There are plenty of awesome vacation destinations that support good muskie fisheries. The majority of them will be up north, but there are some good destinations in the south as well. If you’re looking for trophy muskie, your best bet is to fish the bigger waters that offer a lot more potential for growing a big fish over 50 inches.
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| Canada | Canada |
| Dinorwic Lake |
LOTW Nestor Falls
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| Eagle Lake |
LOTW Northwest Angle
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LOTW Sioux Narrows
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| LOTW Kenora | |
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LOTW Morson
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| Arkansas | New York |
| Beaver Lake |
Chautauqua Lake
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| Finger Lakes | |
| Iowa | |
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North Carolina
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| Asheville, NC | |
| Kentucky | |
| Wisconsin | |
| Minnesota |
Boulder Junction, WI
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| Cable, WI | |
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Chippewa Falls, WI
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| Bemidji, MN |
Eagle River, WI
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| Brainerd, MN | Hayward, WI |
| Cass Lake |
Lac du Flambeau, WI
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Land O’ Lakes, WI
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Manitowish Waters, WI
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| Mercer, WI | |
| Minocqua, WI | |
| Leech Lake |
Presque Isle, WI
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| Longville, MN |
Rhinelander, WI
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LOTW Northwest Angle
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St. Germain, WI
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Three Lakes, WI
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Tomahawk, WI
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| Michigan | |
| Burt Lake | |
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Iron Mountain, MI
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| Lake St. Clair | |
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Manistee County, MI
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Marquette County, MI
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| Mullet Lake | |
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Keweenaw Peninsula
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Watersmeet, MI
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Canada
Dinorwic Lake & Wabigoon Lake
This lake provides good fishing for a variety of species. Anglers usually come here to target walleye and perch to eat and they will target muskie and smallmouth bass for action. Crappie are here too and don’t forget about the muskie. There are some trophy muskie here too if that’s something you want to pursue. The lake isn’t real deep either, so you can find active fish much shallower on this lake than other deep water lakes in the summer. This lake has a little bit of everything, so you’re going to get some action and if you want to target a specific fish, you can totally do that as well.
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake is located in northwestern Ontario about 120 miles north of International Falls, Minnesota. There is plenty of water to fish with over 68,000 acres of water and over 400 miles of shoreline. Eagle Lake is a great lake for catching walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie. There are plenty of fishing resorts and lodges located on the lake.
French River, Ontario
The French River system is home to some incredible fishing. Many anglers come here to target the walleye, bass or huge muskie. You can find pretty much everything in here. To go along with walleye and muskie, you will also find northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch, sturgeon, catfish and sunfish too. Many anglers come here just to fish the French River, but for the anglers who are coming to fish Lake Nipissing, it’s always nice to have the river as an option when you get windy days.
Georgian Bay Ontario
The Georgian Bay area is huge and it is home to some awesome recreational opportunities. Georgian Bay is a bay of Lake Huron and if you take a look at the map, you will see just how big this area is and how diverse the fishery can be depending on where you choose to fish.
Kawartha Lakes Region
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Lac Seul (east side)
Lac Seul is the second largest body of water located entirely within the province of Ontario. It is 150 miles long with many bays, islands and narrow channels. The lake has many rock shoals that provides excellent habitat for smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie and perch. This lake has resorts spread out on the east end and the west end. This is a big lake and it’s not uncommon to make long runs out here. However, this lake is loaded with fish so if you put in the time to learn the areas around where you’re staying, you should be able to catch some fish close to home too. This is one of those lakes that delivers on 100 fish days and even better if you hit it just right.
Lake Nipissing
Lake Nipissing is an outstanding fishing lake. It is a huge lake with tons of fishing opportunities. There is enough water that holds fish in the bays, so you don’t have to go out and fish the main lake on a trip here if you don’t want to do that. You will find plenty of great spots with rocks, vegetation, some islands, points and nice shorelines that will hold a variety of fish.
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie, perch and even largemouth bass here. It’s a remarkable fishery here with so many options.
LOTW Kenora
Kenora, Ontario is the most popular part of Lake of the Woods. This is where you are going to find the most services, the most people and basically everything you will need for an ideal fishing vacation. The downside is that you will see more people fishing here than on other parts of Lake of the Woods, but with a 15 to 20 minute boat ride, you can easily find some water all to yourself. This is an amazing part of Lake of the Woods that gives you the feel of being around everything while also still feeling like you are getting away from it all. It’s an awesome destination.
