Episode 44

Lake of the Woods muskies

Show Date: October 31st & October 1st, 2020

Location: Lake of the Woods, Northwest Angle

Accommodations: Young’s Bay Resort [218-223-8031 | youngsbayresort.com] Jerry's Restaurant & Lounge [218-223-8381]

It’s that time of year to head north to Lake of the Woods for our annual muskie outing with Pete Maina and Christian Laettner.  Due to the pandemic, we are unable to travel to Canada, or fish in the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods.  Huge thanks to Young’s Bay Resort, and Jerry's Restaurant & Lounge for putting us up, and preparing our meals for us, it really made our trip special. 

The Northwest angle is home to the northernmost point in the contiguous 48 states, and land area of the Angle is separated from the rest of Minnesota by Lake of the Woods, but shares a land border with Canada. The only way to access this part of Minnesota without crossing into Canada, is by water or air.  We’ve brought our boat along to make the crossing, the shortest path we found was 27 miles across water.  Once we’re there, the northwest angle, and Young’s bay Resort is our home for our trip.  

Fishing only on the Minnesota side, we’ve got some learning to do, since we haven't fishing on this part of the lake much in the past. Pete Maina says this side of the lake is shallower overall compared to the Canadian side, so it will be a different pattern than previous years.  He says concentrating on rock structure, primarily using suckers, will hopefully be the best bet to catch fish.  Lake of the Woods is also known for very large northern pike, so there’s always a chance of a ‘bonus’ pike too.

Episode 45

Lake of the Woods Muskies, Continued

Show Date: November 7th & 8th, 2020

Location: Lake of the Woods, Northwest Angle

Accommodations: Young’s Bay Resort [218-223-8031 | youngsbayresort.com] Jerry's Restaurant & Lounge [218-223-8381]

We caught too many fish for one show…

It’s that time of year to head north to Lake of the Woods for our annual muskie outing with Pete Maina and Christian Laettner.  Due to the pandemic, we are unable to travel to Canada, or fish in the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods.  Huge thanks to Young’s Bay Resort, and Jerry's Restaurant & Lounge for putting us up, and preparing our meals for us, it really made our trip special. 

The Northwest angle is home to the northernmost point in the contiguous 48 states, and land area of the Angle is separated from the rest of Minnesota by Lake of the Woods, but shares a land border with Canada. The only way to access this part of Minnesota without crossing into Canada, is by water or air.  We’ve brought our boat along to make the crossing, the shortest path we found was 27 miles across water.  Once we’re there, the northwest angle, and Young’s bay Resort is our home for our trip.  

Fishing only on the Minnesota side, we’ve got some learning to do, since we haven't fished on this part of the lake much in the past. Pete Maina says this side of the lake is shallower overall compared to the Canadian side, so it will be a different pattern than previous years.  He says concentrating on rock structure, primarily using suckers, will hopefully be the best bet to catch fish.  Lake of the Woods is also known for very large northern pike, so there’s always a chance of a ‘bonus’ pike too.

Episode 46

The Annual Sponsor Outing

Show Date: November 14th & 15th, 2020

Location: Woman Lake; Longville, MN

Accommodations: All Seasons Resort, Longville, MN [218-363-2030 | allseasonsresort.com]

This week we’re excited to get a few of our sponsors out fishing for our annual “sponsor outing.”  We usually head to Canada for this trip, but with the border closed this year, we decided to head to Minnesota instead.  The fantastic new owners of All Seasons Resort in Longville, welcomed us like we were family. 

Rusty Lillyquist, a longtime friend, and resident of Longville, knows this area very well.  He suggested the Woman Lake Chain of lakes as the perfect spot to host our guest, and get in a few days of great fishing.  This trip was planned pretty far in advance, so things like a cold-front rolling in a few days  before we arrived were completely out of our control.  

Rusty knows what to do in just about any situation, and he proved that during our stay.  He said steep drop-offs, preferably with wind blowing in on it, is where walleyes will school up this time of year.

Episode 47

Fat Vilas County Muskies

Show Date: November 21st & 22nd, 2020

Location: St. Germain, Wisconsin

Guide: Pro Guide Rob Manthei [715-477-2042 | robmanthei.com]

Accommodations: St. Germain Lodge [ StGermainLodge.com ]

Fall is the best time to give muskie anglers a chance at a personal best fish, and muskie is the only fish Rob Manthei targets this time of year. We’re casting deep diving crankbaits, as well as putting out a sucker with a quick-strike rig attached.  We’ve got Pete Maina along for the ride too, he’s got a few Livingston Lures that he’d like to see get some action.  

The later into fall that we get, the bigger these fish get, so as long as you can get out on the water, you’ve got a chance for a fish of a lifetime.