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.

shore fishing muskies

Andrew Erickson

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

 Share

Recommended Posts

Andrew Erickson Proficient

Andrew Erickson

Posted
Posted

i am getting into shore fishing lake harriet for muskies and was wondering what are some good baits for shore fishing.Usually im in a boat so this is a little different.Any help would be appreciated

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Metroguy99 Enthusiast

Metroguy99

Posted
Posted

I've just started doing the exact same thing. But my muskies knowledge is lacking so its a bit difficult. I've been throwing surface baits over the milfoil (when there is any now that they cut it so often). I'm thinking of getting a bucktail to throw between the boats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Metroguy99 Enthusiast

Metroguy99

Posted
Posted

No I am fishless. The constant cutting of the weeds is really disturbing the fishing in and around the shore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
muskylover9 Contributor

muskylover9

Posted
Posted

I think your best bet for muskies would be right after the opener, before the milfoil gets too thick. Try spinner baits, bucktails and top waters like the large bass size Zara Spook. Spoons alo work well. I caught a 15 Lb'er from shore last year on a doctor spoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
big musk411 Rising Star

big musk411

Posted
Posted

I used to work downtown. I had an hour for lunch and would sometimes go target muskies. Always hit Calhune. Needless to say, its tough. I went maybe 20-30 times casting every muskie bait I had. I only got one off a Bass style buzzbait on a rainy day in 2 fow. I would see fish all the time. Nice working over there, muskie fishing and excellent mexican food. Man did that job suck, good thing the laid me off grin.gif.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
Timrek Apprentice

Timrek

Posted
Posted

I have been fishing sunnies on the south end of Harriet the past few weekends had a good 4'+ muskie / northern follow my bobber and hook right back to the dock then 10 min later take the hook right off the end of my line. He ignored the x-rap I presented to him right after that. They are in the shallows on the south side now. I am going to try a bunny strip this weekend.

Also had a Muskie take a sunnie from my line as I was reeling it in about 3 weeks ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mplspug Collaborator

mplspug

Posted
Posted

I went up to the southside of Harriet last Saturday for bass and caught only little ones. I might have to go soak a few suckers this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Reynolds Collaborator

Reynolds

Posted
Posted

I was ice fishing on Harrient this past Winter near the bandshell and had a decent size Muskie come trolling by my hole in about 6-8 feet of water. Funny how that happens how all of sudden your flasher will go blank and then a muskie or a northern comes rolling through looking for dinner. Correct me if I am wrong, but I could have sworn that the West Metro Lake Map Book said something about Calhoun holding the record for the largest Muskie in the state for most of the 1990's. Don't quote me on that. I am just banking that on my tattered memory.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Andrew Erickson Proficient

Andrew Erickson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i just got back from camping on independence!man we had a blast,caught some bass and i had 2 nice skis on throwing a hawg wabbler in the beach area(from shore)and my dad also had a muskie on throwin a muskie size spinnerbait but they all threw the hooks before we could land them

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 months later...
Write-Outdoor Collaborator

Write-Outdoor

Posted
Posted

When I lived in the heart of Minneapolis I used to do a lot of shore fishing for muskies on Nokomis, Harriet and Calhoun. Heck, even when I go back to fish them from a boat I'm within casting distance of shore 90% of the time. In my experience you can cast pretty much everything from shore as you can from a boat including bucktails. The milfoil presents a challenge like you said, but if you burn a bucktail over the top you'll do just fine. The funny thing is that the biggest one I caught was a tiger on a bass lure on Nokomis (see photo).

Early morning is a great time of the day for shorefishing these metro lakes and don't be afraid to fish right by the swimming beaches. The muskies like to sit in theses areas early in the morning and are eager to bite.

Just remember to release whatever you catch. Bring the camera, take a quick photograph, and then let it swim away. These metro lakes aren't pressured too heavily and I don't think it will be long before the record tiger is back on. I know it's a long shot compared to Vermilion or Mille Lacs, but Harriet could pop out a state record. I've heard of a lot of 54 inchers caught in there and it's not crazy to think there are a few even bigger.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 months later...
EYEDEAS Rookie

EYEDEAS

Posted
Posted

Try Lake Rebecca out west. I went there for crappie fishing a few weeks ago, got at least five or six fish taken by muskies as I was reeling it in. These were huge ones too. Saw one of them because it came right by the dock.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
macgruber Collaborator

macgruber

Posted
Posted

i canoed past a 4 footer earlier this year on harriet...... they are in there..... just a question of gettin 'em on the end of the line.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Andrew Erickson Proficient

Andrew Erickson

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i was walleye fishing there on opener from shore and got a 35 incher

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Timrek Apprentice

Timrek

Posted
Posted

Out fishing this weekend for bass and gills on Harriet. I was over by the south side of the marina Saturday and saw a good 36"+ Northern in about 2 feet of water hugging the wall. If I had a net I could have scoped him up. Fished for about 10 minuets got a decent size bass on when that Northern decided he wanted it more. Played tug a war with him for about 5 minuets until he turned and snapped my line. 10 minuets latter he took a gill from me too. tongue.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      Big Kandiyohi

      By mulefarm · Posted

      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Big Traverse Ice Free

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By leech~~ · Posted

      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      St Cloud Fishing Reports

      By Rick G · Posted

      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By smurfy · Posted

      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports

      By monstermoose78 · Posted

      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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