muskies

[manwork19672]

looking for some input on muskie fishing above the sartell dam,i'm living up there now and would like some help with some good starting spots on the river up there,any input would be great...... thanks in advance

[CaptainMusky]

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looking for some input on muskie fishing above the sartell dam,i'm living up there now and would like some help with some good starting spots on the river up there,any input would be great...... thanks in advance

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I live North of Sartell myself and have spent a fair amount of time out there over the last couple years.

The musky fisherman that have success on the river will rarely share locations. I have had limited success on the river, but know I am fishing "good water" based on word of mouth and just plain gut feeling. :-)

The best chance to get in touch with a musky out there is going to be late fall when they congregate and start moving downstream toward Sartell dam.

The only real advice that is worth anything that I could give you would be to spend a lot of time on the water and learn it. If you stick around Sartell it is easier to navigate and there are far fewer hazards than going North. There is a good hump right in front of the access in Sartell, but due to its proximity gets pounded. It isn't a numbers fishery for about 90% of the season, but in Fall it definitely can be starting in September.

The way the river changes with current it is really hard to give too many tips as it changes so much. The big thing I do is stay away from the main current flow. These fish don't hang out in the current so be cognizant of that when searching. As you probably know the main channel will follow the "outside" bank. I usually fish the inside bank to avoid the current. There are a lot of generalities in this, but you should get the idea.

[manwork19672]

thansk for your input ,it all helps

[jweitgen]

I don't fish for musky but once heard of some large fish being caught just south of where the Pirates Cove was on the east side of the river. I don't know if this helps, but might be a place to start. There is lots of traffic there on weekends during the day but towards evening and morning it is fairly quiet.

[big musk411]

I would try late in the fall, as late as you can get out. It is the most productive time. Otherwise in June/July in the first really hot weather.

I don't think it's easy to get a musky out of the river, But I intend to do so sooner or later.

I am curious as to if anyone has had any incidental catches between St. Cloud and Anoka?

They are there, but where are they?

[riversmallmouth35]

Like CaptainMusky said you wont catch a lot of them but I have heard and seen pictures of some really big ones taken out of the river there.

[Rivernut]

Caught several between St. Cloud and Brainerd, but in the 20 years of fishing Elk River to Clearwater, never seen nor heard of one. Of course that's just my experience. Have caught some huge pike though!

[manwork19672]

thanks again guys,hope to see some big ones this summer

[PDXFisher]

I have much the same question. I will be visiting opening week for Muskies and wouldn't mind trying a river for Muskies and big Pike. Where is a good spot for a 14' backtroller to put in and navigate through? Or an area that has some trails along the bank to walk and fish?

Or if there's a better river, I'd like to know about that, too

Thanks!

[markkstanley]

Have caught some between Clearwater and Monticello. That is all I am going to say for locations. I would try topwaters and slashbaits like the Xrap. The pool above Blanchard dam also holds some muskies.

[PDXFisher]

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Have caught some between Clearwater and Monticello. That is all I am going to say for locations. I would try topwaters and slashbaits like the Xrap. The pool above Blanchard dam also holds some muskies.

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Pardon my complete ignorance, I'm an Oregonian. Is that boatable, with the above-mentioned boat? If it is, where is a good ramp? I will mostly be fly fishing.

Thanks, Mark!

[EBass]

I've seen 2 in my entire time on the river and it was up by little falls. I caught one - it was little 30" but we did see one that was around the 50" mark. It just swam by like a sub not interested in the spinnerbait I had on. I remember that clear as crystal - but it was a few years ago. I also caught 1 smallie that day and that was it. Haven't been back

That was back when we had water in the river

[markkstanley]

Jon boats or canoes only for Clearwater to Monti stretch. Muskies will tend to be in the deeper pools. Above Blanchard dam is boatable almost to Little Falls. Public access ramp is just above the dam.