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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late March
March 25, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late March

We have open water on most of the lakes in Oneida and Vilas county which should be close to a record for ice out.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Lake Laura
March 18, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Lake Laura

Lake Laura is not the typical fair when it comes to the Northwoods' most sought-after musky lakes, but it is something to be appreciated and fished when you're looking for a relaxed getaway.

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Why Book a Guide Trip with a Musky Fishing Guide: Unlocking the Secrets of the Elusive Muskellunge
March 15, 2024

Why Book a Guide Trip with a Musky Fishing Guide: Unlocking the Secrets of the Elusive Muskellunge

Musky guides are seasoned professionals who intimately understand the behavior, habitat, and feeding patterns of these elusive fish.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early March
March 08, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early March

Our gamefish season has ended, so primarily you may target crappie, perch, and panfish in the Northwoods.

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Musky Fishing In Spring: Must Have Musky Lures
March 01, 2024

Musky Fishing In Spring: Must Have Musky Lures

Spring is a great time to target musky, the most elusive, and powerful freshwater fish that can grow up to 50 inches or more. Muskies are often found in shallow water during spring, as they follow baitfish seeking warmer temperatures. However, spring musky fishing can also be challenging, as the fish can be picky and temperamental due to the changing weather conditions. To increase your chances of hooking a spring musky, you need to choose the right lures and tactics for the situation. Here are some tips and recommendations for the best lures for spring musky fishing.

Soft Plastics

Soft plastic lures are a versatile and effective option for spring musky fishing. They have a realistic and subtle movement that can entice a musky that might ignore a more flashy lure. Soft plastic lures can also be fished in different ways, such as straight retrieve, jigging, ripping, or pumping, depending on the depth and mood of the fish.

Some of the best soft plastic lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is one of the most popular and proven soft plastic lures for musky fishing. It has a large profile and a curly tail that creates a lot of vibration and action. It comes in various sizes, weights, and colors, and can be fished in multiple ways. The Bull Dawg is especially effective in cold water, as it can be fished slowly and steadily to trigger a bite.

This is another soft plastic lure that has a lot of fans among musky anglers. It has three tails that create a lot of movement and drag, making it ideal for a pull-pause or jigging technique. The Medussa has a gliding and falling action that can entice a musky to strike on the pause. It also comes in different sizes and colors, and can be fished in various depths.

This is a tube jig bait that is similar to the ones used for bass or crappie fishing, but much bigger and heavier. The Monster Tube has a hollow body and a skirt that flares out when it falls, creating a lifelike appearance and action. The Monster Tube can be fished with a jig head or a weighted hook and can be retrieved or jigged along the bottom or near the cover.

Bucktails

Bucktail lures are classic and simple lures that consist of a metal blade and a hair or synthetic tail. They are easy to use and can cover a lot of water quickly. Bucktail lures are ideal for spring musky fishing, as they can imitate the baitfish that musky feed on, such as shad, perch, or suckers. Bucktail lures can also be fished at different speeds and depths, depending on the blade size, body weight, and shape.

Some of the best bucktail lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is one of the most famous and effective bucktail lures for musky fishing. It has a large willow blade that spins fast and creates a lot of flash and vibration. It also has a long and bushy tail that adds more action and visibility. The Musky Killer can be fished with a steady or varied retrieve and can be used in clear or stained water.

This is a double-bladed bucktail lure that creates a lot of noise and commotion in the water. It has two large magnum blades that spin in opposite directions, creating a unique sound and vibration. It also has a long and flashy tail that attracts attention. The Double Cowgirl can be fished with a fast or slow retrieve and can be used in murky or windy condition

This is a hybrid bucktail lure that combines a metal blade, a marabou tail, and a large reaper tail. It has a smaller and lighter blade that spins easily and creates a subtle flash and vibration. It also has a soft and fluffy tail that moves naturally and creates a pulsating action. The Extractor can be fished with a slow or moderate retrieve and can be used in calm or clear water.

Crankbaits

Crankbait lures are hard-bodied lures that typically have a lip or a bill that makes them dive and wobble when retrieved. They are designed to mimic the shape and movement of a baitfish, such as a minnow, a shad, or a perch. Crankbait lures are a good choice for spring musky fishing, as they can trigger a reaction bite from a musky that is chasing or ambushing prey. Crankbait lures can also be fished in different ways, such as straight, twitched, or pull-stop, depending on the lure type and the fish's behavior.

