Musky fishing in Minnesota is one of the best experiences you’ll ever have. I fish Mille Lacs Lake and Lake Alexander (down by Pillager) and both of these lakes have produced excellent musky results. Of course, everybody is waiting for the big one! I like to remind my anglers that big musky are very old—it takes a 30 pound musky anywhere from 14 to 17 years to reach that size. Because of their rarity, in recent years my musky fishing anglers have turned to 100% catch and release. It preserves the fish and still allows you to have the fun.  

When you catch that big one, we take photos and measurements of the fish, carefully handling it so that it is not injured. Then you can have a life-like fiberglass reproduction made. 

Musky fishing is both challenging and thrilling. Musky are some of the most elusive fish in the state. They prefer to hide in shallow waters. Sometimes we fish water as shallow as three feet deep! This is an amazing experience as you look down in the clear water and see musky swimming or resting below you. I normally use traditional lures, Bucktails, surface plugs and crank baits when we go musky fishing in Minnesota.  

Musky as a species are native to only a few lakes in Minnesota—Lake of the Woods, Cass Lakes, Leech Lake and lakes of the Boy River system. They are also native to a few lakes near Grand Rapids and Park Rapids; and the Rainy, Big Fork, Little Fork, St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. Everywhere else they’ve been introduced and stocked. Musky can either have dark spots or bars on a light background, although some have minimal or no markings. (their cousins the Northern Pike has light markings on a dark background). Both are often found in the same area when musky fishing.