This area is home to some incredible fishing on Lake of the Woods. The smallmouth bass fishery is outstanding for numbers and some big fish are here too. You will find lots of 2 to 3 pound smallies here with some smaller and some bigger. Northern pike are here in good numbers and some big fish live here too. Walleye fishing can be very good if you know how to target them. Big fish in the upper 20 inch range are possible with some fish exceeding 30 inches. The muskie fishing is very good as well. Good numbers of fish are possible and big fish up to and above 50 inches are possible. Largemouth bass, perch and crappie area also available here.
LOTW Morson
The Morson area of Lake of the Woods is a nice vacation destination for those of you that are looking to get away from it all and enjoy the outdoors. The scenery is beautiful here and you won’t find the crowds here, that’s for sure. This area is unique because it gives you access to some big open water and you can also fish some of the protected waters around all the islands that are great for fishing when the winds pick up.
The Morson area of Lake of the Woods is home to some excellent fishing. Anglers typically come here to target walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and muskie. Good numbers of fish are here and big fish are available for all 4 species of these fish. Largemouth bass, perch and crappie area also available here.
LOTW Nestor Falls
Nestor Falls is located south of Sioux Narrows and Kenora. For some visitors, this is the preferred destination on Lake of the Woods because the drive isn’t too bad when you’re coming from the U.S. It’s only about an hour and fifteen minute drive from International Falls, Minnesota and the fishing can be very good here. You will find plenty of services here to plan an awesome trip, but don’t expect to have all the conveniences that you will find farther north in Kenora.
The Nestor Falls area is home to some excellent fishing on Lake of the Woods. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and muskie will get the most attention from most anglers here and the fishing can be incredible here. Good numbers of fish are available and big fish are possible for all 4 species of fish. Largemouth bass, perch and crappie area also available here.
LOTW Northwest Angle
The Northwest Angle is a very unique destination. It is located in the United States, but you have to drive through Canada to get here. The border crossing is different here, so we recommend a quick online search to see the latest information for crossing the border here. Most people come here to fish and the fishing is very good in the Northwest Angle.
This area is home to some awesome fishing. You can find good numbers and trophy smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and muskie in the Northwest Angle on Lake of the Woods. Some anglers report the better fishing will be on the Canadian side of the lake, but there is plenty of good fishing available on the Minnesota side as well. Largemouth bass, perch and crappie area also available here.
LOTW Sioux Narrows
Sioux Narrows is an awesome vacation destination. Located in between Nestor Falls and Kenora, you will definitely find some areas where you won’t see another boater. However, you will still see some boats and people in this area. It’s not nearly as popular as Kenora, but it gets fished quite a bit. There is so much water to here that you can easily find a place all to yourself whether you are boating or fishing.
The Sioux Narrows area of Lake of the Woods is a very good fishing area. Anglers do well with smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie and walleye. You may have to take a little bit of a road ride to find the better walleye fishing, but it is worth it as the walleye fishing can be very good here. Big fish and good numbers of fish are possible here. Largemouth bass, lake trout, perch and crappie area also available here.
Minaki, Ontario
Minaki is home to the Winnipeg River system. The fishing can be very good here for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, muskie and more. This area has plenty of resorts, but it is much less crowded than nearby Kenora. It’s not too far either in case you needed to make a trip back into the popular town of Kenora. Most anglers come here to fish the Winnipeg River system, however, there are plenty of other lakes here to fish as well.
The Winnipeg River system is the main body of water to fish in this area and it has good populations of walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and muskie. You can catch trophy fish of all species too, which is awesome.
You can also catch lake trout in some of the area lakes that offer deeper, cooler waters. Perch and crappie are here too, so if you want to target panfish, you can. Some of these lakes have a lot of perch also, so you will most likely catch more perch than crappie depending where and how you are fishing.
Perrault Falls, Ontario
The Perrault Falls area has so many lakes to fish that you’ll wish you had a full month off from work to fish it all. The major lakes that get most of the attention here are Perrault Lake, Wabaskang Lake and Cedar Lake. If you have access to a smaller boat though, there are so many other lakes that you can fish in this area. Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, perch and muskie are all here.
