CHASING TIGER MUSKIES IN THE METRO

The muskie anglers I fish with spend a lot of time on the water, pursuing big muskies on renowned lakes like Mille Lacs, Leech, Vermilion, and Minnetonka. We’re fortunate to also fish in Canada on lakes such as Lac Suel, Kabikwabik, and Lake of the Woods, where the pressure is lower and we can better understand the patterns. While these trips often yield giants, we also enjoy targeting tiger muskies on smaller, less-known lakes in the Minneapolis metro area. Minnesota and Wisconsin have stocked several smaller lakes with different muskie strains, providing diverse fishing opportunities.

When breaking down the Minneapolis metro lakes, you'll see that the Minnesota DNR has done an excellent job stocking numerous lakes and continues to support the sport’s growth. A valuable tip for landing more tiger muskies, or even your first, is to study the catch reports published annually on the DNR website. This article focuses on finding great lakes for tiger muskie fishing.

Here are some lakes I frequent multiple times a year, listed in no particular order:

- Lake Elmo: Known for producing the biggest tiger muskie I’ve encountered. It’s on my list of lakes to try but I haven’t fished it yet.
- Orchard Lake in Lakeville: A smaller lake that's perfect for focusing on prime areas.
- Nokomis, Bde Maka Ska, Harriet, and Cedar: These lakes are always fun. We’ve spotted some big fish at Bde Maka Ska, though it’s trolling motor only. A friend who has fished here for years has noted a decline in recent times.
- Bryant Lake: This lake has been hit or miss lately. It's close to home, but I haven’t fished it as much recently.
- White Bear Lake: A fun lake with good structure for holding muskies.
- Medicine Lake: I haven’t fished this lake in a while but plan to return soon.
- Minnetonka: Although not a lesser-known lake, we occasionally catch tiger muskies here. We don’t typically go to Minnetonka specifically for tigers, but we see a few each year.

Exploring these lakes and trying new things can be quite enjoyable. We often chat with fellow anglers at boat launches and hear various opinions on what’s working. Some are tight-lipped, while others are more open. I’m in the camp of sharing what works and what doesn’t, as it helps everyone improve.

Muskie fishing in the metro area can be challenging due to increasing popularity and population pressure. However, don’t be discouraged. With persistence and a focus on the right patterns, you can still catch plenty of great fish. We often use lures that fit the pattern but are different from what others are using. Muskie fishing requires confidence in your chosen lure and technique. It's about enjoying the hunt and having fun. We’ve encountered some real monsters, including one we nicknamed "Megledonski" (Esoz Megledonski). This enormous fish swam right behind a Holy Diver and, as it neared the boat, it vanished into the darkness, giving us just a glimpse of its size and fueling our passion for muskie fishing.

Thank you for reading this article. If you have article ideas or suggestions, please reach out to me at george@haegerdesign.com.