Lake of the Woods is home to numerous muskie hot beds. The 14,552 islands make for great habitat for growing monster muskies. With plenty of 50+ inch fish caught and released already this year, Lake of the Woods is near the top of the list for muskie anglers. We have even seen an albino muskie pulled from the water this summer.

Muskie like weeds and will go deep into the weeds but generally they patrol the outside of weed-beds or at least close enough to the edge that they can ambush prey. Prey can be anything from a smaller fish, ducks, or even muskrats. You will also find them around structure like deep humps, rocky points, and around islands. Also around points leading into shallow weedy bays but not back into the weeds. 

Muskie like similar structure that Pike and Walleyes like but they like structure that faces the open lake and in places where they have quick access to the large open parts of the lake. So as a muskie hunter it is wise to troll along shore and stay between some structure and the open lake or just on the outside of the weeds. Burning cabbage or rocks with bucktails has been the go to this summer so far.

With big, sharp teeth muskies require some large tackle. Here is a list of supplies you will need.

A Heavy stout rod, usually 7-8′ long

A large net

Long pliers

Steel leader

Heavy swivels

Camera

Gloves

Lures- a good mix of bucktails, top water, and crankbaits

They say muskies are the fish of 10,000 casts so it is essential to be fully prepared when your lure is lucky enough to get crunched. Being prepared will not only help your chances of catching one of these toothy critters but it will greatly improve the chances of the fish surviving being caught.