Northern Minnesotas best Bet for Musky and Big Pike

[74mph]

Hey Guys I am new to minnesota fishing but plan to take several 3 day weekends up north this summer after those 40 inch pluss fish. I have heard good stuff about Vermillion. What is your take on lakes like Rainy, Kabetagoma, Lac La Croix, ect. Ive got to figureout the best way to use my vacation! Thanks Guys -(Contact Us Please)

[DancesWithWaves]

Rainy is good for pike, especially if your willing to travel. I made a trip up to Ash bay on the Canadian side and did great. We ended up with 20+ fish all in the 10-15lb range with a couple nicer ones.

[harvey lee]

Dont overlook Mille Lacs for both and Upper Red for some nice fish also.

[10,000 Casts]

For Pike,

Another vote for Upper Red.

For Muskies,

Vermillion, Cass, NW Angle or Sabaskong on Lake of The Woods

Good Luck,

John

[bassNspear]

Cass Lake has some Monster Muskey and Pike.

The pond can hold its own as well.

But i believe, that rainy and red are the top lakes in this area. Its pretty tough to beat these two lakes. As everyone knows, the pictures and stats i believe can back it up.

[Esoxmn]

URL for pike, Mile lacs or the big v for ski's. But with only three days you might be better off hiring a guide for at least the first day. Those are some big bodies of water to find the fish on your own.

[Muskycrazy]

Esoxmn has a great point in hiring a guide . I fished Vermilion last year for 16 hrs one day last year with only a 45" Northern to show for it . At one point a guide was following us around and then we followed him for a bit, but in the end he had a better idea of where to fish that day . It was a June day and the fishing was slow and I think if you want to maximize your fishing a guide would be the way to go . But there is a lot to be said for going it on your own , just come up with a good fishing stratagy and try and stick with it .

[bigreddog]

I have an uncle who lives on Vermillion and he says 50+ inch muskies are quite frequent. Lake of the woods is also another great muskie fishery. Both hold gigantic pike also.

[74mph]

Thanks Fellas! I truley appreciate all of your help and ill do my best to CPR some nice fish from as many of these spots as I can afford to try. All the advice is appreciated, keep it coming if you think of anything more. -Andy

[Fish&Fowl]

Rainy and LOW for pike.

LOW for muskies.

[Random guy]

URL for the Pike. Yes I'm am a bit biased but some hogs come out on a regular basis. Lake of the Woods has some tankers also.

Muskie I have to go with the Fab Five

1)Leech

2)Cass/Pike Bay

3)Vermillion

4)Mille Lacs

5)Lake of the Woods