This area is such a good multi-species fishing area. Whether you fish on one of the main lakes that we listed above or you decide to take a smaller boat on some of the smaller lakes in this area, you can easily find a lake to catch all of the species of fish listed below. Pike and smallmouth bass might be the best in this area, but the walleye fishing is good, muskie can be very good and panfish such as perch and crappie are here too. It’s just a great area for so many species of fish. Anglers also target lake trout and whitefish in this area, but they are definitely secondary compared to the species listed above.
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is a city that lies on the northeastern end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the Canadian border and it is separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River. The population was 14,144 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in the Upper Peninsula. This area has a diverse fishery with salmon, trout, walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass and other species available too.
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
The Sioux Lookout area is one of the better drive-to fishing destinations in all of Ontario. This area has Lac Seul, which is known for its outstanding walleye fishing. Lac Seul is the big draw and on some of the other parts of Lac Seul, walleye and pike will be plentiful, but muskie and smallmouth bass not so much. In the Sioux Lookout area, you can target muskie and smallmouth bass to go along with excellent walleye and pike fishing. The variety of species to go along with good numbers and trophy fish make this area an awesome fishing destination. Some of the other popular lakes to fish are Abram Lake, Minnitaki Lake, Botsford Lake, Big Vermillion Lake & Little Vermilion Lake. In this other lakes, there are a lot of options for targeting different species of fish. Muskie, pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and lake trout are all available. It just depends on the lake that you’re fishing.
Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands are a group of over 1,700 islands that straddle the United States – Canada border in the St. Lawrence River. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario and the islands in the United States are located in the state of New York. This area is a popular vacation destination for fishing, boating and camping.
Anglers have many different species of fish to target such as northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, walleye and others. This area is truly an amazing fishery. If you want to catch a lot of fish, you can do that. If you want to catch trophy fish, you can do that too.
Vermilion Bay, Ontario
Vermilion Bay is a small town located on Eagle Lake. Most people come here to fish Eagle Lake, however, some people use this as their base as they can head several different directions to experience some awesome fishing up here. If you are looking for better numbers of fish, most people would go farther north for a day trip. Drive 45 minutes to an hour and a half north and you have a lot of options in the Ear Falls and Perrault Falls area.
There are other lakes in this area to fish as well. Some people stay in the small campground on Crystal Lake. You can catch decent pike in this small lake or head to some of the other area lakes. Blue Lake is nearby and has a resort called Blue Lake Resort on it as well. Clark’s Camp is located on the Indian Lakes Chain, which has 10 lakes with good fishing here. There are so many options in this area and we didn’t even talk about Eagle Lake that much. You could spend a month on Eagle Lake and still not fish it all.
Arkansas
Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake is located high in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, which is the birthplace of the White River. The lake features around 487 miles of natural shoreline offering visitors plenty of recreational opportunities. Beaver Lake is a popular vacation destination for boating, fishing, golfing, hiking and just relaxing around the beautiful lake. Beaver Lake has more than 28,000 surface acres of water.
Beaver Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lakes. Striped bass are king here, but there are a variety of other bass, walleye, many different types of panfish and some awesome trout fishing close by.
Iowa Great Lakes
The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of natural glacial lakes in Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa in the United States. The three principal lakes of the group are Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. These lakes are extremely popular in this state. Whether you are looking to do some boating, fishing or just relax on the lake, this is a great destination.
The chain of lakes here gives anglers a lot of options. Anglers target game fish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskie. It’s a very good fishery with trophy fish possible for a number of species of fish.
Kentucky
Cave Run Lake
Cave Run Lake is a beautiful lake that covers 8,270 acres. It is located in the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky just south of Morehead and about 60 miles east of Lexington.
Cave Run Lake is known for its muskie fishing, but anglers also can catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, white bass and spotted bass. Whether you come to fish fo
Michigan
Indian River Area
Indian River is an unincorporated community in Cheboygan County. It’s a small town, but there are a couple of lakes here that make this area so special. Indian River is named after the river which flows through it and it is nestled between Burt Lake and Mullett Lake. The lakes are a very popular tourist destination. If you like to get outdoors, there’s plenty for you to do here.
Iron Mountain, MI
Iron Mountain is located in the state’s Upper Peninsula. It was named for the valuable iron ore found in the vicinity. It’s a small city just over the Wisconsin border and this area is popular among people that enjoy the outdoors. Most of the lakes in the area are smaller lakes, so you can usually get out on the water even if the winds pick up. The Menominee River is famous for its excellent smallmouth bass fishing and the river runs through the town.
Iron River, MI
Iron River, Michigan is located just northeast of Eagle River, Wisconsin. The Iron River area doesn’t attract nearly as many people as in Eagle River, Wisconsin, but there are plenty of places to stay in Iron River and there are plenty of lakes that offer good fishing for walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and a variety of panfish.
Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair is the smallest lake in the Great Lakes system. It is not considered as one of the “Great Lakes,” however, it is part of the Lake Erie basin. Lake St. Clair is shallow, with an average depth of around 10 feet and the maximum depth of 21 feet.
Lake St. Clair offers some excellent fishing. You can catch trophy smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, perch and muskie. This lake is unique in that so many different species are targeted by anglers. There are many anglers that target smallmouth and largemouth bass, while others target the great-tasting walleye, and some anglers go crazy over the muskie in these waters. Local anglers believe that St. Clair is the best smallmouth bass lake in the state.
Manistee County, MI
Manistee County is located on Lake Michigan, a part of northwestern Michigan. Historic Manistee, the Victorian port city, is the county seat, and it features a riverwalk running through downtown to Lake Michigan. The coastline villages include Onekama, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Copemish, Kaleva, Brethren, and Wellston. This area offers so much for people that enjoy the being around the water. Fishing, boating, beaches and plenty of accommodations, restaurants and shops make this a popular tourist destination in Michigan.
Salmon and trout are the primary species of fish in this area for most anglers. With Lake Michigan here and some very good river fishing available, it’s easy to forget about the other game fish here. Anglers can also catch walleye, big pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, muskie and a variety of panfish.
Marquette County, MI
Marquette County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It’s a good-sized county with tons of recreational opportunities available. Many people enjoy the miles of trails for walking and biking. You have Lake Superior here, many inland lakes and some gorgeous waterfalls here too. It’s a beautiful area and the fishing is very good too.
Marquette County offers some very good fishing opportunities. The better fishing spots may be spread out throughout the county, however, having the option to go fish on Lake Superior one day, Lake Michigamme for a couple days and then you can even bounce around on some of the smaller inland lakes here too. Fish for salmon, trout, pike, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish.
Saulte Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is a city that lies on the northeastern end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the Canadian border and it is separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River. The population was 14,144 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in the Upper Peninsula. This area has a diverse fishery with salmon, trout, walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass and other species available too.
Watersmeet, MI
Land O’ Lakes & Watersmeet are located about 8.5 miles away from each other. You will find dozens of lakes in this part of Northern Wisconsin and Lower Michigan. There are a variety of accommodations nestled amidst the natural beauty of the lakes and forests here. There are so many lakes to fish to go along with some rivers and streams as well. In this area, the most popular lakes to fish are part of the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes, which are 15 interconnected lakes with over 270 miles of scenic shoreline.
Walleye and muskie are targeted by most anglers in this area, but you can also catch northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and panfish.
Minnesota
Alexandria Lakes, MN
The Alexandria area has a nice blend of lakes, wooded hills and open prairie. Located in west central Minnesota, this area is very scenic with many recreational opportunities for the outdoors enthusiasts. Boating and fishing is very popular in the area.
Walleye and northern pike are abundant in many of the lakes. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, rock bass and other panfish are also caught in most of the lakes. There are numerous lakes here to keep you busy as well as local fishing guides and bait shops to help you have a memorable trip.
Bemidji, MN
The Bemidji area lakes provide many recreational opportunities. With over 400 lakes in a 25 mile radius, there are plenty of options for boaters and fishermen. There are plenty of resorts and lodges as well as other accommodation for you to choose from.
This area is home to some very good fishing for muskie, walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass. For many anglers, walleye and muskie would be primary and the pike and bass fishing would be secondary, however, many anglers enjoy fishing for northern pike and largemouth bass. Bass are under fished by most anglers here and there are a lot of them in the area lakes.
