Catch a Trophy Musky in Northern WI
Did you know that muskellunge—musky—is the state fish of Wisconsin? It's not surprising: there have been more world records landed here than anywhere else! The challenge of musky fishing—physical size, moodiness, explosive strikes—make it one of the most difficult trophy fish, but also one of the most alluring catches, drawing anglers to the Cable, Wisconsin area from across the state and country.
So, what are the best places to find musky? Depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for an easy(ier!) catch, smaller, shallower lakes with more vegetation or rivers often yield higher musky populations for a higher chance of landing a fish, but increased populations tend to mean smaller fish. Those seeking a trophy fish will have to be patient—these don’t come easily!—and should look to large, deep clear-water lakes with lower populations of musky.
When is the best time to catch a fish? Open season for musky begins Memorial Day Weekend in the Northern zone and the first Saturday in May in the Southern zone, though the biggest musky months tend to be during the summer, when the weather is warmest. The best conditions tend to be windy, rainy, or overcast days in times of low boat traffic.
Musky Lake Classifications
To help anglers find their ideal spot, the lakes of Wisconsin have been divided into different fishing classes, based on their ability to yield musky. Over 47% of Wisconsin’s lakes are rated as Class A1 lakes.
Class A1:
These are trophy waters. The fish are large, but the number of catches tend to be low and inconsistent.
Class A1 lakes include:
- Namekagon
- Eau Claire Lakes
- Grindstone Lake
- Lac Courte Oreilles
- Iron River
Class A2:
These are more consistent waters and can yield large fish, but overall, while total numbers are higher, the percentage of large fish caught is less than an A1 lake.
Class A2 lakes include:
- Spider Lake
- Diamond Lake
Class B:
These are intermediate lakes that tend to have good fishing, but overall success rates might be lower.
Class C:
These are typically irrelevant fisheries.
Fish the Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Locations Around Cable, WI
Discover True Seclusion in the Quiet Lakes
Explore the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
The fishing culture of this area of Wisconsin reaches so deep that the small-town of Hayward is even home to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, which serves as an international center for education, recognition, and promotion of freshwater fishing. Though the Hall of Fame offers a wealth of knowledge and history, its highlight is most definitely the “Shrine to Anglers”—a massive 4-story leaping musky of concrete, glass, and steel.
Find Your Vacation Getaway in Cable
If you're ready to leave the cares of the modern world behind and retreat to a land of breathtaking natural beauty and endless outdoor recreation, then it's time to give McKinney Realty a call. We're here to help you explore the area and find the perfect lake for your Northern Wisconsin vacation home.