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| Heading to Little Wolf Lake in northern Minnesota. We will be staying at the Little Wolf Lake Resort during the last week of June. Just wondering if anyone has fished it and if anyone can provide some helpful advise. Thanks. |
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| Fished it many times. Neat little lake. There really isnt much to the lake, no midlake structure, pretty much just weedlines around the whole lake and a large bullrush bed on the East side.
There are some decent fish in there and you will likely see quite a few.
It is a brood-stock lake for the DNR and I have heard some interesting stories from the wardens up there about the fish they trapped for stripping purposes. |
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Posts: 53
Location: Elk River,MN | It's a boring lake to fish IMO. I fished it a handful of times in college and did boat some fish, all between 36"-40". Last year I was going to fish the big lakes and it was way too windy so I stopped by for old times sake and did boat the biggest fish I've ever heard of coming out of that lake, so I guess there might be a few lunkers out there. The resort owner told me before I was going out to launch that the walleyes were really hot, the same time you will be going up there.
My tip from my college days (Pre-cowgirls)
The ONLY thing we could get them to eat was a nickel bladed harrasser with black hair. Most of this fishing was done in early October.
Edited by beavergrad 6/3/2011 1:26 PM
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| Thanks for the info guys. I look forward to fishing it and maybe the big water next door. |
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| beavergrad - 6/3/2011 1:23 PM
It's a boring lake to fish IMO. I fished it a handful of times in college and did boat some fish, all between 36"-40". Last year I was going to fish the big lakes and it was way too windy so I stopped by for old times sake and did boat the biggest fish I've ever heard of coming out of that lake, so I guess there might be a few lunkers out there. The resort owner told me before I was going out to launch that the walleyes were really hot, the same time you will be going up there.
My tip from my college days (Pre-cowgirls)
The ONLY thing we could get them to eat was a nickel bladed harrasser with black hair. Most of this fishing was done in early October.
Good point about the walleyes. It's loaded with them and nice ones too. The last time I fished it I saw walleyes all over the place in shallow water sandy areas. I could see white tips everywhere. Would be something with trying for sure. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Beaver, how big? |
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| There are two big fish in that lake. 1 is about 51", the other is 49.5". There are 6 fish that are between 42" and 46", and about 84 muskies under 38". If you fish it hard for a week you might just see every one of those smaller fish, you might see one of the bigger ones, you might burn about 3 gallons of gas in your boat, you will get dizzy from fishing around the whole lake 8 times a day, and you will have named a few fish that you keep seeing over and over but don't catch.
It is a fun little lake though - good luck!
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | The largest Muskie I ever heard from Little Wolf was 55 inches. I fished it a few times and saw a couple of similar fish. Caught a few decent fish too.The big ones aren't where you expect them though. Hint - think deep and deeper.
It is a small lake though and one will see the same fish over and over. That is definately true. And Little Wolf is not a "trophy" lake by any means. It is more of a numbers lake. Good lake if you want to see and catch a few average sized fish. Not so much if you want to catch a fish of a lifetime.
You also might want to try Big Wolf next door. There are more big fish in there and there is a lot less fishing pressure. Big Wolf doesn't have as many fish per acre, but there is enough to fish for. And don't forget the other area lakes. Many others close by and within easy trailering range.
Good luck.
Edited by Herb_b 6/6/2011 1:04 PM
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Posts: 53
Location: Elk River,MN | Propster - 6/5/2011 10:36 PM
Beaver, how big?
49.5. Glad to hear there are multiple fish over 50" in that lake. |
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Posts: 463
| So your saying you saw a couple of fish at or near 55 inches? |
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Posts: 123
Location: Bemidji, MN | If he says yes are you heading out there in instant? I've heard of large fish caught out there, and many in the 40" class. |
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| Little is a great place to fish. Not alot of big fish but plenty of action. Tom and Sandy at the resort will make you feel welcome. They have very nice cabins and they are clean. Lots of lakes in the area if you want to get out and explore. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I haven't fished it a lot the last few years, but yes, I've seen a couple of fish there in the mid-50 inch range (54-55) and I expect there may be a couple in there right now. But they do hang more in open water and aren't so easy to find. As you know, big fish are typically smarter and more conditioned than smaller fish.
That said, I wouldn't fish Little Wolf if my only objectve was to catch a mid-50 inch Muskie. For really big fish, I would go to Cass, Plantaganette (sp?), or Bemidji. Actually, some of the smaller lakes in the Cass chain may provide the best bet at this time of year. Cass seems to be better later in the year, but the smaller lakes in that chain can be hot right now.
