Photo by Pete Maina

It takes a different breed of angler to fish specifically for muskies. Even in the best waters, "toothers" are few and far between, and an angler could fish hard for days without even raising a fish.

But for some anglers, the challenge is what it's all about. Most people who land a trophy muskie will tell you they weren't actually fishing for muskies. Anglers are usually pulling a crawler harness for walleyes or casting a stick bait for pike when something really big and unexpected latches on to their lure. Landing a fish the size of a trophy muskie on regular fishing tackle takes a lot of luck, but that's exactly how most giant Esox are caught.

But you can increase your odds if you're a serious muskie hunter by targeting one of these hot bodies of water. Traditionally, they make up some of the best muskie waters in Michigan, and the fish will thoroughly test your limits.

LAC VIEUX DESERT
"Lac Vieux Desert provides some of the most consistent muskie fishing in our unit," said Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit fisheries biologist Bill Ziegler. "The lake has a pretty good population of naturally sustaining northern muskies and a population of northern pike, which occasionally cross-breed with the muskies to produce tiger/muskie hybrids."

Lac Vieux Desert, at 4,300 acres, is located on the Michigan/Wisconsin border, and anglers should consult their 2006 Michigan Fishing Guide booklet for specific rules regarding boundary waters. Lac Vieux Desert is a shallow body of water, with much of it less than 20 feet deep, thus muskies can be found cruising anywhere. A good starting point is near a cluster of islands that includes Duck, Near and Draper on the east side of the lake. Because it is so shallow, weeds are a problem during the summer. The best muskie fishing consequently is early in the season before the weeds reach the surface, and later in the fall. Serious muskie anglers pull big crankbaits and body baits, chuck in-line spinners or soak a good-sized sucker under a bobber.

For more information on lodging, resorts and tackle shops near Lac Vieux Desert, contact the Western Upper Peninsula Convention & Visitors Bureau at (906) 932-4850, or online at www.westernup.com.

PAINT RIVER POND
Paint River Pond along with the Brule River Impoundment forms the beginning of the Menominee River. According to fisheries biologist Bill Ziegler, the impoundments of the Menominee are ideal habitat for producing big muskies.

The river system is full of a variety of suckers, which is a muskie's favorite forage. The power companies own almost all of the lands along the pond, so it is largely undeveloped and available to public access. The near-pristine shorelines offer plenty of back bays and flooded timber that provide ideal muskie habitat. There are two public boat launches maintained by the power companies on the pond.

Northern-strain muskie populations are sustained in 774-acre Paint Pond by natural reproduction. Fish up to 50 inches are fairly common. Early in the season, muskies can be found cruising the shallows after spawning. Covering water and chucking big jerkbaits and bucktail spinners can bring vicious strikes. During the summer months, the muskies often suspend near the old river channel.