Where to go for northern and musky?

[Ty Stromquist]

Been thinking about taking my dad out next spring/summer on a norgy/musky outing up north. Is there a place in MN that is pretty good or should we keep heading north into Canada? Also any guides you reccomend? Im thinking about just paying a guide and not bothering with bringing our own boat. This way we are not just on a breeze and the guide can put us on fish. Thanks Your replys are appreciated.

[carbon kid]

Kum-Bac Kabins, Rocky Lake, Northern Manitoba

No muskies here but the northerns, walleyes, lake trout and smallies just rock.
It's quite a ways north into canada but well worth the trip.

[fearnofish]

I have been going to eagle beach resort in Minnesota for vacation the past couple summers and do real well with Northerns and walleye. Rock bass to but I dont care for those.

[dlwilson]

I'd try Leech Lake and the chain of lakes around that area. It's in walker minnesota and it has everything you need, and yes it has many big northerns and muskie plus some unbeliveable smallmouth action which is pretty much all I fished for. They have guides that will take you out and target what you want to catch. There are a lot of resorts and hotels in that area just do a search on this wonderful internet that Al Gore invented for us and I'm sure you'll find some info.

[lunkerman]

devils lake in N. dakota is full of pike, and big ones too.

[Camp-N-Fish]

We've had good luck finding Northerns at the Tomahawk resort, near Sioux Narrows, ON. This resort is on Lake of the Woods and we have also had good luck finding the eyes and perch. I know they catch good sized Muskie, but we've never been much for the 10K casts! Scott & Kevin will be able to hook you up with a good guide and the resort boats are some of the best on the lake. We had a guide take us fishing for Lake Trout about 10 years ago and it was one of the most enjoyable fishing experiences that I've had in Canada!

Here's a link to the resort's site:

Tomahawk Resort, Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada

[Jump n Fish]

Originally Posted by dlwilson

I'd try Leech Lake and the chain of lakes around that area. It's in walker minnesota and it has everything you need, and yes it has many big northerns and muskie plus some unbeliveable smallmouth action which is pretty much all I fished for. They have guides that will take you out and target what you want to catch. There are a lot of resorts and hotels in that area just do a search on this wonderful internet that Al Gore invented for us and I'm sure you'll find some info.

I went to leech lake this year and took my dad and brother which neither are big fishermen. We stayed at Chippewa (spelling?) Lodge which was very reasonable for the three of us. Not knowing the lake the lodge will point you in the direction of what you want to catch typically. We managed countless pike. Just gave my dad and brother some spinning gear with some mepps and we caught them till our arms we were wore out. The biggest of the trip was caught by my dad at 37" and released. We never got into any muskie although its known for being a trophy muskie fishery, but we got into quite a few nice largemouth. I don't know what part of the lake has smallmouth as I've never seen any the two times we've been up and the lodge owner says they don't do too well in this lake. Maybe dlwilson will have more info on that.

Chippewa Lodge Resort
As far as the lodge we stayed at I would highly recommend it. Its one of the many Anderson's lodges around the lake. The host couple were very friendly I even think we went in the first week of June and got a package where all bait was included and fuel was 50% off. My only advice would be to upgrade to the Misty River boat. I also picked this lodge because of its location to the Pike areas that I knew of from the last time I was up there.

There is no shortage of pike up there and those northerns when cooked fresh are IMO as good as walleye. The lodge will even remove the y-bones for ya if you don't want to clean them yourself. We feasted for the week we were there.

Let me know if you want more info. This lake and Rush lake are the only lakes in MN that I've ever fished, so take this for what its worth and other people who have tried other lakes as well as leech might know some better places.

[cougarw]

I've fished leech and devils, both are amazing. I would rather go to devils because of all the monster eyes, and a nearby lake with outstanding pike. Most of the pike at leech were under 4 lbs, but still fun.
Anderson resort at leech was very reasonable, I believe around $850 for a week, and 18' lund with a 40 hp. they cleaned all your fish and all the bait you need. But the guide would be extra.

