My Waters

Lake Mille Lacs:

My primary destination for muskies in the Brainerd area is Lake Mille Lacs. I fish here because of it’s potential for huge fish. I have not only seen tremendous fish in this lake; I have helped people like you to catch them. Most of us who fish this lake agree that it probably has the state record swimming around in it, and that it’s just a matter of time until it is caught. Personally, I’d just as soon the person that catches it is in my boat! In some recent tournaments, one in five muskies caught there was over 50 inches! Talk about big fish potential. Mille Lacs is really an interesting lake to fish, full of sand flats, weeds and rock piles, all of which are home to huge muskies. I can’t think of a day when I go out there and don’t learn something new about muskie behavior, or about some new piece of structure, or that “spot on the spot,” and how the fish are relating to it. And then there’s the other big fish we catch incidentally while musky fishing. Huge pike, small mouth bass, and walleyes that the hard-core walleye guys would die for. If you want big fish that make your knees knock, your hands shake, and your voice quiver, Mille Lacs has got ’em.

Sometimes the weather is just too treacherous on Mille Lacs to fish it efficiently or safely, and it’s these times that I head for smaller water in the area. There are a number of smaller musky lakes near Brainerd that I enjoy fishing on, and what I love about these lakes is their potential for action, and for catching numbers of fish. The ones I typically go to are Lakes Alexander, Shamineau, Cedar, and some of the lakes near Longville. Want action? Just ask to book a trip on one of these lakes, and I will do my best to set you up for one of the prime periods when we enjoy great success on these waters.

Lake Vermilion:

This lake is probably my favorite along with Mille Lacs. It has huge fish. 50 inch muskies are very common in this lake. Again, a lake with record potential, but with a completely different setting. You’ll love the northern feel of this lake, the Canadian Shield, the rocks, and all the beautiful islands and wildlife.

I am amazed by the sheer numbers of giant fish that I see on this lake….often multiple 50 inch fish in the same spot, and it’s so cool when everything comes together and the fish turn on! This is a great lake, not only for size, but for numbers. Granted, sometimes no matter how hard you try you can’t seem to get anything going, but it’s the awesome memories of the catches on this lake that keep me coming back every year.

Cass, Bemidji, and Plantagenet:

Three more lakes north of Brainerd that have big fish potential. All are big water, with great forage base, and are lakes that kick out big fat muskies well up into the 50’s each and every year.

Sometimes I like to hit these lakes for a “change of scenery”, and sometimes I head up there because of a hot bite. I like to be flexible and go where the fish are active. Got a vacation planned for one of these Northern Minnesota lakes? Give me a call, and I’ll do my best to meet you there.