Entire home

The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★

3.5 star property

Photo gallery for The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★

Exterior
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, free WiFi
Smart TV, DVD player, foosball, music library
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Consider a stay at The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★ and take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and a playground. Active travelers can enjoy kayaking at this vacation home. In addition to an arcade/game room, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 152796 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Outdoor Space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★

Sleeps 16 | Private Beach | Year-Round Fishing Paradise on Big Stone Lake
Two Complete Homes, One Unforgettable Experience

Welcome to The Rusty Anchor, where you get exceptional value with both a fully equipped lake home AND charming guest house - each featuring its own kitchen, laundry, and all the comforts of home. Step out your door onto your private beach on stunning Big Stone Lake, Minnesota's premier 12,610-acre border water stretching 26 miles between Minnesota and South Dakota.

The Ultimate Angler’s Retreat – Fish 365 Days a Year
Thanks to Big Stone Lake’s unique status as a border water, there’s no closed season — you can fish here every day of the year. While most Minnesota lakes have strict seasonal limits, Big Stone offers year-round access and more generous catch limits than nearly anywhere else.
Walleye & Sauger: 4 fish year-round (1 over 20") - restocked with 7 million fry every two years
Northern Pike: 6 fish continuously, plus winter spearing season
Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Perch and 30+ other species with extended seasons
12 public fishing accesses plus your private dock access

Whether casting from shore, trolling by boat, or ice fishing through winter, Big Stone Lake delivers trophy fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season.

Accommodations & Amenities

Main House - Sleeps up to 12:

3 large bedrooms: 1 king + twin-over-double bunk, 2 bedrooms with queen beds
Loft with 2 twin beds for extra sleeping
Queen pull-out sofa bed
3 full bathrooms
Full kitchen with dishwasher
Large sectional and recliner in living room
Dining table for 7
Game/party room for entertainment
3-season porch with patio furniture and table for 6

Guest House - Sleeps up to 4:

Open floor plan with 2 sleeping areas: 1 queen, 1 double bed
Full kitchen and bathroom with laundry
Dining table for 5
Comfortable sofa and love seat
The exclusive lakeside "Pelican Bar" on deck overlooking the lake - crafted from our old steps to the lake

Multiple Dining Options for Large Groups:

Main house dining table for 7
3-season porch table for 6
Guest house dining table for 5
Cottage deck table for 6 with lake views
Pelican Bar with 4 bar stools - perfect for watching for pelicans while you dine!
Beachside picnic table for waterfront meals

Complete Property Features:

Private beach with dock access - tie up your boat or launch 0.5 miles away
Water toys: kayaks, paddleboard, lily pad
2 beach cruiser bikes for exploring the area
Games: foosball, hook and ring game, board games, yard games
Outdoor cooking: Blackstone griddle and grill
Coffee available in both houses
Dog friendly (sorry, not cat friendly due to severe allergy in the family)


Local Attractions & Dining
Just minutes from your door:

Lakewood Supper Club (0.7 mi) - Steaks and seafood with lake view patio, opens daily at 5pm
Six casinos in Big Stone City, SD (2 miles) - try your luck (but remember, they didn't build those fancy buildings by giving money away!)
Melts Ice Cream - locally famous for the best ice cream around
Sioux Historic Pavilion (0.7 mi) - Beautiful event venue available for rental
Coffee shop, boutique shopping, and thrift stores within walking distance
Big Stone County Museum - explore local history including the Muskegon disaster
National Wildlife Refuge - hiking and biking trails

Perfect for Every Group & Season

Ideal Groups:

Large family reunions and multi-generational gatherings
Fishing tournaments and angling expeditions
Corporate retreats and team building events
Wedding parties - Just 0.7 Miles from the Sioux Historic Pavilion and Lakewood Supperclub!
Multi-family vacations and friend getaways

Year-Round Appeal:

Spring/Summer: Prime fishing, water sports, beach relaxation, outdoor dining
Fall: Trophy fishing season, stunning foliage, cozy fireside gatherings
Winter: Ice fishing, winter sports access, indoor entertainment

Why The Rusty Anchor Stands Out

Located in charming Ortonville, MN, you get the best of both worlds: peaceful lakefront serenity with easy access to dining, entertainment, and recreation. The border water location means extended fishing seasons you won't find elsewhere, while two complete homes ensure everyone has space to spread out and enjoy their perfect lake getaway.
Book The Rusty Anchor and discover Minnesota's best-kept secret for the ultimate lakefront experience - where exceptional fishing meets comfortable luxury on beautiful Big Stone Lake.

Available year-round | Sleeps 16 | Private beach & dock | Ask about discounts for stays of 5+ days | Unforgettable memories await

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Foosball table
  • Kayak
  • Fishing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,796 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out time is flexible; to make arrangements, please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Located in Ortonville, this vacation home is on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Big Stone Wildlife Managment Area and Prairie Wildlife Managment Area can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can check out Ortonville Municipal Golf Course. Looking to get your feet wet? Kayaking, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
Map
Ortonville, MN

What's nearby

  • Big Stone Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Ortonville City Public Library - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Central Park - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Ortonville City Hall - 16 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Big Stone Lake Museum - 3 min drive - 2.0 miles

Getting around

  • Watertown, SD (ATY-Watertown Regional) - 70 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Lakewood Lodge - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Liquor Store - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Pioneer Meat Market - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Moose Lodge Ortonville - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★ pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

Where is The Rusty Anchor ★ Lake Home + Guest House ★ located?

This family-friendly Ortonville vacation home is located on the waterfront, within a 10-minute walk of Big Stone Lake and Nielson Park. Central Park and Lakeside Park are also within 15 minutes.

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