Smallmouth bass aren’t here in big numbers, however, you will find plenty of panfish in the many area lakes. Perch, crappie and bluegill are all available throughout the area lakes.
Brainerd, MN
The Brainerd Lakes Area is located in northern Minnesota. With 465 lakes in the area, this area is loaded with recreational opportunities. There is plenty to do here for every age group. Have fun boating, fishing, hiking, golfing, shopping or dining. Numerous resorts and hotels are located in Brainerd giving you many options for either a family trip or a weekend fishing trip with friends.
The fishing is good on most of the lakes in the area. Most anglers target walleye, northern pike and bass. There are good numbers of fish as well as some trophies in the Brainerd Lakes Area lakes.
Detroit Lakes, MN
25 miles of Detroit Lakes, there is plenty of outdoor recreation for friends and family. The accommodations in Detroit Lakes give you plenty of options with many campgrounds, hotels and motels, resorts and more.
Make sure you bring your fishing rods. With all of the lakes, there are plenty of fishing opportunities for you. Walleye, northern pike and bass are the dominant species in most area lakes. Muskie, trout, perch, crappie and other panfish inhabit these waters as well.
Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids is a small town in Minnesota that is known for its outdoor recreation. The area lakes are popular among fishermen and boaters. Many anglers and families plan trips to the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area every year.
There are so many lakes to fish and a variety of different fish to catch. Most fishermen target walleye and northern pike, but you can also catch muskie, smallmouth bass, perch, rock bass and even largemouth bass. The types of fish depend on the lake you are fishing. There are fishing guides in the area to help you learn the area waters and have a more successful fishing trip.
Hackensack, MN
Hackensack, Minnesota is located just south of Leech Lake. Whether you choose to fish Leech Lake or fish one of the many productive lakes in the Hackensack area, you will have plenty of options with all of the great fishing up here. There are plenty of nice lakes to get out and do some boating without the crowds that you will find in many of the popular tourist destinations in Minnesota. While this area may be away from the crowds, there are several fishing resorts in this area to accommodate you.
Some anglers stay on some of the lakes in the Hackensack area even though they may spend a day or 2 fishing on Leech Lake. The smaller lakes give anglers the ability to fish on windy days, while Leech Lake may be too rough for some boats when the wind picks up. Anglers target muskie, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and panfish in the area lakes.
Lake Vermilion
Are you looking for a big lake with a variety of fish? Lake Vermilion is an excellent lake that has 40,000 acres of water, 365 islands and 1200 miles of shoreline. If that wasn’t enough, it stretches 40 miles across the heart of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region. This lake is a great place for an outdoor getaway. There are plenty of resorts along the lake to take care of your accommodations.
Lake Vermilion is a good lake even though some anglers report the fishing can be tough here. It’s a big lake and there are plenty of fish here. Once you figure out the patterns, you should be able to catch smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and crappie if you choose to target them. Most anglers come here to fish for walleye and muskie, but the pike fishing and smallmouth bass can be very good as well. This is definitely a trophy fishing lake too as there are many big fish caught every here of smallmouth bass, pike, walleye and muskie.
Largemouth bass and crappie are secondary here. Good bass anglers can definitely have some success here, however, you have to put some work in and know where to target these fish. Perch fishing can be good when they are in the shallows in the spring, but they are much harder to find and catch once they go deeper.
Leech Lake
Leech Lake is located mainly within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and completely within the Chippewa National Forest in north central Minnesota. The Lake is one of the most popular tourism destinations in all of Minnesota. There are numerous recreational opportunities here such as fishing, boating, hunting, golfing, hiking, biking and much more. You will find a variety of accommodations here to fit your needs.
The primary species of fish that most anglers come to Leech Lake are walleye, northern pike and muskie. All 3 species are here in good enough numbers for anglers to target them and catch them. There are some trophy-sized fish here too for all 3 species of fish.
This lake has such a diverse fishery. If you’re just looking for action, you can fish with live bait and catch a little bit of everything. For those of you looking to target largemouth bass, there is a solid fishery here and most anglers don’t even think about fishing for bass here. Find the weeds, fish shallow and don’t be shocked when a pike hits your bass lures.