Some of the best crankbait lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is a large and realistic crankbait lure that has a balsa wood body and a plastic lip. It has a natural and lifelike appearance and action and can imitate a variety of baitfish. It also has a loud rattle that attracts attention. The Super Shad Rap can be fished with a steady or erratic retrieve and can be used in shallow or deep water.

This is a unique and legendary crankbait lure that has a wooden body and plastic diving lip. It has an easily utilized action that can entice a musky to strike. It can be fished with a light twitching technique and for a bit of springtime trolling, can even reach trolling depths of 5-6 feet.

This is an excellent spring crankbait lure that combines a hard cedar body with a sturdy Lexan lip. Its lip makes it dive and wiggle when retrieved. It can be fished with a straight or varied retrieve and can be used in clear or stained water.

Spring musky fishing can be rewarding and exciting, but also challenging and frustrating. In order to increase your chances of landing a trophy musky, you need to choose the right lures and tactics for the situation. The lures mentioned above are some of the best options for spring musky fishing, as they can imitate the baitfish that musky feed on and trigger a bite from a hungry or curious musky. However, you also need to consider other factors, such as the water temperature, clarity, depth, structure, vegetation, weather, and fish mood, and adjust your lure selection and presentation accordingly. Remember, musky fishing is a game of patience and persistence, so don't give up and keep trying different lures and techniques until you find what works.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late February
February 23, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late February

If you are thinking about coming up, please stop by the Musky Shop.  We have a full selection of ice fishing equipment as well as a great selection of bait held in cold well water.

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Musky Rod Choice 101: Finding the Best Fit
February 19, 2024

Musky Rod Choice 101: Finding the Best Fit

Choosing a rod for you that will remain in production and classic, is always the best place to start. 

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Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Sugarbush Chain
February 12, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Sugarbush Chain

The small Sugar Bush Lake Chain is the answer to all your needs – right here in Vilas County.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early February
February 09, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early February

 Our winter has been about as mild as any of us here in Minocqua can remember.  Last winter was really long and this winter was really mild.

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Pan Fried Burbot with Butter Beans
February 02, 2024

Pan Fried Burbot with Butter Beans

Pan Fried Burbot with Butter Beans

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late January
January 26, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late January

Here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, our ice conditions are finally getting somewhat decent.

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Musky Shops Exciting New Baits for the 2024 Musky Season
January 22, 2024

Musky Shops Exciting New Baits for the 2024 Musky Season

So, let’s take a run through what’s out so far this year to add some spice to your musky targeting tackle arsenal.

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Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Big Arbor Vitae
January 19, 2024

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Big Arbor Vitae

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Big Arbor Vitae

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early January 2024
January 12, 2024

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early January 2024

Fishing has been good.  Walleye’s have been primarily in green weeds – wood and rocks are ok.

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Warmer Weather Hurts Snowmobiling But What About Ice Fishing?
January 08, 2024

Warmer Weather Hurts Snowmobiling But What About Ice Fishing?

Many of the lakes of Vilas and Oneida County have between 4-10″ of ice that is still great for ice fishing.

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Bacon Wrapped Walleye Bites
January 05, 2024

Bacon Wrapped Walleye Bites

Bacon Wrapped Walleye Bites

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Merry Christmas to All From Jim Stewart at The Musky Shop
December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas to All From Jim Stewart at The Musky Shop

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late December
December 22, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late December

Ice fishing has been very good with a lot of fish beging caught here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

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Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Boom Lake
December 18, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Boom Lake

It’s time again for another Lake of the Month here in Northern Wisconsin and any “to fish” list wouldn’t be complete during ice season without a line for Boom Lake in Rhinelander.

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Ice Fishing Safety Tips for Northward Travelers
December 15, 2023

Ice Fishing Safety Tips for Northward Travelers

Though we never want to be a downer at the Musky Shop, we do want to raise awareness for those planning to ice fish this season and promote safety for those traveling to the Northwoods to ice fish for the first time.

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Musky Season Is Never Over for Avid Anglers
December 11, 2023

Musky Season Is Never Over for Avid Anglers

So now that the lakes are officially frozen and it’s time to seal up the family barge, what can avid musky anglers do to hold them over for the long winter season?

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Venison Vegetable Soup
December 04, 2023

Venison Vegetable Soup

Venison Vegetable Soup

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How to Winterize Your Fishing Boat
November 27, 2023

How to Winterize Your Fishing Boat

How to Winterize Your Fishing Boat

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