Fishing online with the Pros

[Rick]

Ron Anlauf

[Guest]

Payton would like to know how long are the catfish in the pictures? How much would they weigh?

[Rick]

There are a lot of catfish.
They weigh from 20 lbs to 48 lbs.

Most are caught relatively close to here on the Minnesota River.

The are called Flathead Catfish.

[Guest]

Tara would like to know how big was the big bass in the picture and how much it weighed?

Sam wants to know where you catch the big muskies?

Spencer wants to know how you catch the really big fish?

Tyler wants to know what bait you use for catfish?

[Guest]

Sam...

Big Muskies huh?

There are a lot of lakes up North where I catch most of mine...Mille Lacs, Leech and Bemidji are my favorites

[Rick]

Big Muskies like Rocks close to deep water.

French Lake close to Faribault holds some dandies. If you check the fishing report page you can see a French lake musky.
Leech lake and Mille lacs are very good musky fisheries.

Did you know there are two common spellings for muskies - musky and muskie.

The bass pictured weigh between 3-5 lbs.

The Flatheads are normally caught on large livebaits like chubs, bullheads, or suckers.

Channle cats are more frequently caught using cutbaits. We'll let Dave explain that one to you.

[Guest]

Spencer....
I try to target the bigger fish by covering a lot of water, looking for the more agressive fish...seems to work well for me.

[can it be luck?]

I'm from WI. where musky's are everywhere! In MN. Leech, Winni, Vermillion, and Lake of the Woods are good musky spots. However musky can be found in many MN. lakes........Catfish? Live bait like nightcrawlers and minnows are good, as well as cut bait, usually from an oily fish. The oil leaves a good scent that the catfish can find. Glad to see so much interest in fishing!! It's a wonderful hobby!!

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[Matt Breuer]

I'm here to help the kids and answer questions as well!

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Matthew J. Breuer
Northcountry Guide Service
[email protected]
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Custom Jigs and Spins
Phelps Tackle
Stone Legacy
Ice Leaders

[This message has been edited by Matt Breuer (edited 01-16-2004).]

[The Chemist]

Bait to use for catfish. Well my bait of choice is either a fathead or crappie minnow. I tend to fish cats more in the winter than in the summer. And contrary to most peoples belief you can catch them through the ice. It is a thrill to land even a 2-3 pounder because of the great fight they give.

[mistermom]

Hey kids!
I'm not pro-staff but; you guys could possibly catch big muskies in French Lake by Faribault. Thats not too far from where you are right now.

mm

[Rick]

As for catching big fish, you have to fish for them where they are.

It;s a known fact that big waters are more likely to harbor larger numbers of big fish. So Lakes like Mille Lacs, Leech, Lake of the Woods, Winnibigoshish are usually good places to look for larger fish.

In the past 5 years or so, huge slab crappies and monster pike have been caught out of Upper Red Lake.

Do not be afraid to use much larger baits than you usually would. The big ones are used to spending very little energy to get their huge meals.

[Tour. Pro 175]

Sam,

I like to fish Mille Lac's for big muskies.
I like to target them on the rock reefs at night. I e-mailed Rick a picture of a 52" muskie I caught 2 years ago. Hopefully he can post it here for you.

Good Fishing,
Paul

[Jim W]

Did you know the real name of a Musky is Muskellunge???

Try saying that 3 times real fast!!!!

[Dan Wood]

Hey Spencer!

Catching the really big fish takes a lot of time on the water in many cases. It helps if your fishing water that is known for big fish too. It is always good to concentrate your efforts during peak fishing times (both weather and time of day) whenever possible. Luck never hurts either!

[can it be luck?]

To catch really big fish you have to fish water that contains them. Knowing fish behavior helps greatly. Read articles, experience, Fishing MN web site, and a little luck will land you some big fish. Good luck fishing!!

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[Rick]

Paul Czajkowski
Tour.Pro.175

[can it be luck?]

Wow! That fish is huge!!

[Guest]

Kids,
Every lake has big fish...the trick is getting them to bite.

Someone once said.....PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

[Guest]

Sean wants to know how big can walleyes get?

Tyler wants to know how big was the biggest muskie in the picture was?

James wants to know how big the biggest large mouth bass in the pictures was?

Cody wants to know where to catch big walleyes?

How big can walleyes get in inches Tyler K. wants to know?

[Rick]

I would also highly recommend that you all set-up a date to have Dave Hoggard take you out ice fishing on an area lake.

He can teach you a lot and I'm sure he'd be happy to do it.

There are some big fish close to home here as well.

Isn't that right Dave?

[Dan Wood]

Hey Tyler,
They sure use some interesting baits fishing for cats!

Frogs, bullheads, stink bait, cutbait, etc.

[Rick]

Here is a 14.7 lb walleye caught on Lake of the Woods right where the Rainy River enters.

[can it be luck?]

I fish a lot on Lake Erie. Erie is one of the best in the world for walleye fishing. 10# fish can be caught daily. I'm not sure about MN., but the WI. state record walleye is 18 #s, caught on High Lake in Vilas county. That's one big fish!!

[Chris Haley]

The world record walleye weighs 25 lbs, and the MN state record is over seventeen.

The biggest walleyes in any body of water will be located in a spot that has good structure nearby to deep water. They will always be found found nearest the most forage. Large schools of shad, tulibee, and perch are the favorites of large walleye.