Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Muskies in the upper Minnehaha creek?

MNoutdoors99

By MNoutdoors99
in MN River, Stream, & Shore Fishing - Canoe and Watersports.

 Share

Recommended Posts

MNoutdoors99 Apprentice

MNoutdoors99

Posted
Posted

Hi, My name is Jim and I have been planning a kayak fishing expedition with a friend on the Minnehaha Creek starting from Grays bay dam and ending around Lake Nokomis. I have fished in the creek several times now around various places and I have encountered several fish species. One of the main locations I have fished is on The Civic Center Trail Bridge which is about a mile downstream from the grays bay dam. The bridge is right by the Minnetonka City Hall. I have caught Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseeds, Hybrid sunfish off or around the bridge so far but I have also seen some kind of Hognose sucker swimming under the bridge and have seen lots of dead and alive carp too, But that is not all! I have seen plenty of medium sized largemouth bass cruising downstream as well. BUT! This past September I was fishing with my friend and we were using topwater lures and we had a pike-like fish hitting our lures a lot, I would say it was around 18" and by the color and behavior of it striking repetitively I believe it was a Northern Pike. I thought it was interesting that a pike would be in there but a few days later we decided to try fishing at the Grays bay dam. We fished for around a half hour and we were on the Lake Minnetonka side of the dam when we heard a kid fishing on the Minnehaha creek side shouting about a fish so we decide to check what all the fuss was about and he had caught a 25" Tiger Muskie! this was in the Creek itself so after this moment I have had so many questions.. We fished a bit longer after the kid caught the tiger muskie and my buddy caught 2 Northern Pike around 15" in the creek. We eventually tried this little dock in between the dam and the bridge and I caught a little pike around 12 inches long.There is a video of me with the Small Pike below this article. So after that we went back to grays bay dam again and I caught 3 more Pike and there was another person fishing there so I started to ask him if he has seen anyone catch any muskies in the creek and to my surprise he pulls out his phone and shows me a picture of him holding a small tiger muskie he said he had caught a week prior inside the creek! So I know for a fact tiger muskies are in the headwaters of the creek but I have 3 main questions I have been searching all over the web for and here they are: Is there any normal Muskies (Non-Hybrids) in the creek? If yes then do they stay in the headwaters of the creek or do they swim downstream? and also, how are the muskies getting in there? My guess for those 3 questions would be that if tiger muskies are getting into the creek then muskies should also be getting in as well. I also would assume that muskies and all other species of fish disperse throughout the creek. Some may find places to live such as deeper pools to survive the winters and dry seasons and some may just swim all the way down and end up staying permanent residents in deeper parts of the creek and lakes connected such as Meadowbrook Lake, Lake Hiawatha or Lake Nokomis or even go right over the Minnehaha falls and if they survive that huge drop then they carry on through the rest of the creek into the Mississippi River. And my guess for the final question is either Muskie eggs, fingerlings or just Muskies and Tiger Muskie's in general get washed through the Grays bay dam into the creek and get stuck in there and possibly breed in the creek itself? Who knows but all I know is that Tiger muskies are for sure in the Minnehaha creek at the beginning and also I know that a guy caught a 35lb Muskie in lake Hiawatha and from reading the DNR surveys it doesn't say Muskellunge are in that lake and the only way for a normal muskie to get in there would be for one in Lake Minnetonka get swept into the creek and continue its journey all the way down and into Lake Hiawatha. I do know that Tiger Muskellunge are stocked in Lake Nokomis and Nokomis is connected to the creek and so is Hiawatha so I understand Tiger Muskies can very well be in Lake Hiawatha and the lower part of the creek but the thing is those fish can't swim over the Edina mill dam which is the border between the Upper Minnehaha creek and the Middle Minnehaha creek so that means any fish in the upper part of the creek came from Lake Minnetonka or were born in the creek itself. I have also read on other fishing forums that people have seen and have large Muskellunge follow lures and jump around 54th street and Arden park so I believe they came from Lake Minnetonka as well. Anyways what I am trying to get at is from what I have been reading lots of people don't believe there is fish in the upper part or middle part of the creek and they spend all their time fishing where the creek meets the Mississippi river past the falls (Lower Minnehaha Creek). But I am telling you guys! The upper part of the creek has lots of fish as well and for sure has Tiger Muskies and I am positive the occasional Muskie as well has to be lurking in the creek. I have seen massive splashes of large fish in the creek but have not seen what fish as they are very fast when they jump but I would assume they are either Large pike or Muskies grabbing a frog or something. I have never caught a muskie before and I don't wanna bother with Lake Minnetonka as it would take a long time to catch one. So this spring and summer I will be making multiple kayak fishing trips throughout the length of the creek and see if I can come across one of these fish as I have been predicting. So what are your guy's thoughts? Have you ever caught any Muskies in the creek? Any stories or info? It would help a lot for me and my friend. thanks! - Jim.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 years later...
macgruber Collaborator

macgruber

Posted
Posted

I’m a few years late on this, but I can confirm there are musky throughout the creek.  I watched a couple giants spawning below the dam at Grays bay in the spring, I know of a large one caught in Meadowbrook lake on the fly, I’ve hooked into and seen a few monsters below the falls.  Gotta think there’d be one or two floating around the Minneapolis stretch near the lakes where tigers are stocked.  I don’t know that I would target them anywhere other than the headwater stretch as they would likely be spread out thin through the rest of it.  I love the creek, fun to explore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gimruis Mentor

gimruis

Posted
Posted

Technically, any fish species present in Lake Minnetonka could be present in the creek, since they are connected.  That would include a pure strain muskellunge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Kettle
      talmoon/spring lake info

      By Kettle · Posted

      Walked today and yesterday, flushed 9, shot at two and got two. Hopefully next year I'll have a dog to hunt with. Still warm up here, skim of ice on ponds. Weather has been nice. Hopefully walk a bit more the next few weeks. Been pretty cautious walking for birds to not interfere with deer hunters. There sure are not the deer hunters there used to be 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Good Muskie

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By gimruis · Posted

      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By Wanderer · Posted

      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By leech~~ · Posted

      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By Wanderer · Posted

      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By leech~~ · Posted

      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By 11-87 · Posted

      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By leech~~ · Posted

      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Scope vs Red Dot

      By Wanderer · Posted

      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept