Island Lake, rush lake, or cross lake?

[the man]

On the last weekend of june I have to go up to a cabin for the whole weekend and so I was thinking of doing a little musky fihing on the way up there along I-35 so I was looking at either the rush lakes, cross lake near pine city, or island lake which is a couple of miles south of moose lake. So which one of these lakes would be the best to go to to see some fish or just get some action?

[brmuskie]

If I was just going to run out and fish for a while, I would probably go to Rush Lake. Typical structure for muskies.

[the man]

Have you ever fished cross lake or island lake?

[propster]

Normally I would tell you to give Island a try, but it has sucked so far.

[brmuskie]

yes I have.

[the man]

What are they like? So you would recommend rush over cross or island lake? What one is better for late June west or east? Any recommendations in terms of baits or colors or tips on spots?

Thank You

[RuKiddingMe]

Cross is a flowage and can be difficult to fish so unless you are willing to invest time to learn it I would pass, it's long narrow and for the most part featureless.

Rush has a tendency to get VERY green soupy in the later part of June through September so that could be a water quality [PoorWordUsage] shoot, but a fun lak to fish east is a shallower weedy lake and west is deeper with sharper drops and islands all over.

Have never fished Island so no info to lend there - I do know some others who have and enjoy fishing up there, not really a numbers lake but quality fish I hear.

If you are throwing these lakes around why not slap Mlle Lacs in the mix and fish the south end out of Isle - best shot for a throphy IMHO. The South end could be the ticket with the rocks and weeds.

THEN again I haven't put a fish in he boat yet so what the heck do I know.

Matt

[the man]

any recommendation for fishing rush when it is soupy would west probably be a better option when it is soupy because it is deeper?

[DOHKAY]

Do you want some help picking out an outfit for the day too!!! Not to take a shot at you or anything, but when fishing new water I always think the most fun is figuring it out myself. Pick a lake, find a weedline, throw your favorite bait, and go from there. Let the fish tell you how and where to fish.

[gooty]

well said DOHKAY! Finding these things out is much more rewarding when you do it yourself...and how do people become good muskie fishermen? They get out and figure out this (POORWORDUSAGE) by themselves! Good luck man, every one of these lakes presents you with an opportunity to catch one heck of a muskie

[goblueM]

for what its worth i've taken only 15 casts (off a dock, to boot) in Island Lake and caught a 46 inch ski

[Cooter]

Heard the water level on Island is low?

[FutbolGuru]

Whichever lake you know the best will give you your best shot. If you don't know any of them, fish whichever lake will allow you most time on the water. More time on the water = a slightly better chance at a muskie.

[propster]

Actually water really good on Island, plenty of rain. Access is nice and deep.

[Nick Kuhn]

Cooter might be thinking of the wrong Island Lake.

[mainbutter]

I hit island, no muskies but the small pike were sure aggressive and as ambitious with regards to lure size as always.. lol.

The bass and pike populations there are pretty good, I'm hoping that it correlates to good forage throughout the lake and any musky I see is going to be well fed and big

[fatfinger]

cooter- island lake reservoir just north of duluth is about 4 ft low- not sure about the other island lake near moose lake.