Lake Harriet and Calhoun

[Moneymurphy]

My friend just got a canoe and we want to fish Harriet and Calhoun for big bass, musky and northern. Any tips for big fish in those lakes?

[bronzeback]

yeah, use a boat

[AnglerX]

yeah, use a boat

No need for a boat out on those lakes as long as you are prepared with normal release tools. Harriet does have an algae bloom so the water is murkier than normal. Fish off the outside edges in 18+ FOW.....and don't overlook the less than 3FOW as well. Calhoun can be a tougher nut to crack as there is limitless structure, nooks and crannies, and everywhere looks good. Basically, the fish in that lake have many, many options as to where they will be. Good Luck and report back if you run into something.

[JimBuck]

Spend the money and get the proper release tools as AnglerX suggested. A good net, hook cutter, longnose pliers are a must have. The canoe should work great out there. Study and print off some lake maps from the lakefinder and go get em'.

[roughfish29]

on harriet, there is a rocky shorline by the sailboats. about 20ft out is a good sized drop-off. i don't really fish that lake but i heard its a good spot for carp and muskie

keep us posted!

[Zelmsdawg]

Hope you've read the book The Old Man and the Sea because I've caught some upper 30" pike in a canoe and if thats any indication, between hooking a larger ski and landing it you're gonna be an old man and won't be close to where you hooked the fish...fun times though, let us know how you do

Good luck,

Zelmsdawg

[Zelmsdawg]

Oh, and don't forget about isles and cedar, both smaller water that makes canoeing easier and gets less pressure

Zelmsdawg

[SunneyeDay]

Brownie can be good for some pike too-

Did anyone see the picture of the kid with the 6lb+ hog out of Harriet? That thing was ugly as all heck.

Its in the star tribune outdoors photo gallery.

[Moneymurphy]

Thanks for all the tips. I've gone twice in the last week to Harriet, no muskies or northern but caught 12 bass, the biggest 2 were 18 and 19.5 inches