City Lake Muskies?

[Hawks]

Are there really MUSKIES in the city lakes? I can't believe I have wasted all of my time tanning with my wife when I could have been launching my huge Muskie lures into these tiny lakes to entertain myself. I am relatively new to the Twin Cities and Muskie fishing and would appreciate any information on where to fish for Tigers on Calhoun, Cedar, or Lake Nokomis.
Last year I "got hooked" on Muskies while on my first trip to Lake Vermillion. I had a huge follower but couldn't get her to bite. She basically played me . . . followed all the way to the boat, did the figure 8 and swam away. I plan to spend several weekends and vacation days on the Big V this summer but would love to practice on these city lakes. If anyone has any pointers on where to start (especially on Calhoun or Cedar, my wifes favorite tanning lakes) I would greatly appreciate it. Best of luck to all of you! Open water is right around the corner!

[guideman]

Hi Hawks,
Before my move to Vermilion I lived in MPLS just 2 blocks from Lake Nokomis.
Nokomis had a good tiger population in years past but I'm not to sure how it is now.

Calhoun was stocked with the Leech lake strain muskies, as well as Tigers and
several 30lb fish have been taken there
over the years.

Most of the action is on the weedlines that circle the lake. You can also find some good docks, but some of them are posted "NO FISHING".

I haven't fished Cedar in many years, so I'm not to sure how the muskies are doing. I think you can buy a metro area muskie guide at several metro area bait
shops.

All the lakes have good boat ramps but parking can be a problem, especially at lake Calhoun. The puplic landing, is on the south side of the lake, near 36th
street.

Permits are available at the courthouse for your boat and your trolling motor.
You can use any boat but the gas motor
most be out of the water while your on the lake.

There is also a boat rental on Calhoun, so all you need is a trolling motor if you don't have a boat. Using a canoe is always an option but it can be tough to
handle a big fish by yourself.
Good Luck Hawk!

------------------
Terry Sjoberg
Ace guide service.
Beautiful Lake Vermilion.
www.aceguideservice.com

[Hawks]

Guideman, thanks for your reply. You have given me a reason to not completely hate living in the big city. I have another question for you.

Since visiting Lake Vermillion last summer, I have begun buying various Muskie lures and baits. In your opinion, what are some "must haves" as far as Muskie Lures?

I have a couple of Suicks, A big Northland Muskie spinner, a 10" Jake, an 8" Jake, some Big Bucktails, and a some huge spoons.

Should I invest in a Depth Raider, Top Raider, Cisco Kid etc?

I am just looking for a little professional direction/suggestion before I head out to buy all of these new toys. I plan to spend several long weekends and vacation days on Vermillion this summer so whatever works there would be nice to have.

Also, do you know of any great Muskie tackle stores in the Twin Cities area? I usually go to Gander Mountain, but their Muskie selection seems pretty limited.

You don't have to tell me all of your secrets, but a hint or two would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again Guideman!

Hawks

Sidenote: Cliff's situation sounds horrible! I hope everything turns out o.k. for everyone on that road.

[Guest]

Hawks,

For the ultimate in Muskie tackle try Thorne Bros. in Fridley 763-572-3782

Paul

[Guest]

Hawks, as Paul said you can't beat Thorne Brothers. They'll help you out. Great selection of lures, rods, and reels.

Another place to shop is Fleet Farm in Brooklyn Park. They have a large sporting good section. One whole isle dedicates to muskie lures. Right now they are between seasons so the selection is limited, but shop there in another month or so.

I would suggest hiring Guideman to figure out Vermilion, especially if you are going to spend some time on it. I plan on fishing with him this summer, building projects permitting.

Rob

[guideman]

Hi Hawks,
You have a good start to you collection
of baits. I would recommend some good
top water stuff for Vermilion.

Top Raiders, thunderheads, Creepers at least 2 hog wobblers ...Buzzbaits are
also a good option.

Stay away from the pretty baits and buy the ones that catch fish, ask the guy's at Thorne Bro's for their advice.

The jakes are one of my favorite baits,
they are very effective here on the big
"V".

Pick up a jerk bait or 2, reef hogs are
a favorite of mine along with Bobbies,
Cobb's, Crane baits just to name a few.

You can fish just about every type of
water and most conditions with just a few baits if you buy the right ones.

The most important thing, is to learn how to present the lures you do have.
The correct presentation, at the right
time will put more fish in the boat.

------------------
Terry Sjoberg
Ace guide service.
Beautiful Lake Vermilion.
www.aceguideservice.com

[Hawks]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I'm headin to Thorne Bros. this weekend! I discovered they've got a pretty nice HSOforum also! Hope to see you all on the Big V this summer!

[This message has been edited by Pwaldow123 (edited 02-14-2002).]

[minnphatts]

Hawks,
Don't be afraid to try some more unorthadox approches to the muskies in the city lakes along with the standard approaches.

One of my most productive baits over the last couple of years has been the 5.75-10" Fin-s-fish soft plastic jerk baits fished right on the shallow milfoil flats and edges that are abundant on Harriet, Isles, and Cedar. Also even smaller surface baits, like a bass-style buzzbaits can outproduce some of the muskie standards (bucktails, jerkbaits etc.) at times.

My experience is that Cedar is the best "numbers" lake for both muskies and tigers, with the better quality fish coming from Harriet, and to a lesser extent Calhoun .

Good Luck!

[Guest]

As I recall, the previous state record tiger muskie taken in Calhoun was caught from shore. The current record, 34 lb 12 oz tiger, was taken in Lake Elmo, which is hardly rural. Twin Cities lakes do hold good fish.

[Biggestfish]

My father in-law has a place on Lake Elmo, We had tried to fish it a few times on the weekends when I was down visiting. The boat traffic was so bad we had to give it up. We had waterskiers coming between us and shore and we were not more than about 100 feet out. I know that there is big fish in there, but from what I saw it would be best to fish during the week.

------------------
Just having Fun.
Love to Fish.

[BIG]

...most metro lakes are like Lake Elmo in
the summer - on the weekends...fish in the Fall, at nite, early morning; no easy answers

for new guys to musky fishing - try Musky Hunter magazine - good articles and info.