LOTW Northwest Angle
The Northwest Angle is a very unique destination. It is located in the United States, but you have to drive through Canada to get here. The border crossing is different here, so we recommend a quick online search to see the latest information for crossing the border here. Most people come here to fish and the fishing is very good in the Northwest Angle.
This area is home to some awesome fishing. You can find good numbers and trophy smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and muskie in the Northwest Angle on Lake of the Woods. Some anglers report the better fishing will be on the Canadian side of the lake, but there is plenty of good fishing available on the Minnesota side as well. Largemouth bass, perch and crappie area also available here.
Longville, MN
Longville, Minnesota is located just south of Leech Lake. The Longville area has several good fishing lakes to fish, but this area is often overlooked because of the outstanding fishing on nearby Leech Lake.
This area has a lot of lakes to fish with northern pike, walleye and largemouth bass being the primary species of fish targeted here. There are many other types of fish here and plenty of smaller lakes that are always fishable even on windy days.
This area has some good fishing opportunities for a variety of fish. Walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass get the most attention here among most anglers. You also have the option of heading over to nearby Leech Lake to target a wide variety of fish. For the muskie anglers, Leech Lake may be appealing to you.
Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake is Minnesota’s second-largest lake and it covers 132,000 surface acres. Mille Lacs is a great lake for outdoor recreation, but it has been known for its outstanding walleye fishery over the years. There was a walleye collapse and they are hoping to be coming out of that now, however, there are plenty of restrictions on the lake as far as keeping walleye throughout the seasons. This has been a huge debate on the lake. Fortunately, the smallmouth bass fishing is off the charts good right now which is helping make up for the walleye issues.
Mille Lacs Lake has been an awesome walleye lake historically. There have been some issues in recent years and there have been new regulations put in place to try to restore the walleye fishery to its better years. The smallmouth bass fishery has taken off recently with anglers reporting lots of bass being caught with some absolute huge bass here too. Smallmouth bass in the 4 to 6 pound range are possible on any given day and on some days, you may catch several fish in this range with lots of 2 to 3 pound fish too. Pike fishing is good for anglers who go out and target them and some big fish are here too.
This lake has a very diverse fishery. Some anglers do target muskie and largemouth bass, however, most anglers don’t come here for these fish. The panfish are a nice addition for anglers looking to catch some perch, crappie and bluegill.
Otter Tail Country, MN
Towns in Otter Tail Country – Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Perham
Otter Tail Country is home to over 1,000 lakes and streams. This is a great area for enjoying the outdoors whether it be fishing, boating, hiking or just getting outside in this beautiful part of Minnesota.
The lakes in this region offer excellent fishing for a variety of fish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie and panfish. You have a lot of options and there are so many lakes here that you can usually find a place to get away from the crowds and catch some fish.
Park Rapids, MN
Park Rapids, Minnesota is just under 30 miles from Walker, Minnesota and the south part of Leech Lake. This area is a popular tourist destination with tons of lakes, numerous resorts and excellent fishing opportunities.
Anglers target muskie, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and panfish in the area lakes. There are a lot of lakes in this area to fish and so many places to get away from the crowds and enjoying the fishing.
New York
Chautauqua Lake
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Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a group of linear-shaped lakes in the west-central part of Upstate New York. With 11 lakes covering 14 different counties, this region is a major tourist destination. People come here for many different reasons. Fishing and boating are very popular on the lakes, but people also come to the area for the events and festivals, to visit the wineries and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Fishermen have many options with all of the water in this region. Anglers can fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout and more. There are several lakes to fish, some bigger than others and some more popular than others.
North Carolina
Asheville, NC
Asheville, North Carolina is a very popular summer vacation destination. The city is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River. There are an abundance of things to do from river rafting adventures, hiking on mountain trails, taking in the beautiful scenery and experiencing some excellent fishing.
Asheville is an awesome fishing destination. There is plenty of water to fish and there are numerous fishing guides that can help you find the local hot spots. Fly fishing for trout is very good here in the nearby streams.
Wisconsin
Boulder Junction, WI
Boulder Junction is known for its muskie fishing with its 50 plus “Class A” muskie lakes, but it is just as popular for its outdoor appeal. Thousands of people love spending their vacations in Boulder Junction because of the quiet waterways, crystal clear lakes, numerous trails and other outdoor recreation that the Northwoods of Wisconsin offers.
