Upper MidWest SpringTime help.......

Lies?? Well I never...... Maybe we could all get together and try to figure out Phils' new boat heehee. Might be interesting and not have to worry about those pesky ducks.


You guys are pitching in and getting me a new boat????? AWESOME!!!! Thanks!!!! and just when I was getting this one dialed in!!!!

Well.. the only lies are from 1 shot Pete!!!! :)
 
Hey Steve -


Guy who sits next to me is a big time Muskie fisherman. Here is what he had to say. As others have mentioned, Muskie fishing is not open in MN when you are passing through but may be open in northern Iowa. Co-workers name is John Newland if you want a name to use when calling this guy.


"Here is the link to Josh Borovsky’s website è http://www.promuskieguide.com/ Josh is a 2 time PMTT winner, and the best Musky Guide I know. When you are talking about April the season isn’t open in Minnesota, but Josh guides in Northern Iowa which opens earlier. Josh’s phone contact info is on the website."


Mark W


 
Can you not FISH, as in Catch and Release, for Musky's when the season is closed....I wouldn't kill one for any reason, (yes I know C&R isn't 100%), and just want to catch one.....never seen a fishery where you can't fish and not keep when the season was closed.....course never fished in the Midwest and that's a whole nother kind of Yankee that I know nothing about.....


Thanks to everyone who has responded.....I'm looking forward to seeing some ole friends, making some new acquaintances, seeing some stuff I've never seen before and just enjoying not having a daily schedule, (have I mentioned being retired?....no?....well I'm retired and every day is Saturday....except for Sunday.....which is either the day before or the day after Saturday)........


Steve
 
Here is what I know which isn't much. I am not a muskie fisherman.


There is a season for Walleye in MN. Outside the season, you are not allowed to catch and release walleye unless you are on certain bodies of water where catch and release is allowed. Panfish can be fished and caught year round. Muskies I don't know. Call the guide who I listed - he can answer these questions. Co-worker said there is no catch and release on Muskies outside the season in MN.


Congrats on the retirement. When was it official? 6/14/18 for me not that I'm counting.


Mark W
 
So perhaps others will know as I know absolutely nothing about muskie......but is muskie fishing so different from other types of fishing that if you're out fishing you won't catch a muskie unless you have a special kind of lure or something? So if you're out fishing and you accidentally catch a muskie outside of the season and the game warden sees you reeling it in and unhooking it you're getting a ticket regardless of what you were fishing for?
 
Muskie fishing use big lures, and I mean real big lures. I believe, but do not know, that a warden would be able to tell if you were targeting northerns or fishing muskies. Please do not take this as an absolute, there are people who know way more than I do when it comes to musky fishing. Biggest fish I have caught this year so far is 9". I think you would call this "bait" right Dani?


Mark W
 
AHHHHHHHHHHHH I gotcha....that makes sense....

hahahha yup 9" would be bait for a little fish if we were out fishing....
 
Dani,

Muskie have the nickname of the fish of 10,000 casts. Being at the top of the food chain their numbers are relatively low. Because they are some bigger, and toothier, than the rest of the gamefish in most lakes incidental catches that actually make it to the boat are rare. It is not like saltwater where you need to be ready for almost anything.

Tom
 
Steve,

Yes, you could certainly Muskie fish here in Iowa during your time frame. The "best" Iowa waters would still be closed but the entire rest of the state would be open for Muskie fishing. Clear Lake in north central Iowa is a good choice and only 1hour 15 minute drive from my home. If you are interested, I can host you on a boat and provide all the needed gear. I have more than enough lures that need washed. The fishing is guaranteed but the catching is a bonus. :>) Seriously, If you are at all interested, I don't need much excuse to go fishing.

If you want to research the location, Clear lake, Clear Lake Iowa. (Just west of I35 about 30 miles south of the MN/Iowa border.
 
Curious, you stated only a Berg Brothers puppy earlier?

I wouldn't expend any time trying for inshore salmon in Lake Michigan during your trip. Chinook stocks consist currently of Age I and Age IV fish (not many of these). Coho are no longer abundant along the stretch of Wisconsin coast east of the kennel you are driving to. There are, however, some monster size Seeforellen strain brown trout inshore feeding heavily during you time in the Wisconsin.
 
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You got time to stop for dinner? Rabbit stew! (private joke) HA! Got a guest room if ya wanna lay over for a night.
 
There was a used Fiberglass Hoefgen in that vicinity a while back. I could see if the gent still has it. You might as well garner some rooftop aerodynamics for the ride home
 
You said Central WI?
Musky season doesn't open in the northwoods until Memorial Day...that is, you can't technically fish for muskies, though I don't know what the heck you are supposed to do if you are casting for walleyes or smallmouth and whoops...
I know a good guide in Boulder Junction (way further north than you will be I'm guessing), owns a fly shop and is a friend of my Dad's. Flyfishing for muskies...and the time to go depends on if you want numbers or size. Spring is numbers, fall is size. April there is usually still snow and ice...
The trout season in the driftless area around Lacrosse (where I really stomped some ground as a young trout bum) won't open until May (think it's still that way), though I think some streams are open for winter fishing in an early, catch-and-release season. Cross over into NE Iowa, and there are some interesting little streams open year round...
If you will be anywhere around Wausau, you can get in touch with my Dad, Mike...he might be able to give you a tip or two on places to try or people to talk to. Email him at webetrout@aol.com
 
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