There are likely more big muskies available to anglers today than at any time in history. Here are some of the best waters to fish for a shot at giants throughout the Upper Midwest.

Introduction

Muskies, also known as muskellunge, are a popular game fish in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. These large predatory fish are known for their impressive size and fighting ability, making them a sought-after target for anglers. In this article, we will explore some of the top musky fisheries in the Upper Midwest, where anglers can find these giants and have the opportunity to catch some truly impressive fish.

Minnesota: Land of Giants

Minnesota is home to a variety of large natural lakes that are known for producing trophy-sized muskies. From the lakes in the Walker and Bemidji areas to Lake Winnibigoshish and Vermillion, anglers have the chance to catch muskies exceeding 30 pounds, with some even topping 40 pounds. The standard technique in central Minnesota is to cast large bucktails, jerkbaits, crankbaits, or topwater baits to weeds or rock structures. Mill Lacs Lake: The Giant’s Home

One particular lake in Minnesota stands out when it comes to giant muskies – Mill Lacs Lake. In recent years, this lake has produced more 50-pound class muskies than any other lake in America. Anglers at Mill Lacs Lake alternate between casting large lures to weed beds and rock structures, and trolling oversized crankbaits in nearby open water. Late fall is the best time to score big at this lake.

Wisconsin: Green Bay’s Bounty

Moving east into Wisconsin, the northern counties are known as historical muskie country, with good fish available in many larger lakes. However, it is the waters of Green Bay along the Door County Peninsula that have produced the most large fish for anglers adept at fishing big water. Whether casting or trolling, Green Bay is a prime location to catch both numbers and ultimate size when it comes to muskies.

Michigan: Trolling for Giants

In Michigan, the hardcore trolling fisheries of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River are the go-to spots for muskie anglers. It is common to catch multiple fish exceeding 30 pounds in a single day in these waters. In the lake, anglers troll moderate-sized crankbaits or inline spinnerbaits on short lines behind the boat. In the river, they either cast or vertically jig soft plastics in the swift current flowing between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

Underrated River Fisheries

While the larger lakes and bays get most of the attention, the smaller rivers in the Upper Midwest are often overlooked as muskie fisheries. However, these rivers can be incredibly productive for muskie fishing. Muskies thrive in current, and anglers fishing in small boats have the opportunity to catch fish pushing and exceeding 30 pounds. Casting large lures to eddies and flooded shorelines is a successful technique in these river systems.