[magnusthebigbrownlab]

Originally Posted by Ty Stromquist

Been thinking about taking my dad out next spring/summer on a norgy/musky outing up north. Is there a place in MN that is pretty good or should we keep heading north into Canada? Also any guides you reccomend? Im thinking about just paying a guide and not bothering with bringing our own boat. This way we are not just on a breeze and the guide can put us on fish. Thanks Your replys are appreciated.

I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years now with some old college buddies. Everybody's friggin tying the knot though. Stupid, stupid kids. Boundary Waters Outfitters BWCA Canoe Trips Ely, Minnesota ( boundary waters canoe area wilderness )

[dlwilson]

Actually I made a mistake in my previous post, all the smallmouth fishing was done at Woman Lake, which is a chain lake of Leech lake and is about 35 minutes north of Leech lake. There are about 6 or 7 different lakes all connected by canals and streams and I think all of them lead into Leech Lake. I would suggest fishing Woman Lake for muskies and smallies, but it too has some big northerns and plenty of them. Woman Lake is connected to Girl Lake by a small canal, takes about 5 minutes to get through the canal and you're there and the fishing is worth it. From what I've heard that's where most of the trophy northerns and muskies come from. Woman Lake is probably my favorite of all the minnesota lakes I've fished and that's quite a few, only problem is that it's kinda isolated which I really like. There are about 10-12 resorts around the lake but in my eyes, especially during peak summer months some are way to pricy so do some research. A small cabin for a week at most places won't break the old pocket book but a big one will. you're also about 25 miles from the nearest towns in any direction you choose which kindo sucks so stock up for the week but it is beautiful and I've never had a horrible trip fishing wise. Hope to get back up there next year if I can.

[sqwidbrain]

If you would consider Wisconsin, there are lots of places that hold eyes, pikes and HUGEMOUNGOUS musky's! The Chippewa flowage is good, Turtle Flambow Flowage, Manitowish Chain. Or any of the lakes in Vilas county. Rollie and Helen's bait shop has a website - www.muskyshop.com. They have guides and all kinds of info. If I was you, I'd go for Musky on a trip like that! You can catch pikes anywhere! A chance at a 40 pounder comes along only once in a while when you live in Nebraska. If you want Canada, I believe musky numbers are greater in Ontario. We used to goto Clay lake, North Star Lodge. Lots of Musky, Pikes and eyes. Wish I was going up there!! Saw the 3 biggest fish in my life up in Ontario! 41, 42, 44 inch musky's!! All in the same week! Have fun no matter where you go.

[Coop]

I'll throw in my favorite... Lake Vermilion in MN. I primarily fish for walleye's there, and have great luck, lots of northerns there too, and the lake's dirty little secret is that it is one of the best fisheries for smallmouths. I've never went after Muskies myself, but its very well known for its musky. Lots of privately owned cabins to rent, and some very nice resorts.

Glenmore Resort is a very nice place, with great owners. The Glenmore Resort Call 1-877-753-1200 for reservations I have not stayed at their resort, but have rented a boat from them, and they were great.

We last rented a cabin from a private owner, Ken Klos, very nice place, great location on the middle of the lake. Very reasonable as well, $800 for a week in a 3 BR cabin was well worth it, since bringing the womenfolk and 2 year old meant tent camping wasn't going to be an option.
Moccasin Point Summer Homes

As for guides, I've used Cliff Wagenbach, and can't reccomend the guy enough. Great guy, and I doubt there's anyone who knows that lake when it comes to walleye's better. Ask anyone up there about a guide, and he'll likely be the first name they mention. He primarily guides for walleye, and you can't go up north and not catch any of those buggers, can you? Cliff's Guide Service - Lake Vermilion

There's also a guy who only guides muskies. When I finally decide to give it a shot, this is the guy I'm calling. index He comes highly recommended as well.

If you do decide you want your own boat up there, rentals are pretty easy to come by, quite a few resorts rent to people who aren't staying there (Glenmore is one), and there is also a place I've rented from in the past, Shamrock Marina. Randy who runs the place is a nice guy who's very helpful, and forgiving (lots of rocks in that lake that can modify your prop or lower unit if you aren't careful) He also outfits his boats with GPS and lakemaster chips which is awesome. Shamrock Marina

There's also DNR run campsites on the lake (free, but first come, first served), and some private campgrounds that are nicely maintained and reasonable.

