Northern Minnesota Fishing

[gonfishn]

I have a summer home just north of Walker and over the years have fished most of the big lakes,leech,Cass,Red Lake,but have never fished Lake Winnibigoshish. I have heard that it has some excellant Muskie fishing. Areas to start would be greatly appreciated. Going in June for a couple of wks., and would like to add this to my list or other lakes that may offer these lunkers.

 

[dkhntr]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Winnie is an excellant lake. We were up there about 2 yrs ago and had the time of my life.<br />(every year our family rents a cabin for week.)<br /><br />Might I suggest http://www.fishingmn.com <br /><br />They have excellant advise on all areas and some experts on the bigger lakes like Mille laces, leech and winnie. I am currently recieving updates for the Whitefish chain of lakes right now.<br /><br />Or this should take you directly to the Winnie forum: Winnie area forum <br /><br />~Chris

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Thanks dkhntr for the site links. Have you ever heard of Steamboat Lake(not Bay)? It connects into Leech Lake via Steamboat river.

 

[JB]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Hey, Gonfishn!!<br /><br />Man, you have me hopping up and down. My son and I go to LOTW each Summer for a week of Musky (walleye, smallie and snakes, too) fishing. Our reservations aren't 'til the end of July and I don't think I can wait!! We have gone there or Leech every summer since he was 7 (except the 6 years he was in the USMC). That will be 29 years this year.<br /><br />I really think LOTW is the greatest fishing hole on the planet. It's not just the fishing, which is super; It is the environment. We can fish all day and may see 1 to 6 other boats. <br /><br />Have a good time, take good photos of the big ones and release them healthy.

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Howdy gonefishn! I go to big Winnie every year for the past 5 or so seasons. It's a great lake. I to will be up there from June 15th thru the 22nd staying at Tamarack Lodge. Will you be staying at a lodge? I have alway's found that Cutfoot sioux holds good Muskie and large northern. I don't normally fish for Muskie's all week, just a day or so. I like hammering the 5 lb largemouth that nobody fishes for. There is a lodge on the south shore that does Muskie guide trips. Sorry I can't give you more info, like my hotspots. Let me know when you will be up there, maybe we can get together for a beer and talk about the day's fishin.

 

[dkhntr]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

gonfishn, Never heard of steam boat lake. I am going to check it out on the lake finder at mn dnr web site.<br /><br />~Chris

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

hey dkhntr<br />Don't feel bad if you can't find Steamboat Lake. The reason i mentioned it is because my homestead is their and wanted to know if you had been in that part of Minn. it sits between Walker and Cass lake on 371. Its just a speck on the map with no public acess except through the local resorts. Its less than 2,000 acres. I try to fish at least a couple of different lakes when i'm up north. Heading their in a week. Lake Whinny is on my hit list this year. JW

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Hello 495v<br />Will be up north from the 5th to the 22. I have a homestead just north of Walker on a Lake very few people know of which is ok which makes for less pressure. Lake whinny,Lone Wolfe and Ten mile are on my spots this year. Of course Steamboat is where i dock. Your right about the bass. They are hardly fished for. Thanks for the info,but from what I hear you don't need a hook. If you look right they just jump in the boat begging you to take them home. I'll call the lodge and leave you a message. Will give you a number to reach me. The 17th looks about the only time I'll be able to share a few beers and a bunch of lies. If we don't touch base good luck and I'll let the good ones go for you.<br /><br /> You can tell a fisherman is lying usually when his lips are moving

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Sounds good, Gonefishn. Drop me a line and we'll try and get together for a drink. I will be going up there with 8 other buddies. I put this trip together every year and my buddies love it. Maybe we can get out for some muskie's, since none of my buddies fish for them. Good talking, and make sure you leave some action for me since you have almost a two week head-start.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Hey 495V<br /><br /> What I'll do is is leave my name at the lodge which is JEFF(gonfishn)and give you a number to call me. Since I don't know your first name you will know who called. Heard it was in the 80's Wednesday in Bemidji. <br /><br /> Jeff

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Sounds good! My name is Paul Gonzalez and my group and I will be in duplex 3. The owner's of Tamarack are Jeff and Laura Starks, very nice people. My group will be happy to hear 80's. I'd prefer 70's and rain, but o'well. Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[JB]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

You guys are gonna make me cry!<br /><br />I remember it as Steamboat Bay. Oh, well. They say that the memory is the second thing to go. I forgot what the first one was.<br /><br />I will expect a report when you get home.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Your memory isn't bad JB just a little east. If you head up Steamboat River from Steamboat Bay you end up in Steamboat Lake.

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

It'll be okay there JB. I'll be sure to give you a report. If there were phone lines I could bring my laptop, but no dice. That would really be great incase I had some kind of mishap, the king-ding-a-lings could bail me out!(knock on wood) I'm sure your trip to LOTW is just around the corner. By then I will be back at work, and I will be the one crying.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Hey JB<br /> I've got you all fixed up. Every couple days I'm going to call my partner who will post you so you don't feel left out. Ever here of a lure called the Grim Reaper? The first 40inch plus I will point towards Texas and release it and now that I've jinxed myself I'll shut up. 495V and I are going to try and hook up at Lake Whinny. So the stories are going to be real good when when we get back.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

Hello 495V<br /> It all sounds good to me. The Tenth we are going to scout for areas and hopefully on the 17th will know alittle more about Whinny. My Homestead is only about 40 miles from your dock. JB sure has the itch does'nt he. Just remember to keep our stories the same.<br /><br /> Five Days and Counting

 

[JB]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

hey.<br /><br />You guys spend a few Summers in West Texas and you will learn what musky fishing itch really is.<br /><br />Here it's 103 to 110, doesn't rain between June and October, air doesn't move enough to bend a smoke trail, sky and grass is yellow or brown. In Musky country its 65 to 80 with light breezes and blue skies full of cotton-ball cumuli. AAAUUUUGGGHHH!!!<br /><br />Have fun. I will be there in spirit, tossing a Mepps Musky Killer or a Rapala 18GFR.

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

I'm for the Mepp's muskie killer's....my bait of choice! 2 WEEKS AND COUNTING!!!!!!!

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

I agree the Meps is a killer for alot of fish. Try www.grimreaperlures.com. These are also some great lures. Fishing is about having some fun and enjoying it with your friends no matter what you catch. I to am bringing my son up this year. Its been five years since his last trip. He is really pumped up and has bragging to me for a week about how he is going to smoke me.

 

[495v]

Re: Northern Minnesota Fishing

How old is your son? I remember growing up, I used to love the summer fishing trips. Used to fish Nelson lake in Hayward, Wi every year. What kind of boat will you be running up there?