Muskie tour

[Bob Thompson]

I will be retireing next year and planning a fishing tour of Wisconsin, Minnesota and southern Canada to fish exclusively for Muskies. Originally from Illinois I have been fishing for Muskies here in Utah for quite a few years with good success. What do all of you think are the must go to lakes or rivers I shouldn't miss on my trip. I am planning on 4 or 5 weeks and mostly campgrounds with my own fully rigged Tracker. I've been gathering broshures from most well known Muskie waters but here in Utah my home water is unknown but produces very well indeed. Thanks much ahead of time. Bob

[Jason Schillinger]

If you are coming to WI, try to make at least one trip to the Hayward area, and check out the Chip, if just for musky fishing history/nastalgia's sake. Check out the WI musky lake booklet, as it lists all(most) waters and their class by county. I personally like river fishing, but the open water bite on the clear systems of the northeast draw me in in June each year and there are plenty lakes to choose from.

[Rob Myers - St. Croix Rods]

After the Hayward area, you can head east to the Park Falls area and hit Butternut Lake. There is a campground on the lake and 1006 acres to fish. Also the Flambeau River is a good area to fish.
Rob

[ToddM]

I can recommend hayward. It's a great area. Spent some time in boulder junction this summer and it's nice too, plus it's close to rollie and helen's which is a must stop on your tour. I am sure that eagle lake and lake of the woods will be top suggestions for ontario.

[Waterwolf]

If you're coming to Minnesota, you MUST spend AT LEAST a few days on Vermillion. 40 miles long with 365 islands, and as beautiful as a Canadien Shield Lake. Also MUST hit LEECH and the LONGVILLE area, and Mille Lacs.
Have a good one!
The Wolf

[kmon]

If you're visiting south-eastern Ontario, the Rideau River is a wonderful day or week fishing. Really scenic, quite quiet during the week. Around Kemptville you'll find a variety of launches, from gravel lanes running out at the river, to nice parks with concrete ramps. The water on the Rideau is kid friendly, so some of the parks can get a bit noisy. Best time is late Sept. Early October.
The St. Lawrence around Johnstown, across from Ogdensburg, is supposed to be good if you're looking for a really big fish. I've never actually fished there but you hear tall tales! Launch in Cardinal (great tavern hidden in the one hotel) or Prescott. Have breakfast at the Bridgeview just west of the bridge going over to the States, they have a great view of your fishing area and some inspirational photos of really huge fish caught locally. Big dock out front.
And the Cornwall area has been getting a lot of talk. Kids going out with worms hooking into 30 lbers is said to be a common occurence. I'd take a grain of salt with that one. Ask at the local fishing stores for likely places to start.
Well that's my two cents. Enjoy.