Sturgeon Lake Chain, N of Hibbing, Chisholm

[Burkie]

My wife and I have a chance to babysit a cabin on Big Sturgeon Lake north of Chisholm, MN in early July. Does anyone have some knowledge of this lake they would be willing to pass on? I have heard it can produce some hawg walleyes. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Berkie,

The Sturgeon chain has had a history of producing a lot of nice fish. The lake's, I'll refer to are Big Sturgeon and Side Lake, as they are the best of the bunch. The walleyes in them are not easy but they can be had. The best time of the year to fish these lakes is during the summer peak period. On this chain summer peak ussually occurs between the 20th and about the 28th of June. It can be delayed and depending on the year it can extend into the early days of July. The lake's have extensive cabbage weed beds. These are the areas that hold most of the walleyes. I have had tremendous success backtrolling live bait rigs along the weed beds. Try to key on pockets or inside corners and long points extending from sand flats. Boat control and being able to get along with your sonar are key. You don't have to get fancy with your rigs as a plain #6 Daichi hook in red or chartruse work best simply tipped with a crawler or leech. It's always a good idea to check the secondary drop offs just below the weedlines. A couple of places to start with are in front of the beach and boat landing on Big Sturgeon and in front of the campground on Side Lake. The water is clear on Big Sturgeon and Side Lake and for that reason fishing is usually best with a good wind, preferably out of the west. If it's blowing out of the east you might as well go for a cold one at Riverside and hope the wind changes. Good Luck.

Catch A Big One!
Tom

[Burkie]

Burkie, the best advice I can give you is to follow a guy in a big Tuffy tiller walleye boat. He knows all the good spots!!

Take care, T