Suggestions for Northerns

[Lost]

I'll be hunting Northern's for the first time... primarily from shore but once in a while from a boat. Where in the metro area would you suggest and what kinds of baits should I use? I want to get something of decent size.

[Lunker]

Depending on lakes in the metro, some are hard to fish for pike because of large amounts of milfoil. In lakes like these(any of the city lakes, some of the burbs) it can be good to fish off the piers with suckers, cause you are outside of the foil edge. Fishing minnetonka can be fun, fising both artificials and livebait from shore, especially all of the channels, access, and other spots, and the pike are quite large in that lake. Otherwise just cast things like spinnerbaits, cranks, spooks(topwaters) or livebait from shore on lakes where the vegetation isn't to terrible. You'll probably end up catching some nice bass to in the process.

[Chris-Neises]

I would recommend Eagle Lake in Maple Grove. Use a Mepps #4 red/white. One of my favorite areas is casting near the channel that connects Pike Lake to Eagle.

[Corey Bechtold]

By all means go to Buffalo lake. That lake could use some weening of the northerns. Last year I couldn't keep them off the line. Spinnerbaits work great! Early season is best, and there is some good action around the south shore. If you fish early season you will also get a lot of Bass. Remember the season doesn't start until May 29 for Bass. Make sure to have a good stout rod with at least 14lb test for those slimers.

Let me know how you do.

Corey