One good option would be to stay at Little Wolf resort and then trailer over to other lakes. I believe they offer camping and cabin options.
Good luck.
Edited by Herb_b 6/8/2011 9:25 AM
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Posts: 53
Location: Elk River,MN | Agreed. For a real shot a trophy you have a bunch of options before Little Wolf.
Also Big Lake and Andrusia can be added to that list.
Herb_b - 6/8/2011 9:15 AM
I haven't fished it a lot the last few years, but yes, I've seen a couple of fish there in the mid-50 inch range (54-55) and I expect there may be a couple in there right now. But they do hang more in open water and aren't so easy to find. As you know, big fish are typically smarter and more conditioned than smaller fish.
That said, I wouldn't fish Little Wolf if my only objectve was to catch a mid-50 inch Muskie. For really big fish, I would go to Cass, Plantaganette (sp?), or Bemidji. Actually, some of the smaller lakes in the Cass chain may provide the best bet at this time of year. Cass seems to be better later in the year, but the smaller lakes in that chain can be hot right now.
One good option would be to stay at Little Wolf resort and then trailer over to other lakes. I believe they offer camping and cabin options.
Good luck. |
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| Herb_b
with all respect.... i cannot imagine a 54-55 inch muskie in Little Wolf Lake. Not even the initial stocking class. Not now, not ever. Im not saying that muskie can't grow to that size in lakes under 500 acres, im not saying muskies can't grow that big on a sucker/panfish diet. Im just saying that I highly doubt you, or anyone else for that matter has ever or will ever seen/see a 54 inch plus class muskie in Little Wolf Lake.
50 inchers, maybe a handful in there. 52 inchers... mayyyybbeeee 1. Go there and have a blast and get some action with some solid fish, but not a 54-55. End of story.
As for the intial question joev...
you picked a wonderful place to stay. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Fish the eastside of the lake, they'll be a good weed edge there. They'll be coontail and sandgrass outside of the cabbage. Try it all, but we've had good success with weagle type baits during the low light conditions, and mag dawgs during the high sky. Many people fish that eastside weed edge so don't be afraid to look around the lake. It's small enough to figure out pretty quickly. Theres also a decent weededge in the northeast corner, but not a whole lot of cabbage in there and it shallower. You should be timing it correctly for a good casting bite out there. If for some reason the muskies give you fits, give the eyeballs a try out there, they're easy to catch in the main basin of the lake.
Good luck!
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Posts: 437
| Drew MacNair - 6/9/2011 12:04 AM
Herb_b
with all respect.... i cannot imagine a 54-55 inch muskie in Little Wolf Lake. Not even the initial stocking class. Not now, not ever. Im not saying that muskie can't grow to that size in lakes under 500 acres, im not saying muskies can't grow that big on a sucker/panfish diet. Im just saying that I highly doubt you, or anyone else for that matter has ever or will ever seen/see a 54 inch plus class muskie in Little Wolf Lake.
50 inchers, maybe a handful in there. 52 inchers... mayyyybbeeee 1. Go there and have a blast and get some action with some solid fish, but not a 54-55. End of story.
As for the intial question joev...
you picked a wonderful place to stay. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Fish the eastside of the lake, they'll be a good weed edge there. They'll be coontail and sandgrass outside of the cabbage. Try it all, but we've had good success with weagle type baits during the low light conditions, and mag dawgs during the high sky. Many people fish that eastside weed edge so don't be afraid to look around the lake. It's small enough to figure out pretty quickly. Theres also a decent weededge in the northeast corner, but not a whole lot of cabbage in there and it shallower. You should be timing it correctly for a good casting bite out there. If for some reason the muskies give you fits, give the eyeballs a try out there, they're easy to catch in the main basin of the lake.
Good luck!
Talk to some of the fisheries guys in Bemidji who have been netting the muskies for years for brood stock. They will tell you what is possible in Little Wolf and it contradicts what you have said above.
There are, or at least have been, fish of this caliber in this lake. A couple of which have been bonked. One was pictured at LeRoy's minnows several years ago. That fish was well over 40 pounds.
Mother Theresa was one affectionately named fish from Little Wolf that the DNR said was mostly responsible for the stocking efforts in many of the state's lakes.
The chances of someone coming in contact with a fish like this in Little Wolf is far less than other lakes, but they are there and have been documented.
I have to get out there again to just bring back fond memories. It is really where I started musky fishing. My wife lost an upper 40's fish out there and subsequently had to clean her pants about 10 years ago.
