Whitefish Lake, August

[50inchpig]

Hi - I'm a musky guy from Minnesota, will be spending a week in August on Whitefish Lake for vacation. I may not have access to a boat and I'm just trying to catch something. I'd appreciate any basic tips or suggestions on species/techniques.

Also will be able to bring some equipment and wondering what my normal setups would be. Thanks

[mjhowe]

Hey 50...

Thats right up my ally. Fishing from shore in August will be tough, but doable. Bring a med-med light spinning out fit and maybe a med-heavy casting set up. Lakers and rainbows/cutts are going to be the most likely targets, but some pike also.

Do you know what area of the lake you will be on? More than likely the eastern shore if you are in a rental. There are places you can rent a float tube, and even a small boat/motor. If I am around then, I might even be able to schedule an evening trip. That time of the year, trolling the south western shore, over by the state park and golf course, is usually reliable for lakers up to 10-12 pounds. Not hogs, but fun fish.

The northern portion of the lake holds some nice pike, but in August they are not going to be the most active fish in the lake. I think trolling for lakers and early morn/late evening casting for rainbows are going to be your best bet.

Keep in touch with me, we will get you onto some fish!

[50inchpig]

thanks mike, i have a float tube was planning on packing it. your suggestions were very helpful with tackle, would the lakers and rainbows go for egg baits? i think we are on the east side, not sure of all the details yet.

are you a guide? most of the guide packages i found online were a little pricey for me for a full day trip, but i'd be very interested in an evening trip if you're available, guide or not, probably would bring the girlfriend if that's ok, I'd at least be happy to pay for gas and bait.

never caught a laker, so a 10 pound fish would make my week. any fish, for that matter, would make my week. if you prefer to talk privately my email is [email protected]. thanks again!

[mjhowe]

nope, not a guide, just try not to ever give a good reason to go fishing slip by! I have had some success in years past just trolling along th south west shore in late summer.

Spinners will work best from shore or a float tube, trolling big spoons as deep as possible from a boat.

Lets keep in touch as summer gets closer and we will see what we can do to get you on some fish.

[50inchpig]

I appreciate it Mike, we'll talk soon.

[50inchpig]

Mike, my week in Montana got cut to 3 days, thus, it'll be family time instead of fishing time (3 days off the water is an eternity for me). I appreciate the offer for fishing though. We made it up to Whitefish lake last night. It's impossible not to like the lakes and the land here. We're headed out to the park today to check out M(a)cDonald and do some hiking. If I wasn't already obsessed with muskies I could definitely spend some real time out here. Let me know if you're even in MN and want to hit the water. Good luck to you the rest of the season!

[macgruber]

probably too late, but if you're headed into the park, wander up to the top of going to the sun road and park at logan visitor center...... then hike the boardwalk trail to hidden lake..... it's like 3 miles of the easiest hiking you can imagine (1.5 if you don't go down to the lake and stay up at the overlook), amazingly scenic, and if you tote along a rod with a little spinner, down at the lake you can pretty much catch large yellowstone cutthroat at will..... just find a drop-off and yer golden...... you can ask at the visitor center, but i don't even think you need a permit/license to fish...... it's c&r in the lake....

[50inchpig]

yeah we actually did go to logan pass and hiked out to the lake, didn't have any equipment or anything but i saw enough wildlife on the way to satisfy me for the day. hard to look down on that pristine lake and see all the trout picking bugs off the surface and not fish down there. i'm back on my lakes today to scratch the itch though.