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Posts: 91
Location: Metro , Mille Lacs, and G. Rapids | Does anybody here fish North Star Lake or Spider Lake just south of Marcell Minnesota? |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | I fish Northstar a time or two each summer |
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Posts: 91
Location: Metro , Mille Lacs, and G. Rapids | Do you catch muskies out there if so what area/areas of the lake? |
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Posts: 69
| They are both 1000 acres give or take and receive a ton of pressure figure it out |
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Posts: 897
| I grew up fishing Spider, quit fishing it about 5 years ago. That's shortly after someone posted about it on another site and it started getting hit hard. Went from an empty access to overflowing with guys in their rangers (no offense, I want one). There's a "fishable" population in there but they have been hit hard. Don't expect numbers or 50"ers. The fish in there are a mix of shoepac and sconni strain, very few grow longer than 46".
Edited by whynot 4/4/2013 1:43 PM
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | Ya fishing pressure on these smaller northern lakes has been exponential over the past 5-8 years. Not just people traveling to the area but more locals are picking up the sport as well which is good but gone are the days of empty landings. I fish these lakes still because they're close, tradition, and I just love the atmosphere of them. If I want giants I'm not far from Vermilion, Leech, Mille Lacs and Cass.
Great lakes but were blown out of proportion on the net a few years back and it was noticeable. Great family vacation but wouldn't make them my Muskie destination. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | We see some fish and catch a few here and there. Not had major problems with pressure the last couple years and we are weekend warriors. Some very nice cabbage. |
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Posts: 18
Location: Forest Lake, MN | My dad had a cabin near northstar since 1964, wouldn't call it a musky destination, ok general area though. |
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Posts: 91
Location: Metro , Mille Lacs, and G. Rapids | Thanks. Great answer. Really helps the beginners like me. |
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Posts: 69
| No problem any time there is already 272 views of this thread and you are talking about likes that receive a lot of pressure and rely entirely on natural reproduction. If you have the gear to take care of one you happen to catch most local muskie fishermen will help. asking specific locations on small lakes on the internet not so much. |
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | great answer |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | I agree with most of everything said. I fish both those lakes from time to time. Not a gold mine if that's what you are looking for. Very pretty area. I have a friend with a cabin up there, so it's cheaper. You'll catch some fish here and there, but I've never seen the giants. Also, Spider only has shoepackers, so they are pretty dinky. Plus it's a LONG drive down a dirt road with 3 resorts on it. walleye/crappie guys everywhere. There's also Deer lake. much bigger fish, but of course more difficult to catch fish. deeper, clearer, and imo low population.
We always ended up at Zorbas when fishing stunk  plenty of pretty girls there |
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Posts: 833
| I'm hoping to put some time on these classics in Itasca County this year. The drive on 38 alone is worth the trip. I fish Tonka normally so pressure smessure, whatever is there will most likely be less than what I'm used to and if it isnt' big deal. Just keep casting and enjoy the challenge!
For the guy asking for spots, if you use the MN DNR Lakefinder it will allow you to print some admittedly old maps of the lakes you are asking about. That alone will give you ideas on where to fish. I'm planning a to fish this area and those maps alone show at least a dozen spots on Northstar that are worth chucking baits depending on time of the year. Even if a guy gives you a spot, it won't matter. You still need to get timing, depth, and presentation right. Only way to do it right is to be on the water using your head trying to solve the puzzle.
Any of you guys know anything about the state of the Tulibbe and Lake Whitefish populations on Deer? The lake finder report cites anecdotal evidence of a large population, so just looking for more up to date info on them. Feel free to PM if you do not want to broadcast it. |
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Posts: 112
| I agree with the above statements. Northstar is natural reproduction only, thus a lower population density (1 per 4 acres). At around a 1000 acres, we are chasing a relatively small population. This combined with a dramatic increase in pressure, some harvesting of fish and several resorts on the lake has led to a significant decline in the quality of fishing the last 2-3 years. Not really trying to discourage anyone and not to say you can't catch them, but even with a place there, I have been going to Bemidji, Detroit Lakes and Alexandria areas when I want to seriously target muskies and have done much better there.
I thought Spider has been stocked with the Leech Lake strain more recently. Deer has some sizable fish, but with the very clear water can be tough. Orange lake is carry in and has Shoepacks, only, but for a small lake on the right day you can catch some fish, although low 40's tops. Have high hopes for Pokegema. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | DNR has transfered some fish from Moose to Spider that have shoepack strain present (mix breeds). I think they were done with that last year and won't be doing any more. |
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Posts: 2
| First off, North star doesn't receive a lot of pressure by any means. I just started fishing it mid July this year. Boat 18 so far all over 30" 14 of them over 42". It is a lake well worth fishing it see half a dozen fish everyday I have gone out. The lake is extremely underrated for its Muskies. |
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Posts: 2325
Location: Chisholm, MN | Cwill108 - 8/23/2013 7:13 PM
First off, North star doesn't receive a lot of pressure by any means. I just started fishing it mid July this year. Boat 18 so far all over 30" 14 of them over 42". It is a lake well worth fishing it see half a dozen fish everyday I have gone out. The lake is extremely underrated for its Muskies.
Great way to make more pressure. Thanks! |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Cwill108 - 8/23/2013 7:13 PM
First off, North star doesn't receive a lot of pressure by any means. I just started fishing it mid July this year. Boat 18 so far all over 30" 14 of them over 42". It is a lake well worth fishing it see half a dozen fish everyday I have gone out. The lake is extremely underrated for its Muskies.
sweet...thanks for the heads up! |
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Northern Minnesota Lakes