bit of friendly competition mixed in. Their informal tournament recognizes top catches like the most or biggest pike and whitefish, with winners earning the honor of carving a decoy for a plaque that commemorates each year.

For Joe, who lives nearby in Pequot Lakes and has been part of the group since the beginning, it’s more than just a fishing trip. It’s a tradition built on years of shared experiences—on the ice and back at the cabins.