Great fishing, great scenery, and great people at this lake. No need to get a passport and go to Canada. We've been going to this lake for several years now and have never had a bad trip.

[kaiserduckhelm]

If you want ski's I would head to Northern Wisconsin. I have fished Shishebogama and some smaller lakes near by. Beautful country and some huge muskie, alot other things to do near by also.

[Rosey]

Ty, Coop hit the nail on the head - Lake Vermilion is the place to go. 40,000 acres of all the fish habitat you would ever want to fish. THE best musky fishery in the upper Midwest (save for maybe Mille Lacs) + tons of nice pike (all between 24-36" have to be released). Walleyes, smallies, largemouth, perch, bluegills......I just got back and I'm already jonesing!

I'll be up there for about two weeks in June and hopefully one-two weeks mid-late July/early August of next summer. In the chance that you decide to make Vermilion your destination and we happen to cross paths, I'd be more than happy to take you and your old man out for some esox fishing.

For the muskies specifically I would suggest the last two weeks of July all the way through the end of the season (Late October), but anytime after the opener (June 6th) can be good.

Good luck with your choice and pm me if you want any other details.

[sqwidbrain]

One other pretty cool deal if you go to up north in Wisconsin, if you go thru Hayward, the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is there. Its pretty cool.

[Hawkeye]

My parents have a resort/island on Lake of the Woods out of Morson, Ontario. My Dad was fishing off of their dock a couple of days ago(he does everyday before going out) and had a GINORMOUS(his word) musky hit his bucktail. He fought it for awhile , but it got off. I know there are several groups that go up there just for musky fishing, but my folks are walleye snobs so they don't target them very often. They have boats and a guide. I think the website is hiddenislandresort.com. There is a picture of a guy with a musky and the resort island is in the background. They aren't very tech savvy(neither am I, I guess), but I've tried to tell them they need to update their pictures on the website because they don't have many big fish pics. There are so many places up there to go so just scout around on the web.

[Fish4Fun]

I am fortunate in the fact that I have fished or personally know people that have fished many of the lakes mentioned so far. Here are a few thoughts.

LOTW-or Lake of the Woods-This is a VERY large lake that for most trips would be fished in sections geographically depending upon where you stay. I know that in terms of multi species you won't find another lake with that kind of scenery around. It is known for quality musky and pike fishing. Their are plenty of resorts and guides to choose from which is good as you have a better idea of finding exactly what you are looking for the price.

Vermillion-I have fished this lake twice. I would it compare it to a smaller lake of the woods but don't let the comparison fool you as I have been approached by several people while on the lake that were lost and miles from where they thought they were. I will add that the walley and smallmouth fishing is fantastic. You will find more pike than muskie but the lakes population of muskie is on the rise. If you want a muskie guide look up muskie tom. He is a great person.

Leech Lake-Another monster of a lake. I fished this one twice as well. Make sure you have a big boat. We took waves 3 and 4 feet at times in deep V 17 foot boat standing still as water was pouring in over the sides. When it is windy you probably won't find a quite place to fish unless you stay at a protected resort. Look up Stony Point Resort if you want a quality place and owners. If you want a better part of the lake for fishing try finding somewhere closer to Walker Bay. This lake is 100,000 acres so there are alot of places to fish. My last trip resulted in a 40 inch 20+ lb obese fish while trolling but I will also add that in that week I only managed 7 fish most being bass or pike.

If you want size and cost doesn't matter go to Canda. Lakes like Eagle, Lac Seul, and countless others will give you a shot at trophy fish and larger size fish on average. However expect to pay a pretty penny for it.

If you want more information on pike and muskie fishing opportunities, places, lakes, and guides look at a Muskie Hunter Magazine towards the back. Most places are in MN, CAN, or WI.

Check your P.M. for one last place to try.