Walleye & muskie are abundant in this area and they are the species of fish that get targeted the most in this area. Anglers have so many lakes to fish and many of the area lakes will give anglers a good chance to catch walleye and muskie. Smallmouth bass are here also in good numbers and some very big fish are caught here every year.
Cable, WI
Cable, Wisconsin is a small town just north of Hayward, Wisconsin. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will find plenty to do here. The trail system attracts many people here that enjoy hiking, biking, running, snowmobiling, atving and cross country skiing. The lakes are popular during the open water seasons.
The fishing is very good here with Lake Owen and Namakagon Lake drawing the most interest from anglers. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, pike and muskie are all possible here in the area lakes.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin is located in the northwest part of Wisconsin about 90 miles east of St. Paul, Minnesota. It’s small town atmosphere, beautiful scenery and numerous lakes in Chippewa County make the Chippewa Falls area a great place for a vacation. Chippewa County has hundreds of lakes and numerous trout streams. The county has 21,037 acres of lakes and streams and over 310 miles of rivers and streams.
The fishing in the Chippewa Falls area is very good. Whether you are targeting a trophy muskie, bass, northern pike, trout or panfish, it’s all here in the Chippewa Falls area lakes and streams.
Eagle River, WI
Eagle River, Wisconsin is one of the top places to visit in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Eagle River is very scenic with lots of wildlife. Numerous fishing lakes combined with miles of trout streams keep visitors coming back every year. You also have plenty of accommodations, restaurants and shops to make it a very convenient vacation.
The Eagle River Chain of Lakes is known for its abundant walleye and muskie populations. The lakes that surround this town are known for their bass, walleye and muskie fishing with some pike available too. You can fish the chain and at times, fish with the crowds or you can get away from it all very easily by driving 15 minutes out of town to fish one of the several lakes in the area.
Hayward, WI
Hayward is located in northwestern Wisconsin. Its small hometown atmosphere and unique setting make it a great vacation destination for people that enjoy the outdoors. The recreational opportunities are endless with over 55,000 acres of lakes. Fishing, boating and just enjoying the outdoors is popular in this area.
Fishing is good for muskie, northern pike, walleye, bass, crappie, perch and other panfish. Hayward is home to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, where world record catches are registered. We have a large fishing section to help you learn more about the fishing here.
Iron River, WI
The Iron River area is a popular vacation destination. People come here to enjoy the beautiful lakes and streams that provide excellent fishing and other recreational activities. The 96 area lakes provide excellent fishing for northern pike, muskie, bass, walleye, and panfish. The top 12 lakes that anglers target are Deep Lake, Delta Lake, Eagle Lake, Half Moon, Iron Lake, Iron River Flowage, Lake Wanoka, Long Lake, Peterson Lake, Pike Chain of Lakes, Pine Lake, and Ruth Lake.
You can find excellent fishing in the other lakes and you might just stumble upon an area that nobody knows about. That is what’s great about the Iron River area. There are so many places to fish. With Lake Superior only 17 miles north of Iron River, you have the option of fishing the lake and its tributaries. The area rivers provide some excellent fishing during the spawning runs. Brule River offers an excellent steelhead run through the month of April and Flag River also heats up for steelhead around the second week of April.
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Lac du Flambeau is a small town located near Minocqua, which is one of the more popular vacation destinations in Wisconsin. You won’t find the crowds in Lac du Flambeau like you will in Minocqua, so you have less crowds on the lakes, but all the amenities a close car ride away. There are plenty of lakes here with so many outdoor recreational opportunities here.
The Lac du Flambeau chain of lakes gets most of the attention in this area. The fishing can be very good for a variety of different fish. Most anglers come here to fish for walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike and panfish. The largemouth bass fishing is pretty good too depending on the lake you are fishing.
Land O’ Lakes, WI
Land O’ Lakes & Watersmeet are located about 8.5 miles away from each other. You will find dozens of lakes in this part of Northern Wisconsin and Lower Michigan. There are a variety of accommodations nestled amidst the natural beauty of the lakes and forests here. There are so many lakes to fish to go along with some rivers and streams as well. In this area, the most popular lakes to fish are part of the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes, which are 15 interconnected lakes with over 270 miles of scenic shoreline.
