Harriet Muskies

[Doonbuggy]

Any suggestions for fall Harriet muskies?

I'm going out tomorrow morning for what likely will be the last outing of the year. I usually see a half dozen of them, but getting them to bite is another thing.

The NE and SW corners have shown the most fish for me this year, all in shallow water around the milfoil.

Will provide a report. Thanks.

DB

[BigMike]

I haven't fished Harriet since about mid-August, the milfoil had really pulled back after they started harvesting it - did it ever really grow back to full strength? As for spots for muskies, I fish for mostly bass but you really can't go wrong on that whole lake. I would probably make one big loop concentrating on the W harbor/shoreline & SW corner. Since you are having to troll (or walk) I would work the harbor & NW shoreline on your way down to the SW corner. I would work the SW corner real well and then on your way back in make a sweep of the East shoreline (there is a big point/handle) on that shoreline and as you said the NE corner & North shoreline can be really productive with it's deeper water.

So what I'm saying if fish the whole lake LOL. But that is the benefit of fishing a small lake - you can cover the whole lake pretty well in full day on the water. Each part of Harriet has real potential year round.

[Doonbuggy]

A gorgeous day on Harriet yesterday.

Lost an upper 30" fish in the NE corner on the big weed flat, using an Awaker. Of course the fish had to hit when I wasn't watching my lure, but ather talking to my buddy about nothing important.

Heard a whoosh, looked and saw my lure getting dragged to the side and for some reason I started to fight it without setting the hook! He got off and swam under the boat.

A shame! Could have posed with a November muskie with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. Good leaning lesson.

A few other boats were out, one other guy missed a fish as well on the east side. There was a little bit of a breeze so it was tough to spot any fish milling around. Water temp was 49-50. Most of the milfoil is brown, but a few patches of green.

The SW corner looked to be holding a school of crappies in about 23' - not far from the rock/pond area. Someone might be able to reach them from shore.

DB

[cjac]

I learned the same painful lesson yesterday: Bury the hookset boys!

[Aj10]

sounds like you had a pretty good day

[Doonbuggy]

Nada on Harriet yesterday afternoon. Conditions were pretty eery with the fog and lack of wind. The milfoil is still going strong in some areas.

Threw everything at them, but not even a sighting other than a big suspended arc on the graph when we were trolling.

Edge of the weedline appeared to be holding fish in some areas. Water temp is 46.

That's all for me for '04.....

DB

[LuckBites]

Is it frozen or will a guy be able to launch this weekend? One last try, I'll report if we get out.

[Fergus Mor McErc]

Harriet isn't frozen yet and probably won't be for a week or two. It and Calhoun seldom wind up freezing over until late. Unless something really drastic happens to the weather, you should be able to launch a boat in either one for the next couple weekends. Now, I admit, I didn't drive by it today but I've fished and lived a few blocks from Harriet for 20 years and that lake is still rolling when the rest of the state is froze over. Calhoun will generally go solid a day or two before Harriet, but both usually hang on to their whitecaps longer than the outstate lakes.

LuckBites, would you like me to drive by it on my way home from work Friday? I can post here if it's still open. Heck, depending on when you planned to go out, I'll drive over there Staurday morning and post the conditions for you. I'm one of those guys who gets up at 4 am (5 on weekends) whether I have to go to work or not. It would be no prob to take a little morning drive around the lake and let you know if you have water or ice to deal with.

[Pete Riola]

Harriet will be open. I may hit it on Saturday if I do I'll post a report.

[cjac]

Saw that too! Windy tomorrow, that'll break any ice down. WSW wind at 11 on Sat, not too bad considering Mpls lakes are often victem to the wind tunnel effect. If I can see my office from Harriet, does that count as going to work?

Might try it as well, would be in a grey Lund w/the Fishing Minnesota decal on it. Ice show is calling me too, looking for a new portable. Have the Clam 5600 now, takes too long to set up/tear down. Want a flip over. And a 4 wheeler to pull it!

Chris

[cjac]

Pete,

Did you get out over the weekend? Sat was a nice day for it....

[BigStevie]

Hey There,

I ran in the Reindeer race on Saturday around Harriet. I saw a group of guys fishing from shore by the band shell... looked like some heavy equip. Any FM'ers out there?? Are you guys live baiting for Muskies?

[SmellyJelly]

BigStevie,

I ran the Rein Deer run aw well. My second lap I stopped and talked to the folks that were fishing for Muskies. They were using "6-8" suckers right off the bottom. I asked them why they picked that particular spot. They said it was close to the Porta Potties. They did not catch anything when I was there.

Peace,

SmellyJelly

[BigStevie]

Thanks for the update SmellyJelly! I figured they were probably using big suckers or something of the sort. I guess in the cold weather you have to pick your fishing spot based on conveniences. Too funny!