Muskie fishing

[Leif]

Does anyone know a good lake to fish muskies in the area? Also I have never fished for them before so the eaiser the lake the better. Thanks

[mskyfshntchr]

There aren't any *easy* musky lakes. If there are, they become uneasy real quickly when the word spreads. Fish Bemidji and try to learn it. You are going to be there 4 years...or more, if you take the long route through college...You are living on the lake...Is it an easy lake? No, but if you learn that lake, you can have success. Get a guide or someone who knows the lake to show you around for a day and REMEMBER what you are told. Then apply it in the future and you should have some luck.

Good luck and let me know when you get on a hot streak..I'll be there in under 6 hours!

[Scott M]

By all means, go for it as a fellow new person to the sport (Been doing it about 4 years but not religiously...I fish for anything and everything). It took me quite a few days on the water before I got my first fish. It was worth it in the end.

If you are in G.R. for the summer try Moose, Deer, Winni, Pokegama, or North Star. There are some other smaller bodies of water connected to the Mississippi that might be worth trying if you have time on your hands. If you really wanted a trip, go north to the Big Fork river and canoe to some good looking spots.

People will help you get the right gear, but it is information that the novice musky angler is starved of. Level the playing field a little by purchasing a Minnesota Muskie Lake Maps book or hiring a guide for a day.

Just my $0.02. Good luck

[Leif]

Do you think that i can afford a guide after playing cards with you! Ha but tahnks for the advise. school gets done the 17th what are you doing for opener? Give me a call or something.

[mskyfshntchr]

I'm not sure about opener..next weekend I am going to IA muskie fishing..yeah...I can't wait! I've been driving my wife nuts...and I bet I'm not the only guy on these forums doing that!!!

Let me know when you get home...I got your gun waiting....

[gkl]

da_chise31 you mentioned Pokegama in your list. I have a place on Pokegama and I've heard that it only has a stray muskie or two from the river. I fish it alot but when I'm in the musky mood I go to Deer. Is there a fishable population of muskies in Pokegama?

[fishuhalik]

I use to do really good on the Big Fork. I can't remember exactly where we use to go in, though. I do remember that the best baits we found were the bigger bass spinnerbaits. We tried alot of the typical muskie baits and always caught more fish on the 3/4 - 1 oz spinnerbaits. We usually had our best sucess burning 'em right under the surface, slow rolling never seemed to work as good b/c you can't cover as much water. It's not a big fish river, most of our fish were in the 12 - 20lb range w/ a few over 25, but the #s were usually really good, 6-10 a day. Make sure you try it when the water's really low. If it's high it seems to be a waste of time. And don't look for the "typical" muskie areas. They get hit hard. Cast to everything, rocks, wood, grass, even just bare river bottom. And if you're not having much success w/ the skis, treat yourself to some fun and find any hole over 8 ft deep and toss down a jig w/ a crawler, there's a ton of suckers and actually quite a few eyes. Hope that helps!

[papabear]

Try the Mississppi for muskies. either casting from shore or in a boat. If the river is low again this year they should be easy to find. In '88 when the river was low I remember several big ones caught from shore near holes where they can hide and wait for dinner to come down stream. It was also good walleye fishing since they had to congregate in the deepest holes they could find.

[Boedigheimer]

Leif, I would try Little or Big wolf, Cass, and definitely Plantanganette, and as mentioned already Bemidji. I went to BSU for.....more than four years, and lived in Bemidji for 8 years. Although I fished mainly walleye and bass, these lakes were continually being mentioned by fishing buddies that chased the big fish. Travis Giffen is one guide that I would recommend, as hardcore a musky fisherman as I have ever met. Hope this helps

[IceWrangler]

Sorry to jump off Subject, Dan are you related to the late Cliff Boedigheimer?

[Boedigheimer]

Wow...haven't heard his name outside of family reunions in very long time, he was my Grandfather. Married to Sylvia , passed away about 30 years ago. If there is a connection drop me an e-mail ([email protected]).

[IceWrangler]

Made the Call to ya, Was great to talk to you. Looking forward to wetting some lines with you

[archer59]

You may want to drop in here:

http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/

Good Luck,

Nick

[Esoxmn]

If you will be in the Bemidji area there are much better lakes for big fish over ther than there is in GR area. If you are going to be in the Rapids area shoot me a email at [email protected]

[fishwithteeth]

Spider Lake is ok. It is small enough, 1400 acres, but has good cabbage and rock bars and points to fish. Probably doesn't carry a large trophy population, but enough fish to keep you interested. Some large pike may also be had. If you go in June, the 'eyes and crappies can also be very cooperative. I like to concentrate on 3rd lake for muskies. Good Luck!

[Eric_Koenig]

I would Have to slightly disagree with there being more muskie waters to the west with big fish than in the Rapids area. I can think of a few right close that produces some pretty big fish! Good luck where ever your heart takes you!!

[fishwithteeth]

I agree with you about better waters west of Rapids. I thought they were looking for waters close to GR. Which lakes are your favorite?

[troyfideldy]

Leif, hey I am also a BSU student. I will be attending there again this upcoming winter. I am looking for roommates for this next fall. I rent a 3 bedroom/2bath, deck and screen porch cabin on lake Andurisa for school. Muskie are in Andursia. We caught alot of walleyes last year and hunted public land with in walking distance of our cabin. Let me know if this maybe an interest to you this next year. Looking for Outdoorsmen.

Email- [email protected]

[Leif]

Hey Troy i sent you an email I don't always have acess to the internet so give me a call. Im would like to rent a room on a lake very much.

[RonZ]

I went to Bemidji 22 years ago. I too would like to go back to school and rent out a cabin.