"It's without a doubt the best destination in Wisconsin for big fish, and arguably the best place in the States to take a 52- to 56-incher with tremendous weight for its length," says muskie legend Pete Maina, of Hayward, Wisconsin. You can often catch 8, 9, or 10 muskies a day in places like Rice Lake, Buckhorn, and Pigeon. "In 2015 we boated 860 fish with 63 over 50 inches. "Trolling is a staple on St. Clair, but Berman prefers casting large rubber baits like Bulldawgs and Medussas. In my book, these are still the places to catch the longest fish you'll see anywhere. Maina likes the Chippewa Flowage, too, along with Whitefish, Round, and Lac Court Oreilles, to name a few standouts.Outside the Badger State, Maina points to the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers as top waterways to score a giant. For instance, if we have had a big spring run-off, or a lot of rain throughout the season, it would cause higher water levels. "Clients like the Medussa because it's a little lighter. Another bait I’ve been having a lot of success with this summer is a paddle tail swimbait from Chaos Tackle called the Poseidon. That fish, witnessed by an Ontario game warden, beat the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame's ice-fishing release record by seven inches. The state of Wisconsin, with its tranquil landscapes and more than 15,000 lakes, is an angler's haven. Lixada tends to be the best selling brand of these lures, however. Their dive and rise action are like no other, and have produced many, many Muskies through the years. For comparison: Minnesota has 116 waters, including eight rivers, with noteworthy populations of native or stocked muskies, according to a 2011 report; Wisconsin has 667 lakes, plus 48 rivers … I think Green Bay and several Minnesota lakes have drawn some anglers who used to travel here.
There's truth to this statement when it comes to fish at the top...Winter is upon us, and muskie anglers should welcome it for what is has to offer.If your passion runs deep for giant pike, these top destinations offer the opportunity to make...Do pike under ice cover choose the same types of habitats they use in summer?All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. "Berman fishes the rivers when high winds or heavy seas keep him off the lake. "The caveat is, the fish have gotten smart. Water levels that increased by six inches or higher drive Muskie to shallow areas. And don't overlook backwater bays early in the season. We have lakes where you can shoot for the moon for a 50-incher, and some with lots of 42- to 48-inch fish. It is 4 miles across, and is actually the widest part of the Mississippi River. Here are ten of the top rivers in Wisconsin. The lake is a popular destination in both the summer and the winter. Some use length as well as... Picking the right lures and when and how to use them is the key. High water due to rain can cause lower water temperatures two degrees or more, which drives the fish shallow because the shallow water tends to be warmer!I often get asked the question “what is the magic lure,” to which I answer “keep it simple” remember there is no “magic” lure.
And depending on the season you can fish almost any way you like — trolling open water with Wiley Baits or your favorite crank, casting shallow vegetation, working rivers and current areas, sunken wrecks, and more.