Life of Riley Resort — Bait & Tackle in Buyck, MN

Contact & hours

🚤Nearest public landings

DNR public water access sites closest to Life of Riley Resort — buy bait here, launch there.

• Vermilion Lake, Norwegian Bay Public Water Access Site on Vermilion

  ~0.5 mi

  Trailer Launch · Concrete Slab · 1 dock · 10 trailer spaces · Directions ↗

  17 mi N of Cook on Cnty Rd 24, then 1 mi S on Cnty Rd 596, to end of road, on N shore.

• Vermilion River,Shivley Falls Public Water Access Site

  ~3.5 mi

  Carry-In · Unknown · Directions ↗

  Take Vermilion Dr north from Cook for 9.3 miles to Crane Lake Rd. Follow Crane Lake Rd/Co Rd 24 for 8 miles to Co Rd 422. Follow Co Rd 422 for 2.4 miles to River Richard Rd. Follow River Richard Rd to access

What they carry

• Live bait
• Fishing licenses
• Boat rental / marina

Listed by the Minnesota DNR as an in-person license agent — a verified, currently operating fishing retailer. Inventory flags are based on the business type and name; for specific minnows or leech sizes, call first.

🐟Fish near here

• Lake Vermilion~12 mi

Species in these waters: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Crappie

🎣Gear to grab before you go

Things worth tossing in the cart while you're picking up bait here:

• Jig heads, 1/8–3/8 ozThe Minnesota walleye staple — tip with a minnow or leech.Shop at Amazon →
• Slip bobber kitLeech under a slip float on a reef — summer walleye 101.Shop at Amazon →
• Crawler harnesses / spinner rigsTroll a nightcrawler on deep structure in July and August.Shop at Amazon →
• 8 lb monofilament lineFresh line before the season — old mono loses jig-bite fish.Shop at Amazon →
• Wire or fluorocarbon leadersPike bite through mono. Every rig needs a leader.Shop at Amazon →
• Casting spoons (red/white, five of diamonds)Classic Minnesota pike hardware for weedlines.Shop at Amazon →