Muskie lakes?

[Griggs]

I just wanted to get some suggestions as to some good Muskie lakes here near the metro. I'm looking for maybe a mid size lake, 300-800 acres, maybe with a little less boat traffic or at least out of the metro a ways. Maybe a hour or two from Apple Valley (where I live)

Bald Eagle is a good size, but its in the metro so it gets a workout and the water isnt as clean. I know of a couple in Wisconsin but I'm looking for one in Minnesota

Just curious if anyone had any suggestions, thanks

[RuKiddingMe]

Maybe try the East and West Rush, just up 35, Cross Lake isn't much further. If you are interested in Tigers, big Tigers you might want to try Lake Elmo, though it will be a tough nut to crack (deep and incredibly clear)it may be worth it. St.Croix might not be a bad option either, not much information out there about the rivers in MN.

Good Luck

RU

[Griggs]

Thanks

Are we talking about the Rush lakes in Chisago? Cross lake in Pine county?

For those lakes the DNR lake finder doesnt have a lot of good things to say about Muskie populations. Catch many there?

Any other lakes?

[RuKiddingMe]

Yep those are them. Funny thing about those DNR serveys is that the Muskies almost always show low numbers. I haven't fished Rush lakes but have friends that have and do well. I have fished Cross a few times, nothing landed but seen few.

RU

[Tonka Boy]

Eagle in Maple Grove, or the inner city lakes are good options. Gander sells a map book with MN muskie lakes. Not the best maps (hot spots), but you'll know exactly which lakes to hit. You'd be amazed how many there really are!

[mudman]

Griggs

Best bet for muskies in the metro in AV would be to get out of bed early or go out after dark,

Caught quite a few 40" in crystal about 3-4 yrs ago then moved so I haven't been there in a while, I know orchard has them and cedar does too. then there is always minnetonka

[Griggs]

Yea I fish Crystal pretty often and got a couple tigers out of there last year. But I'm looking for something a bit out of town, not really in the metro. Just for the purposes of cleaner water and less traffic.

[Giant_Jackpot]

Try French down by Faribault.

[hip_hop_fisherman]

I second the MN Muskie Lakes map book. They have plenty of suggestions in there.

[scsavre]

Frech is under 1000 and has had muskies in it for along time. It can get pretty busy on the weekends though.

Forest Lake isn't too bad abit bigger though.

As stated earlier Both Rush lakes can be good.

North of there is island lake. Fished it once boated a 36. This lake is pretty easy to fish. It is only like 500 some acres.

[guideman]

If your're willing to drive a few more minutes I would just go to Mille Lacs. Lots of Big Muskies and you can be there in just over an hour. Then there is the Mississippi river, miles of Muskies and nobody's fishing.

"Ace"

[Griggs]

well Mille Lacs sorta breaks the size i was looking for. I just dunno. I'm not sure where I want to frequent this year.

[Griggs]

if anyone else has any suggestions I'd appricate it.

[Metroguy99]

Head straight for inner city fishing MPLS. Calhoun, Harriet all have gaint muskies swimming in their waters. Don't usually fish muskies but have had so many accidental hook-ups its amazing. Very large fish in each too. I've seen so many 45+ fish in Harriet its rediculous. The inner city lakes are heaviley fished, but its not bad. The gas motor restriction distracts a large amount of boat anglers. Lots of shore muskie fisherman... and there catching them too. Calhoun has very large Tiger Muskie. I think a former, posibbly still standing state record tiger was taken from Calhoun. Hope i was some help..

[EYEHUNTER10]

Yep midnight on a fullmoon, only time I ever had one to the boat it hit me so hard though it seperated the barel swivel into two pieces only it didn't come apart until the pig wore out and next to the boat, I was trolling with the biggest gold/black husky jerk money can buy for walleyes on a small lake that isn't supposed to have muskies in it. I have a 14 foot boat and this pig was at least half the size of my boat a nice trophy, I almost cried when we tried to lift it out and watch it swim away with my seven dollar lure and half a barrel swivel left on the end of my super line, my arm still hurts from that thing hitting me so hard, I'll never use a barel swivel again especially speed trolling with superline lol that was kinda dumb

[scsavre]

A couple more lakes within an hour of the cities are Bone and Deer lakes in Wisc. They are some of the oldest most well known muskie waters out there. These lakes are supposed to have the highest number of fish per acre out there.

Many many muskie of all sizes. Very smart fish though. These lakes can be pretty busy though, but it seems that if you are doing the right thning you can boat one right behind someone else.

Weekdays are a plus. Bone lake is very good in June.

[Griggs]

What county are thos wisc lakes in?

[scsavre]

Bone is in Polk county just north of Balsam Lake town. Deer is in west Polk 5 miles east of St. Croix falls. Deer is right off of Couty 8, from forest lake.

[tonyjor]

Lake Owasso in Ramsey county is featured in this week's Outdoors Weekly. Nice small lake with minimal traffic and decent muskies. After the feature, it may be a little busier this summer, though.

[scsavre]

I live less then a mile from owasso it does have some potential. I found a 49 inch muskie dead on shore there. So there are some big dogs in there even though it is only 350 acres.

It is also very easy to fish with minimal fishing pressure.

[Griggs]

where can I pick up a Outdoor Weekly? And which issue is it fo sure? (Just want to make sure I get the right one)

[tonyjor]

Almost any bait store has them on the counter. It's Vol. 32, issue #4. There's a pic of a guy in black with a nice walleye on the cover. They're only a dollar an issue. If you're not sure you have the right issue, look at the last page to see the lake map.

[Griggs]

I think the stores have a newer one out now, the feature lake is little pine? O well, too bad for me I guess.

If anyone has anymore lake ideas, keep em coming

[Fisher Dave]

Bone lake in WI is kinda like fishing the Minnetonka crappie contest every weekend... but for muskies. I have family with a place on the lake, there are fish there, but they have a college degree equivelent of a fish education on fisherman.

I'll put in another vote on the inner city lakes.. lots of fish, lots of big fish.

Lake Minnetonka is the only other that comes to mind so close... yes, it is big, but you dont have to try to fish the entire lake in a day.. or a week. I have done ok in the area from grays bay to browns bay, and just about everywhere in between. Take small sections of the lake and hit it hard. This muskies are way less educated than most other muskie lakes because they dont get much pressure.

[markkstanley]

Minnetonka nope no muskies there! I fish it all summer mostly the west end. The pressure has increased every year especially since the PMT has been running a fall tournament on it every year it seems. That said there are a lot of big ones in Tonka and plenty of structure to fish. Don't worry about the pleasure boats - the muskies are used them and it also means Tonka always has a musky chop going.