Where can I catch a muskie near Empire/Leelanau?

[durstaj]

Does the fish of ten thousand casts lurk in any rivers or lakes in the area? I would be fishing from a kayak, so that kind of limits me unfortunately. I'm also after trophy northerns which I think may be more realistic.

[Wardo]

Long Lake by TC has both monster muskie and pike. Most people that I know fish for them around the Mickey Lake entrance. Also, you could try Cedar Lake which is just west of West Bay up M-22. It has a lot of good sized pike and the occasional muskie. Both would be ok for a kayak on a relatively calm day.

[john warren]

lol ...picturing a muskie and a kayak,,,, better wear your water wings. thats gonna be a fun ride.

[fishenrg]

I guess for muskie that Long Lake would be your best bet. Its a big lake, but I often see people in kayaks and canoes. The advice of the channel that connects it to Mickey Lake is good, I've seen a few swimming through there. Mickey Lake itself may be easier to explore than Long Lake itself....though you can only get to it through Long Lake.

When are you going to be in the area?

[Fishn Michn]

Skeegemog and Elk, Torch, Clam chain of lakes, probably further then you want to drive. How about trying the big Marina's connected to Lake M? Betsie Lake, Leland, Suttons Bay, Clinch, Elmwood, Moutain Jacks, Arcadia? Probably as good an opportunity to catch one in there as any of the inland lakes mentioned.

[DaveW731]

Both ends of S Lake Leelanau are fishable from a kayak. On the SW side is a township park you can use, plus you could put in in the town of Cedar, if you wanted to fish the Cedar river and it's backwaters between the town and the lake. I've caught decent pike in both locations.In the town of Lake Leelanau there are a couple of places to put in by the bridge and there is a bait shop right there. Don't know if there are Muskies anywhere in the lake or not.

[durstaj]

I guess for muskie that Long Lake would be your best bet. Its a big lake, but I often see people in kayaks and canoes. The advice of the channel that connects it to Mickey Lake is good, I've seen a few swimming through there. Mickey Lake itself may be easier to explore than Long Lake itself....though you can only get to it through Long Lake.

When are you going to be in the area?

Last week of June. I'm thinking of using 3-6 inch suckers/perch (gotta check the relevant laws) as bait, also maybe some big spoons and spinnerbaits tipped with minnows/leeches/nightcrawlers.

And yes, John Warren, it will be quite a ride! Last year in South Bar Lake in Empire my little brother hooked into what must have been a monster northern (on an erie deerie tipped w/a crawler) and it pulled our kayak a good 30 yards or so. I have never forgiven myself for him not catching it - what happened was the drag on the rod I had him using didn't work. This year I'm going to be better prepared, as he was using a pretty light rod with 10lb test at best. In my defense I can't be faulted for my effort in trying to help him land it - I padded towards it like a bat out of hell to keep it from breaking the line. Right when it was under the boat and near the surface, the line went limp and depression (and much guilt for me) ensued. :(

This year I'm buying new equipment including our own kayak and new rods + reels. Plus we'll go places other than South Bar Lake.

[fishinthed]

Good you're getting some new gear. Best to go a lot heavier for muskies and gator pike. I'd say at least 20# test main line (I'm now using 50-65# Power Pro with 50-60# fluorocarbon leaders) with a powerful bait casting reel with a smooth drag and at least a medium-heavy rod to match. I like my rods to have a "measured curve," sort of medium-fast action, with power to match the lures I'm using. That's a pretty "guilt trip free" setup. ;):fish:

[durstaj]

Should I make my own leaders or just buy them? I'll have some time to kill beforehand but I'm not the best with tools, and plus I'm only going on two fishing trips this summer. Does leader material really matter? Intuitively it seems as though florocarbon would be best since it should be the least visible.

[fishinthed]

It's way more economical to make them, but leaders in short lengths are readily available, as I figure you wouldn't need the 6ft or longer leaders with stuff on the front end (like a big swivel chain and sometimes weight) we need to catch floating weeds when trolling on Lake St. Clair.

A double uni is good for joining the more supple braid to the stiff fluoro. 4 turns for the braid, 2 for the fluoro. If you're using inline spinners I recommend making sure there's a swivel chain or at least 2 swivels in line ahead of them to minimize line twist.