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Fishing for Northern Pike, time of year and best locations?

Fishing for Northern Pike, time of year and best locations?

Old Sep 24th, 2011, 09:47 AM
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Fishing for Northern Pike, time of year and best locations?

Hello. My husband and I are thinking about coming to Minnesota next year to fish for Northern Pike. Any recommendations on the best time of year to come, and the best areas or lakes to find them. We would likely want to hire a guide, but we don't know where to start. Thanks!
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Old Sep 25th, 2011, 10:44 AM
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Lorenky, you don't mention where in Minnesota you will be staying. There are over 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. Is there any reason you are not targeting Muskies? If you narrow down the area where you want to stay you will get more help. southern Minnesota, metro area, central (Brainerd), Leech Lake, Red Lake...etc
www.exploreminnesota.com
www.dnr.state.mn.us
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Old Sep 25th, 2011, 01:30 PM
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Well, we really don't know, my husband just has whim to catch Northern Pike and said Minnesota is the place to do it. We'll go to whatever part of the state and whatever lakes are recommended as the best place to go. I asked him about Muskie and he said that's good too, we can go for both. I had a rough idea that perhaps we would fly into to Minneapolis, and spend part of the week driving around sightseeing and maybe 2 days guided fishing at a couple of different lakes, maybe one day pike, another day muskie? So we're really wide open to going anywhere, any season but winter.
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Old Sep 26th, 2011, 03:49 AM
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Lorenky, if I had only one chance to fisn in Minnesota I would want to fish in the boundry waters(BWCA) of Minnesota. There you will find the best fishing, and if you are a little outdoorsy there are paddle only lakes. Try this site www.latourells.com. It will require a 6 or 7 hour drive from MLPS to Ely but very worth the effort.

Another option is Red Lake. www.washkishminnowstation.com Don't be put off by their outdated web page. Jonny P. has been guiding for years and is a 3rd generation guide in the area.

The metro area has many lakes and Lake Independence and Lake Waconia have Tiger Muskies as well. I do not know of any area guides but if you are interested in staying in the metro area I can find more information for you if you would like more.
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Old Sep 26th, 2011, 05:35 AM
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Thanks, I'll definitely look into the Boundary Waters. Does that area include Basswood lake? How is Rainy Lake for Pike and Muskie,, that's near Voyageurs NP? In terms of best time of year, I'm reading April-May, then I'm reading September. Any thoughts on that? I think Hubby said he prefers shallow water for watching the Pike strike like you can on the fishing shows.
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Old Sep 26th, 2011, 08:25 AM
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Another option

Very scenic area about 3 hrs north of the Twin Cities is Brainerd Lakes. Here are some local fishing guides
http://craguns.com/fishing/fishing_guides.html
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Old Sep 26th, 2011, 08:50 AM
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DH and "the boys" like to fish Rainy Lake area near Voyageurs National Park (International Falls). There are lots of lodges with guides or you can rent a houseboat to live on and fish from.

http://www.rainylake.org/index.html
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Old Sep 26th, 2011, 09:51 AM
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Northern and Muskie fishing in the Brainerd Lakes area is simply off the chart super! Mid summer or fall are best times around here. The big muskies put on the feed bag for a long cold winter and are crazy this time of year. Head on up, we can help you with custom fishing rods, lodging, etc.

Kris Kristufek
LakeLady Custom Fishing Rods
www.lakeladyrods.com
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