Walleye and muskie are targeted by most anglers in this area, but you can also catch northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and panfish.
Manitowish Waters, WI
Manitowish Waters is located northwest of Minocqua and close to the border of Wisconsin and the upper peninsula in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Manitowish Waters is a lovely area with pristine lakes and plenty of scenery. The Manitowish Waters chain of lakes includes ten lakes with over 4,200 acres of connected waters to enjoy. Boating, fishing and swimming are very popular on the chain.
The chain provides some excellent fishing forwalleye, muskie and northern pike. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and other panfish are also caught in the chain.
Mercer, WI
Mercer is home to several smaller lakes and a huge lake called the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. In the smaller lakes in the area, anglers target bass, walleye, panfish, pike and even muskie in some of the lakes. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is what stands out in this area though. The Flowage consists of nine lakes, three rivers and several creeks. The flowage offers some beautiful surroundings and plenty of water for the outdoor enthusiasts. Boating and fishing are very popular on the flowage. Water skiing and jet skiing are permitted in some areas, but very limited, which makes it nice for the fisherman looking to find some peaceful surroundings.
The flowage gets the most attention here and it should. The fishing is very good for smallmouth bass, walleye and muskie. Some very big crappie are caught here too and you will definitely run into some northern pike here as well. Don’t expect to find too many big pike in these waters though.
Minocqua, WI
Minocqua is one of the most popular areas to visit in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This area has one of the largest concentration of freshwater lakes in the country. There are numerous types of lodging, plenty of restaurants and some excellent outdoor opportunities.
The fishing in Minocqua is known for its muskie fishing, although, it has some pretty good fishing for walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish also. Northern pike are also available in many of the lakes.
Presque Isle, WI
Presque Isle is a quiet town that has been nicknamed “The Last Wilderness.” Located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, there is plenty to do here for those of you that like being on the water. This area has many lakes, streams, pristine forests and plenty of wildlife to help you get away from the daily grind.
The fishing is excellent in Presque Isle. The lakes don’t get nearly as much fishing pressure up here as some of the other areas in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Muskie, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, perch and other panfish are available.
Rhinelander, WI
Rhinelander, Wisconsin is a great place to get away from it all. Located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, you will enjoy outdoor activities in the vast forests and numerous lakes. Rhinelander sits on Boom Lake, which is one of the 1,100 lakes in Oneida County.
The Wisconsin River and Pelican River surround Rhinelander which help to give this area a well-rounded fishery. Muskie and walleye are abundant in the area lakes. Most anglers in this area will target walleye or muskie. If you like fishing for Muskie, this area is home to the Hodag Musky Challenge and it is one of the most prestigious catch and release musky tournaments in the Midwest. Some very nice fish are caught here every year. You can also catch northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, perch and other panfish in the area lakes. Bass are here, but usually under fished by most anglers.
St. Germain, WI
St. Germain, Wisconsin is one of the more popular areas to visit in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. There is so much to do here for the outdoorsman with the area lakes and pristine wilderness.
The St. Germain area offers some excellent fishing. Most people spend their time on Big St. Germain Lake and Little St. Germain Lake. You can catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, crappie, bluegill and perch. The spring is best for fishing as you can target many species in shallower water. In the summer, the fishing is still good and the weather is warm enough for a variety of outdoor activities. This is the perfect time for a family vacation. If you have some time off in the fall, plan a muskie fishing trip. The fishing is excellent in the fall for walleye and muskie, but most anglers come up here in the fall to land a trophy muskie.
Three Lakes, WI
Three Lakes, Wisconsin is a small community located just south of Eagle River in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The town is nestled in the midst of the Nicolet National Forest which offers some excellent scenery. For the water enthusiasts, the Three Lakes Chain of Lakes consists of 28 lakes.
Fishing is very good on the chain for muskie and walleye. You can also catch smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, perch and other panfish.
Tomahawk, WI
The Tomahawk, Wisconsin area is home to a variety of waters that are popular for fishing and boating. It’s a small town with beautiful scenery and some awesome lakes.
Anglers can fish numerous lakes, flowages and rivers in this area. Anglers come here to catch walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, trout and panfish. There are plenty of places to get some action and some big fish waters are here too.
