Smaller Musky Lake(s)....

[MuskyBrian]

I'm making a short, pre Canada warmup trip next week. I kinda like to get away from crowds no matter where/when I go fishing...I am familiar with a couple of the smaller lakes in the Grand Rapids area, as well as one in the deep NE Corner of the state...anyone have any recomendations for some of their favorites that might fit this bill? I know all about Mille Lacs, Vermilion, Cass, etc...looking for something different this time

Thanks

Brian

[RK]

Hiya -

Go try the Boy River chain around Longville... Class MN muskie water, and some cool lakes. Can fish several in a couple days, and all of them have fish. Some of them are very underfished too. Not all have huge populations, but all have muskies, and some big ones. Can take the same approach with the Cass chain. Cass isn't the only lake in the chain with muskies...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[propster]

Brian, my son and I were just at the NE lake you mention. Beatiful little lake with almost a Canadian feel to it. However, the fish are small and I would say not any more inclined to eat than anywhere else. In a day and a half of fishing we had 15-20 follows, only one you might classify as "hot". The biggest fish we saw was maybe 33-35 inches, lots only 20-25 inches. So we stopped at the pond on the way home and Monday morning had a big fish blow up on a topwater and Hunter set the hook on a hard hit and his 80# super braid was cut. Either inhaled lure and leader (doubtful) or turned and caught the line on teeth or gill rakers or something. Clean slice. The later he looked down and saw two cruising by - a 52 and about a 44. Hate the crowds but it does have some fish.

[10,000 Casts]

I would make a trek up to Big Detroit then fish Pelican the day, both lakes are easy to fish for a first timer on the lake and they both have really good year classes right now. But they both get pounded.

Plantangenet is kicking out a few right now.

Big by Bemidji is underfished and it has some nice fish.

Elk in Itasca?

Boy/woman chain as Rob mentioned.