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Posts: 126
| After 3 years of musky fishing I am getting the itch to plan a trip to some prime musky waters. I live in SW Pa and am looking for suggestions on places to go. The first places I thought of were LOTW or Mille Lacs which are 1000-1200 mile drive. I would prefer the 1000 mile or less but open for any suggestions.
I have a 16ft boat with a 60/40 jet outboard. As far as fishing I like to mostly cast and am happy catching anything over 40 so would prefer catching numbers of 40+ as opposed to swinging for the fence the entire time. Also wouldn't mind fishing an area that has multiple lakes or rivers to try for a few days each. Would possibly want a guide for a day or two to learn how to fish there.
I'm really open for any suggestions and just looking for feedback from those who have the experience.
???
Body of water?
Best time of year to go?
Resort or Camp to stay at?
Take my own boat or a more fuel effecient vehicle and rent a boat there?
Other things I am overlooking that will make or break a trip???
Thanks in advance and looking forward to some responses.
Mike
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Posts: 149
| Northern Wisconsin would be the logical choice if you're looking for numbers of 40" fish with a chance at some larger ones and multiple waters.
Vilas County, WI alone has 189 lakes with fishable musky populations ranging from under 100 acres in size to almost 4,000 acres in size. Just south of Vilas County is Oneida County, WI which contains 126 musky waters again from under 100 acres to over 5,000 acres in size. Just west of Vilas County is Iron County, WI which contains 68 musky waters again ranging in size from under 100 acres to the 15,000 acre Turtle Flambeau Flowage.
Right there in a 3 county area probably within a 30 or 45 min. drive in any direction you have well over 300 musky lakes that combine for over 150,000 acres of water to choose from. Virtually all waters in that area would be casting only, though there are a few waters in Oneida Co which allow trolling.
Also Pittsburgh to Eagle River, WI (Vilas County) is about an 825 mile trip and you would go up through Michigan and over the Macinac Bridge to get there avoiding Chicago traffic. It would be a very scenic and enjoyable drive. Mapquest Pittsburgh, PA to Eagle River, WI to see the route.
Hunderds if not thousands of resorts and lodging choices to choose from in that 3 County area with any type of plan or accomodation you could possibly imagine and dozens of musky guides to choose from. Your 16 foot boat would be fine on any water in that area should you choose to bring it. If you want to fish from a nicer carpeted bass type boat here are several places that rent that type in that area and most all resorts have aluminum rowboats and smaller HP outboards that either come with the cabin rental or can be rented very cheaply. Those might not be the most comfortable to stand and musky fish out of.
http://www.vilas.org/
http://www.oneidacountywi.com/
http://ironcountywi.com/
Edited by esoxcpr 2/15/2009 2:31 PM
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Posts: 126
| Thanks esox and to the couple pms too. I have a starting point now. Thanks again. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i live about a mile from rollie and helen's muskyshop in the heart of oneida and vilas county wisconsin musky waters. over the years i've fished at home a lot, always get over to fish minnesota to fish vermillion, mille lacs and other areas and then for 13 years went to lake of the woods. the last 4 years though i started to go to Andy Meyers Lodge (AML) on Eagle Lake and have found it to be the best of all bar-none for reasons across the board including 1. ease of getting there, 2. quality of water, 3. quality of scenery and most important 4. results.
but, what i like the most is that the camp, guides, other fishermen and the leader of the band Herbie are there to serve one purpose which is to make sure that everyone in camp is informed and prepared to be successful. it's a team sport at AML and anyone who puts in the effort and wants to know how to do well will be provided everything they need to do so. our results over the years have been fantastic and i've become a much better fisherman by going there. my partner and i have seen and better yet boated some fantastic fish and each year we've hit or exceeded the 50 mark at least once during our trip ... there are no guarantees of-course ... but you will see and get a shot if you listen and get out there and do the work. the rest is up to you and the fish!
check out video and shoot me a pm or phone call 715.493.7848 if you'd like to know more about my experience there. i'm sure others who have participated in the AML experiences will tell you the same as i am now.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1380 |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Why not try the outing on Vermilion in Aug. .... .....$350. for the week on one of the Best waters in America with some great people. And a real good time.
Rich W. from Pa. went last yr. and had a blast, just ask him.
Later, Jerome |
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| Why not try the outing on Vermilion in Aug. .... .....$350. for the week on one of the Best waters in America with some great people. And a real good time.
Rich W. from Pa. went last yr. and had a blast, just ask him.
Rich is driving out again this year...and bringing his dad along this time.
here's the link with the info about the outing:
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47... |
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| vermillion is a great lake and the outing sounds like a good idea.
