Forest and Stream 
Vol. LXXXIII. 
August 22, 1914 
No. 8 
rtCK-3 
Notes on Minnesota 
17 • l • 
r ishing 
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By Robert Page Lincoln. 
T HE lakes of this state are well stocked with 
man}' kinds of fish, both plain, and of the 
game variety. Sun-fish, crappies, perch 
and pickerel are found in great numbers, often 
running to a good size. Black bass of the large 
mouth variety have attained a reputation here 
Small mouths are found along the Wabasha, 
Mississippi and St. Croix. Good fly fishing is 
possible here in August and September. The 
Mississippi River being the boundary line be¬ 
tween Minnesota and Wisconsin, one can cross 
easily and fish the lower reaches of the Chippewa 
River which also has a reputation for excellent 
fly fishing for the small mouths. The Chip¬ 
pewa River has some mighty fine muscallonge 
fishing, a fact not generally known, though I be¬ 
lieve that is as far south, in either of the.se 
neighboring states, as this tiger fish is found. 
Some very good fishing may be had right 
around Minneapolis in Hennepin County, and 
St. Paul in Ramsey County. Hennepin County 
has upward of a hundred lakes, and though 
many of these have civilized fish in them, the 
v fortunate and painstaking angler always has 
luck in capturing them. There are times and 
\its to be used in much-fished waters. In the 
'i “.evening hours, when many of the boats are 
of. the lakes, one may go out and have some 
very'good luck with the crafty ones. Fishing 
deef^-' for such fish seems to bring more luck 
thdia surface fishing for them with artificials. 
Twenty miles out from the city of Minneapolis 
are found the Minnetonkas, famous both for 
‘ pictjresqueness and for fish. They are found 
1 fin :he midst of a country of exceptional pastoral 
beauty. In common with other lakes where civ¬ 
ilization has intruded, there are innumerable big 
mouth black bass that run to good size. Speci- 
> :rts up to five and six pounds are always 
brought in during the season. The average 
catch also will run to a decent size. I have 
fished northern lakes where the standard of size 
in bass was not equal to that recognized here. 
Where rod and reel and artificials or live bait 
do not catch a quota of the fine ones, there is 
recourse to the cane pole and frog which always 
assures good sport. The best fishing may be 
had in the months of July and September when 
the fish are in deep water and they may be still 
fished for off of the sandbars. Then either 
frogs, helgamite, minnows and ’crabs serve as 
coaxers to the doughty ones. Sandbar fishing 
has its charm and to locate them in these lakes 
assures a quantity of fish at times. Pickerel run 
to great size some twenty-five pounders having 
here been taken. The pickerel may not be a snappy 
and antagonistic fighter as compared with the 
muscallonge but for all that, taken upon light 
tackle he will furnish you good sport. Good 
fishing may be had out from Mound, on these 
lakes; in Graves Bay, and out from Spring Park. 
North Arm has good pickerel fishing, as also 
West Arm, Maxwell's Bay and Stubbs Bay at the 
northern extremity of this chain of lakes. One 
is always sure of enjoying a vacation spent in 
this territory, for the attractions are many and 
the accommodations always of the best. Then, 
too, one has convenient access to the big cities- 
Two car-lines tap this lake country, both run¬ 
ning into Minneapolis. Around the Minnetonkas 
are many lakes not as well fished as the big 
the Mille-Lacs lakes where there is excep¬ 
tionally good fishing and which is yearly a 
mecca for fishermen. North of Brainerd, the 
Leech Lake country has marks of exceptional 
distinction to be taken note of. Here the lakes 
are not so closely fished and therefore offer vast¬ 
ly more of an opportunity. By heading for 
Brainerd the fisherman always is sure of a good 
destination, and from this point may reach a 
number of excellent lakes. Further north yet, 
and a comparatively short distance from the 
Canadian border, one can locate at the little town 
of Deer River, and find a great number of lakes 
where fishing is good. As yet the resorters have 
not nosed into this country. It has something of 
the ta'll uncut yet attached to it and the fishing 
Making Room for the Big One. 
lakes. Lake Independence is more than worthy 
of mention as is Lake Sarah and productive 
Half Moon. The pike planting at the former 
lake has been eminently sucessful and in coming 
years it will be better here than anywhere in 
this part of the state. The same attractive sur¬ 
roundings are found at all th^se lakes. 
Northward of the cities one will find good 
fishing around Lindstrom, and Forest City, where 
there is another chain of lakes. Chicago City, 
also near here, makes a good point of destina¬ 
tion for the angler. 
Sixty miles from the City of Minneapolis are 
is good, as is the hunting in season. Bimegi, 
Minnesota, and the Cass Lake country offers 
good fishing. 
It would be eminently out-of-place here not 
to mention the vast number of fishable lakes 
found in Becker County, in and around the city 
of Detroit, Minnesota, in what is known as the 
Minnesota Interlaken. Here alone there are 
found well over two hundred bodies of water, 
all having some connection, and which offer good 
fishing at all times of the year. By locating at 
the City of Detroit one can make arrangements 
to reach some very good ‘bodies of water. 
235 
