Northwest Angle Advice

[Fish Head]

Tomorrow, I'm heading to the NW Angle for the first time on a musky fishing trip. I just read somewhere that Doug Johnson, the famed musky guide, said this has been the worst year for musky fishing in the 45 years he has fished the Angle.

Oh great!!! That's NOT what I wanted to hear.... Especially with this big cold front coming in, and this is my first Musky trip up there.

Any advice??

[DHanson]

Find out where and when Doug takes off from and follow him around. Cast at his boat periodically. JK

I think Doug does a lot of trolling up there in the fall, covers water and fast with big cranks. Always an option if the casting thing isn't working.

[djl40]

Spent a week up there about this time of year. Don't be afraid to get up real shallow. I'm talking a foot or less around some of the rock islands. You might encounter a lot of algae. Good time for topwater and I always like to go back to a suick.

Where you staying?

If there was more time, I'd let you take my map with you. You could hit the good spots I have marked and in turn mark it up for the next time I go. There are so many good spots that you will not have time to hit them all.

[Fish Head]

I'll be staying at Oak Island. That would have been a good idea djl40. I would have been happy to mark where we caught or raised fish in exchange, too bad there isn't much time.

With the temps going way south, I would have guessed starting deeper...Maybe 8-15 feet. I was thinking of doing a fair amount of trolling Jakes or Grandmas. I'll keep shallow in mind too than.

Would you guys be using topwater at this time with the temps going south?

[JRedig]

Keep in mind this isn't a typical year. Water temps and conditions may not be like any other year right now.

[Cooter]

Oak Island, might I guess Baystore? If so Frank should be able to steer you in the right direction.

[Shawn Kellett]

I don't know how it's been this year, but Richard P sent me a pic of his longest Angle muskie ever that he caught about a month ago.

[Fish Head]

Sportsman's on Oak Island.

[MikeEiden]

I stay at a friends cabin on Oak to do fall trolling in Oct/Nov most years. My friend lives in Roseau and stays on top of the current fish movement from the resort guys and guides. It just seems that the fish don't start to show up in 8-15' in fair numbers until the water gets around 57 degrees with a steady drop. This isn't concrete but just seems to be a trend that most of the trollers find up there. I would hit the shallow/typical stuff first but if nothing seems to show up on good spots keep the rod holders ready and make a few trolling passes before leaving the area. 10" Jakes with 45-55' of line will get you just bouncing bottom between 8-10' of water.

Good luck...

[MUSKY18]

Shawn:

Nice fish Richard P got....I know that he worked for many, mnay years to land that big girl.

From what I hear, it has been an up and down year. Go out in the morning and not see a fish, go back out in the evening and boat 5. Really funny. Doug does a ton of trolling when it gets colder, don't know if the water has dropped enough in temp yet. Check out his HSOforum and see what he says.

[Zelmsdawg]

Its by no means a secret spot but make sure you hit that red buoy out in front of franks camp to the north of oak. It gives up some fish now and then

Zelmsdawg

[MUSKY18]

Its by no means a secret spot but make sure you hit that red buoy out in front of franks camp to the north of oak. It gives up some fish now and then

Zelmsdawg

But the bouy is there for a reason! If you are really brave, sneak to the inside of the bouy and fish between the shoreline and the bouy.....good stuff!!!

[DHanson]

Happy B-Day Bret!!! Not chucking baits on your b-day???

[MUSKY18]

To much wind and rain....otherwise.........

Will be hitting it this weekend, regardless!!!!

[Genofish]

This might be late but we were up the last week of August fishing the Angle and had no follows in the Bishop Bay area but moved up to Big Narrows the last day and had a 50+ get off, released a 35" and had another follow all in about 2 hours. This was in a bay with a creek inlet.