Its a good place to go to stay out of the wind and just enjoy yourself because there will be action. |
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| The fish pictured at LeRoy's Minnows, no doubt a giant, came out of another area lake, and that is fact.
Little Wolf is fun. Very fun, no doubt about it. You absolutely have a chance at a good solid fish in Little Wolf Lake. But when people talking muskies start throwing around the numbers 54 inch plus, that in my humble opinion is a fish of a another class in Minnesota and should not be taken lightly.
Captain, I will check with the Bemidji fisheries guys. If you have evidence of a super fish out of there (wether it was netted or caught), other than word of mouth, please post it. but until I find something absolutely conclusive, I'll firmly believe there has never or will never be a 54 inch plus muskie in Little Wolf Lake. |
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| Drew M - 6/9/2011 4:06 PM
The fish pictured at LeRoy's Minnows, no doubt a giant, came out of another area lake, and that is fact.
Little Wolf is fun. Very fun, no doubt about it. You absolutely have a chance at a good solid fish in Little Wolf Lake. But when people talking muskies start throwing around the numbers 54 inch plus, that in my humble opinion is a fish of a another class in Minnesota and should not be taken lightly.
Captain, I will check with the Bemidji fisheries guys. If you have evidence of a super fish out of there (wether it was netted or caught), other than word of mouth, please post it. but until I find something absolutely conclusive, I'll firmly believe there has never or will never be a 54 inch plus muskie in Little Wolf Lake.
While I can respect your opinion what makes it fact that fish wasn't caught there? Please tell more. |
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Posts: 123
Location: Bemidji, MN | There was a 53"er caught on a lake just west of Little Wolf 3 years ago and no one targets muskies on this particular lake. I watched the guy catch it, show pics to me, and cpr'ed it...I found the fish on my cabin shore two days later and measured 53". So my point is, there is a giant swimming but not caught yet...and I would think a guy with the right mind would not reveal it if he/she had caught one over 53". JMO |
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| it always cracks me up when guys who have never personally caught or been in the boat with multiple 54+ inch muskies start saying they have seen multiple 54"+ inch muskies. there is something called Buck Fever and we are all guilty of it at one time or another. Those 54 inchers Herb B says he saw very well could have been 52. Until you have seen and then caught said 54+ inch muskies you really are not a very good authority on telling everyone how big they are imho.
sort of like how everyone that seems to fish Eagle Lake see's 57 inchers but seemingly NOBODY ever catches them. If you see them they can be caught.
I'd agree that 55 inchers in Little Wolf from what I know of it and those I know that have fished it a lot is a big stretch.
Good numbers of 40s but good luck getting a 50" out there. |
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| Herb_b sees mid fifty inch fish everywhere. Tonka, Little Wolf heck I am sure he's seen one in Rebecca. |
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Posts: 437
| Buck Fever? - 6/10/2011 7:14 AM
it always cracks me up when guys who have never personally caught or been in the boat with multiple 54+ inch muskies start saying they have seen multiple 54"+ inch muskies. there is something called Buck Fever and we are all guilty of it at one time or another. Those 54 inchers Herb B says he saw very well could have been 52. Until you have seen and then caught said 54+ inch muskies you really are not a very good authority on telling everyone how big they are imho.
sort of like how everyone that seems to fish Eagle Lake see's 57 inchers but seemingly NOBODY ever catches them. If you see them they can be caught.
I'd agree that 55 inchers in Little Wolf from what I know of it and those I know that have fished it a lot is a big stretch.
Good numbers of 40s but good luck getting a 50" out there.
I think what some here are getting hung up on are numbers of big fish. Do I think there are high numbers of fish over 50" in Little Wolf? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Do I think you have as good of a chance to catch a fish over 50" there as other lakes? Definitely not, there are probably 20 lakes in MN that would have a better chance of me catching a 50" fish on than Little Wolf, but based on information I have been shared from others, and I trust them, there are, or have been fish in the mid 50's out there.
I would never call Little Wolf a trophy fishery, but for action and decent sized fish you cannot find many that are better. |
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Posts: 540
| I have seen muskies of this caliber mid 50's in lakes under 500 acres so why not little wolf, we know the genetics are there! so if there is not would it be because of forage or too high of population density? |
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Location: Apple Valley | I have been going to little wolf every year since 98. Tom and Sandy are awesome. They will take care of you and are fun to drink with :). My biggest muskie from there is 51". My uncle got a 52" there also. Ive seen some bigger also. So, there are some big fish in that little pond. Walleye fishing is great on this lake! Nice size crappies also and nobody fishes for them.
Brian |
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Little Wolf Lake Minnesota