The Bemidji area of Minnesota offers some excellent muskie fishing on a variety of lakes. You can find plenty of lakes that give you a great chance to catch a muskie and some lakes that have potential for huge muskie in the 50 inch range. Lakes that hold muskie range in size from 300 acres to almost 26,000 acres in the Bemidji area. Some of the lakes that anglers target muskie near town are Lake Bemidji, the Cass Lake Chain, Lake Plantagenet and Big Lake. If you want to make a little bit of a drive, Leech Lake is only about 30 miles away and it is currently a very good muskie lake. On many of these lakes that were mentioned, 50 inch muskie are possible.
Take a look below to learn more about the lakes in the area that have muskie in them.
Big Lake
Big Lake totals 3,592 acres with a maximum depth of 35 feet. It is located 12 miles east of Bemidji in Beltrami County. Big Lake lies within the Chippewa National Forest. There is a USFS public water access consisting of a single lane concrete boat ramp with parking for about 12 trucks/trailers located on the east shore of the lake off of CSAH 33 (Mission Road). This lake has a variety of fish to target. Fish include muskie, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch. This lake is known as a quality muskie fishery with the opportunity to catch a 50 inch fish a real possibility on this lake.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Cass Lake
Cass Lake is a glacially-formed lake that is located within the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in north central Minnesota. The lake is a part of the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes which consists of 9 different lakes, two river flowages and approximately 26,000 acres of water. Cass Lake is a popular vacation destination for swimming, boating and fishing. The chain of lakes are known for its excellent walleye and muskie fishing. Trophy walleye and muskie can be caught regularly if you know where to locate them. Northern pike, bass, perch and other panfish are also available.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Kitchi Lake
Kitchi Lake is one of several connected lakes joined via the Mississippi and Turtle rivers that comprise the Cass Lake chain of lakes. Kitchi Lake has a limited amount of residential development along its lakeshore, although there are several resorts available here. This lake totals 1,785 acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. There is no public boat ramp on Kitchi Lake; however, boaters can access the lake by following the Turtle River upstream from the north side of Cass Lake. Fish include walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Andrusia
Lake Andrusia is one of several connected lakes joined via the Mississippi and Turtle Rivers that comprise the Cass Lake chain of lakes. Andrusia supports a moderate amount of residential development along its lakeshore, including several resorts. It is a 1,590 acre lake with a 60 foot maximum depth. There is a USFS public access at the north end of the lake, just off of County Road 12 (Power Dam Road). Lake Andrusia is a good fishing lake for walleye and northern pike. Other fish include muskie, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Beltrami
Lake Beltrami totals 722 acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet. It is located 10 miles north of Bemidji in Beltrami County. Lake Beltrami is one of 11 connected lakes known as the Turtle River Chain. There is a single lane, concrete boat ramp located on the south shore of the lake. This lake has a very diverse fishery. Anglers can target walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Bemidji
Lake Bemidji is a 6,420 acre lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet located adjacent to the city of Bemidji in southern Beltrami County. There are a total of six public boat landings located primarily on the north and west shores of the lake. Lake Bemidji is part of a connected system of lakes which includes Lake Irving upstream and Stump Lake downstream on the Mississippi River. Both of these lakes are readily accessible from Lake Bemidji and provide additional varied angling opportunities.
This lake is known as a quality muskie fishery with fish up to and above 50 inches available here. The walleye fishing is also very good on Lake Bemidji. Other fish include northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Lake Plantagenet
Lake Plantagenet is a 2,529 acre lake with a maximum depth of 65 feet located in northern Hubbard County about 5 miles south of Bemidji, MN. There are two public boat landings on the lake and a moderate amount of lakeshore development exists on the lake. Lake Plantagenet is a popular fishing lake. Walleye numbers are good in this lake. Muskie are also available and there are some very big fish up to and above 50 inches here. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch round out the fishery on Lake Plantagenet.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
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.
Little Wolf Lake
Little Wolf Lake totals 490 acres with a maximum depth of 24 feet. The access does not have an improved ramp, and launching is in the creek channel which may cause problems for large boats. The access is closed during night time hours and parking space is limited. Although the outlet creek connects to Big Wolf Lake, the waterway is not navigable by motor boat. This lake is managed for walleye, muskie, bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. Other fish include northern pike, rock bass and perch.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Wolf Lake
Wolf Lake, known locally as Big Wolf, is one of several connected lakes joined via the Mississippi River and Turtle River that comprise the Cass Lake chain of lakes. Wolf Lake totals 1,094 acres with a 57 foot maximum depth. This lake has a moderate amount of residential development along its lakeshore, including several resorts. There is a DNR owned public access on the west side of the lake, just off of County Road 25. Wolf Lake has good numbers of walleye with northern pike, largemouth bass, muskie, bluegill, crappie, rock bass and perch rounding out this fishery.
MN DNR Lake Information Report
Using Leaders for Muskie
Muskie have some serious teeth. Use quality steel leaders to avoid bite-offs. If you are fishing clear water, you may need to go with a fluorocarbon leader to get bit. Most anglers will not go any lighter than 100 lb. fluorocarbon for muskie and don’t be shocked if you lose a big fish due to a bite-off. Some anglers go as heavy as 140 to 150 pound fluorocarbon. Ideally, you want to be as stealthy as you can so you can get more bites, but if you go too light with the fluorocarbon, you risk losing fish and possibly killing some big fish due to the lures getting stuck in their mouths.
Best Baits for Muskie
There are many types of baits to target muskie. Anglers don’t have as many options when using live baits since many of the fish that muskie eat can not be used as bait. Suckers and big chubs are usually the best options for most anglers that want to use live bait. For artificial lures, there are a variety of big baits to throw. Most anglers fish with bucktail spinners, some type of swimbait, topwater lure or jerkbait when chasing muskie.
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Best Rigs for Muskie
There aren’t too many different rigs for muskie fishing because you only have so many options for throwing some of the gigantic baits needed. Also, most anglers use lures for muskie or big sucker minnows, so you really don’t need too many rigs to target muskie. However, there are still several rigs you should know about, especially if you are going to be using live bait.
The Carolina rig, drop shot rig and quick strike rig are some of the best rigs for muskie.
Best Techniques for Muskie
Anglers use a variety of techniques for muskie. Casting is most popular, but jigging and trolling are also very effective techniques. Learn more about some of the best techniques for muskie page.
Learn More About Muskie
Our muskie fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