I am from Maryland drive 26 hours to Eagle and Andy Meyers Lodge every year, my buddy goes twice and makes the drive alone the second time. It is phenominal and Herbie and the folks there will help you learn the lake by providing information on where the fish are going right now and what lures are hot etc. It is on the other end pricewise from the Vermillion trip mentioned before but I can't get my buddy to go anywhere else now.
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| Mille Lacs can be VERY cruel. It's either wind and waves, or calm and Bugs. If you want a chance at catching a big fish and don't mind being miserable in doing so, this is your lake. It is not a high numbers lake right now and the fishing was really inconsistent and overall slow last year. LOTW is hard to beat for what you are looking for.
Edited by Baby Mallard 2/19/2009 3:33 PM
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Posts: 89
| Check out the Bay of Green Bay, big fish and lots of them! |
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| For only your 3rd year into musky fishing I would recommend LOTW or Vermillion over Mille Lacs and Eagle.
yes if you go to Eagle and stay at Herbies you will be treated like a king, they pass out info and where fish are going like candy but Eagle is still tough. If you are prepared to possibly go a week and not boating a single fish then Eagle or ML is fine...but only 3 yrs into it one really tough week on Eagle can humble even the best in the sport...many many fishermen have gone to Eagle and come back without catching a fish ....LOTW is going to put you on a lake that you can get into numbers with still the shot at the 50+ inch fish.
Vermillion is another good option and the outing would be another good option.
my 2 cents |
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Posts: 2068
| With your boat I would look to fish lakes in the Bemidji, Cass Lakes, and Leech area of MN (lots of great small lakes near Leech) |
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Posts: 9
| As a jonboat/jet drive owner I would say give Wi a try if you want to run your jet drive.At one time or another I've fished the Wi River from the Mississippi to Lac Vieux Desert for Pikies,Smallys,Wallys,and Muskys and who knows how many rivers,lakes,and flowages in between.With that number of options you can have lots of water to yourself.Plenty of mom and pop type motels to stay at or even remote camp sights if your into that.I've BS'd with some good ol' boys from Missouri at the gas stations that haul their jet drive jons up to Ontario every spring so its a matter of how far you want to drive I guess.Fish em all and report back.Have fun! |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Your boat size and power would not be a good fit for the LOTWs or Mille Lacs. You'd be better off in some of the northern Wisconsin lakes. Lots of choices up there. Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 73
Location: sw pa | where is a good place to fish in sept. with the same setup? |
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Posts: 126
| Just wanted to say thanks to all for the suggestions. As of now I'm tinking Northern Wi or if going on a longer trip LOTW or Eagle. Thanks again and will take any more suggestions. I'm looking forward to it no matter where the trip goes. |
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Posts: 198
| Don't overlook the St Laurence or Otto Rivers to the north. Probably a shorter drive too. |
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | I'm also in SW PA. I've been to most of them on the list. I'd recommend Northern Wisconsin, but don't forget the nippissing area, french river, kawarthas, and lot's of others if you head straight north. NW Ontario is awesome, Eagle, LOTW, Goon, but it's a tough drive. About 22 hours each way. If you want to catch a lot of fish, with some length but not heavy fish, the kawarthas are tough to beat, 10 fish days are common and it's under 10 hours from pittsburgh. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | IAJustin - 2/19/2009 3:51 PM
With your boat I would look to fish lakes in the Bemidji, Cass Lakes, and Leech area of MN (lots of great small lakes near Leech)
Ditto... many different types of lakes to experience. |
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Posts: 724
Location: Southern W.Va. | Head to Eagle River, find Tourist/ Chamber of Comerce building . Get map of county and a small book "Lakes of Vilas County". The book names the lakes , tells the size , if public access is on lake and species of fish in each lake. Most vauable bits of info that I've found are located in these. Map lets you find your way to the lake and the book tells you what's in the lake and the class of the water.
Then , just fish. LOTS of 200-400- acre lakes thats just beautiful to see. Eagles, deer, loons, beaver, and oh yea, muskies !!!. E-mail me or send PM and I'll do all I can to help.
Mauser |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Given your location, I think you ought to try that French River, Ottawa River, St Lawrence area. Wish I was close enough to get there and learn those systems. Lotsa big fish come outta there.
djw |
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Posts: 434
Location: searchin for 50 | Pm sent |
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Posts: 636
Location: Bloomington, MN | Steve Scepaniak of Predator Guide Service was the first to start guiding muskies on Mille Lacs, and last year he started to fish the Mississippi River around Brainerd. You already have the right rig for that type of water, and this is where the Lindner's have got some of their biggest muskies. |
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