Muskie Fishing on North Side of Mille Lacs

[The Freak]

Going to be fishing muskies on Mille Lacs on Thursday, hopefully on the north side. Was looking for a little advise on where to start. I have fished the south side before, but never the north side. Not looking for anyone's hotspot, just for some info.

Thanks

[MLmusky]

Put your boat in at the Red door Resort and get in line... If you don't want to rub elbows you may want to consider other locations of the lake.. Less fish in other locations, but generally more willing to bite...

[RuKiddingMe]

Couple weekends ago we put in at Red Door, nice sheltered launch, and fished from the north side of Garrison up through Wealthwood, seemed the majority of the boats were stacked up pretty heavy in front of the Wealthwood public launch. We picked up a 43" and a bonus 20" Smallie, all fish seen/caught were pretty fair distance from the crowds.

We fished Vineland last weekend and I was amazed how people were out there, getting cut off on our path just like I was fishing in the Metro, seemed we were always fishing "someone elses spot".

Good Luck, post a report.

RU

[CaptainMusky]

The biggest piece of advice would be to unload at a marina. You could use the Wealthwood access, but if the wind is coming in there, you will have a VERY difficult time getting the boat back on.

I have used Myr Mar, but from there it is about 7 miles by water to the "sand" where everyone is talking. I have been to Barnacles before, but not Red Door, I am not real familiar with the places on the lake, maybe they are the same place?

Thursday the crowds should not be too bad. I was out there a couple weeks ago on a Friday and it wasn't bad there is plenty of room to spread out.

I think the wind is forecasted to be out of the South. Hopefully you have a bigger boat. Otherwise it will be tough going and even questionable. The windcast I saw showed 16 knots, that is good for 4 footers up there easy.

If you fish by Wealthwood, fish the outside and inside weed edges. If you fish by the sand, fish shallow. Probably shallower than you ever thought, like 4 feet and less.

Here is a link to a wind forecast site. I found it to be very accurate. The wind was a little lighter than this when I was last out there and I can tell you, it was plenty rough! We were soaked and we had rainsuits on!

http://www.iwindsurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=100&siteID=1403&Isection=Forecast+Graphs

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Watch out for the launch boat with 12 suckers out on bobbers and single hook rigs...

A friend of mine witnessed it earlier this week. Pretty disgusting in my book

[RuKiddingMe]

No kidding a launch full of suckers dipping suckers? That would be truely sad event to witness.

RU

[B420]

Luke,

There have multiple launches doing this since early July, especially in the garrison/north end area. We saw them get a large pike/musky and she went into the net, then into the boat, but never made it back to the water. The handling of fish, from flopping on the deck, to the 5 min. photo shoot was unbelievable. The sad thing is the fish will hit a sucker a lot more than artificials out there

[CaptainMusky]

I wonder if they are out of Myr Mar. We launched there and I asked where the muskies were biting and the guy said "that man is not here yet, he comes in around 9".

[B420]

I know a bunch have been going out of Garrrison Sports, they advertise the pike/musky trip on the radio up here

[MLmusky]

I do not fish the north end anymore, so I have not witness this dump that you guys are speaking of this year... If I did see this, I think I would end my fishing for the day and focus on making sure that fish do not bite their bobbers... At the VERY least they could use quick strike rigs and have people who know how properly handle fish aboard these launch boats... Nothing like trying to ruin a resource to make some cash, reminds me of some other ethics from a guide, I have witnessed on the north shore last year...

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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I know a bunch have been going out of Garrrison Sports, they advertise the pike/musky trip on the radio up here

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That's the one. Completely disgusting!! I know one more place that wont be getting any of my business.

Between them and Mean Gene...

[MLmusky]

Careful Luke, you may get banned from this HSOforum for life by posting the name Gene....

Thanks for the info on Garisson Sports, as I own a cabin on Mille Lacs and fish muskies more than anyone, other than the guides on this lake... I USE to spend time/money in Garisson Sports, but that will be ended...