Northwest Fishing Reports

I'd like to get an idea what everyones favorite Musky Fishin Lake is and which lakes they dont care for.


I have only been to Tapps, Silver, Newman and Mayfield

Still on my list to fish are Curlew, Merwin and Evergreen.

Tapps and Silver are ok but not very scenic when compared to Newman and Mayfield.

Tapps has the issues of being very heavily used on nice days. But hey, its very close to the house so it automaticaly gets extra points for location.

If I had to choose one... I'd pick Mayfield.

Reasons:
Size, I like the larger lakes that are deeper.
Ambience, Mayfield is quiet and mostly undeveloped.
Diversity, lots of fish species in Mayfield including salmon.

Newman would be my second pick as a fav.

Silver is fairly shallow and was very weedy at the N end of the lake the day we were there. I currently pick this as my least fav Musky lake.


Which one is your fav and least fav?

My #1 has got to be Mayfield, I have a ton of happy memories. Every year I go there just adds to them.

My least favorite has got to be Tapps, sorry guys, but it's too noisy and crowded.

Evergreen isn't bad and it definitely gets you away from crowds, although, I worry if my truck will still have wheels and tires

when I get back to the launch.

Great thread, I can't wait to read everyone's responses.

Im gonna have to agree about Tapps, the recreationl users sure can make it hard at times. Went to Tapps last night and had a ski boat cut between us and shore at one of the points we were fishin. I wonder if these people have any clue how shallow it gets there.

I'll weigh in here--my favorite, by a landslide is Merwin! Although, when we were there last, it was choppy and a bit difficult to navigate, overall it was AWESOME! We saw many, many fish and in fact, my significant other hooked his first ever Muskie and got her to the boat! Lots of activity and nice fishing places on Merwin, just an overall nice lake.

My second choice for sighting fish and the scenery is Curlew! Can't say much about catching fish on Curlew...the Muskie seem to smile and swim on by but it's a beautiful lake.

My third pick would be Mayfield for all of the reasons previously mentioned. I've gotten to where I hate fishing on Tapps. The heavy traffic, rude boaters and fewer and fewer sightings make it annoying!

Have yet to try Evergreen, Silver, or Newman.

Who's next...

PAD

I think Merwin is the prettiest of all the lakes, especially when the mist comes in on a soggy September day and you're the only boat on the water and have the lake to yourself.

Don Wittenberger wrote:I think Merwin is the prettiest of all the lakes, especially when the mist comes in on a soggy September day and you're the only boat on the water and have the lake to yourself.

Not any more Mr. Wittenberger... I will be on that lake with you!!!!! Okay, I wish.

You gonna make the Pend Oreille on the 3rd? I enjoyed your conversation/company at the Tapps Lake Open.

Thanks,

Kenster

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make Pend Oreille. Maybe next spring.

OK, I'll put in my two cents,

First would have to Merwin for the fact that I've have had the best fishing days there and I understand the lake, I think.

Next would be Mayfield for some of the same reasons and it closer to home than some of the others.

Curlew is an awesome place but the drive just sucks.

I would have to place Tapps on the bottom of my list; I'm so tired of dealing with all the stupid people on that lake. It's got to the point where you can't even enjoy yourself there anymore. Besides I never seem to catch anything there anyway.


enjoy

Having only fished a few of the lakes, I would have to rate them:
1. Merwin
2. Curlew
3. Mayfield (a distant 3rd, by the way)
Tapps would be last.

I haven't fished the others.

Well, Its looking like Merwin is the lake of choice with Mayfield and Curlew coming in second and third. Tapps seems to be, unquestionably, the least favorite of the Musky lakes. Im totally looking forward to getting on Merwin now, thanks for all you input!

First of all let me say I am assuming that we are only talking about our "favorite" muskie lake(s) in the State of Washington?

Without a doubt, I believe the lake with the most potential is probably Merwin. It is 4400 acres +/- of relatively unspoiled beauty...still. I would vote this my number one lake based on its size and ambience.

Curlew is also a beautiful lake only much smaller...around 640 acres +/- I believe. Curlew is a great lake simply because of where it is located...away...far away from the Seattle area near Republic Washington!

Lake Mayfield is alright also at about 2200 acres +/- ...but if you have fished Lake Mayfield more than a "few" times I think you will find that it fishes relatively "small" for muskies at least. I like Lake Mayfield. It was the first Lake here in the State of Washington that I fished for muskies when I moved here from Minnesota so many years ago. I have noticed in the past few years that boat traffic is definitely on the increase on this lake during the Summer months. Lake Tapps refugees:)

I think Lake Tapps is an "interesting" lake and if you look at it for what it is an "urban" lake. Lake Tapps really is a fine muskie fishery. It fishes "BIG". The lake is physically large with a lot of structure, docks, and it has varying depths etc... that could possibly hold muskies. The largest "turn-off" about Lake Tapps during the Summer months, at least for anglers, is the additional boat traffic after about 11:00 A.M. on hot Summer days. I think in the future as this lake is stocked regularly with tigers it is going to become an awesome muskie fishery. It is also nice to have this lake in our own backyard! Yeah, it has some houses on it...Yeah, it is busy...but it is a good fishery and it is nearby! It is not bad in the morning...actually peaceful and quite beautiful when it is clear and you can see the snow capped mountain in the background.

I have not fished the "Eastside" as of yet so I will reserve my "opinion" on those lakes. I will be looking forward to doing more fishing over that way in 2010. We need more lakes to be stocked with tigers in Washington. Larger bodies of water can usually support more fish...especially more larger fish for a prolonged period of time. I personally would like to see the WDFW add some lakes to the Tiger Muskie Stocking Program especially north of Seattle on up to Bellingham etc...I have talked to several anglers who would also like to see this happen. Keep your fingers crossed...We will do our part:)

Washington State was the original intent of the question, but I dont go very far when fishin. If you have a kickin lake you like elsewhere, please share! Never know when our travels get us to others stomping grounds. Looking forward to some Colorado Musky next time I get to Denver.

Tapps is nice alot of the time for sure. It gets judged harshly for its fair weather recreational users.

I have only fished three................Silver, Curlew, and Merwin.

Merwin is beautiful, really nice, but after seeing pics of that monster fish caught this year in Curlew it is at the top of my list. Wow!

Jed V.

You have to get back to Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin for some fantastic pure strain muskie fishing! Thousands, upon thousands, of lakes and also dozens of Muskies, Inc. Chapters are there to help you find a good lake! Some of the best guides etc...are M.I. Members along with thousands of other muskie anglers! I can't say enough about it! I grew up there fishing it and I still love it! Lake Of The Woods, Vermillon, Leech, Minnetonka, the Chippewa Flowage, and the Spider Chain etc...fantastic place to be from if your passion is muskie fishing!:)...and now Green Bay...look out "World Record".

bad esox wrote:You have to get back to Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin for some fantastic pure strain muskie fishing! Thousands, upon thousands, of lakes and also dozens of Muskies, Inc. Chapters...

Had a great time my last trip to Denver. Still cant believe I lived so close to a Musky lake back then, High School, about a mile as the crow flies.

Colorado, a place not really known for it's muskie program. It seems kind of funny how both the our current Presidents are from there! The current Pres. of Chapter 57...Bud & The International President of Muskies, Inc. Mr. Dan Narsete are both "Coloradoians".... Must be the alignment of the stars!:)