Balsam Lake Report, First musky

[JordanR]

After 2 years of on and off fishing for musky. I finally land my first musky. I’ve netted multiple muskys with my boat partner, I’ve battled them to boat side, I’ve had bad hook sets on small baits. But finally got my first musky in the net on my rod. On Monday, a storm was coming, we had 2 hours before last light to head out, we get out there and start a troll. Catch a pike, instead of sticking to the same bait I decide to change it up, to a bigger musky size bait. Soon as the suns setting boom get a hit, fight him to the boat and next thing I know it’s pitch black out and most of our lights and cell phones dead. Barely got a picture but dam it was fun. Balsam lake is definitely challenging thru all seasons for all species. Anyone else feel this way about balsam lake? I’m usually always fishing the north west side of the lake as that’s where I’m located.

On a side note, I thought I was a good fisherman until I started only fishing balsam lake and since then I’ve struggled a lot. Another funny side note, this weekend was decent fishing and this the first weekend I got my boat in the water, it’s been in the garage all year and I’ve been using my moms boat. Coincidence, not sure. Lol

[JordanR]

Bass

[JordanR]

Pike

[Hank Jr]

Good job way to stick with it . The next one will be easier and bigger . Thanks for the report and pictures.

[MikeyLovesMuskies]

Woop Woop!! Way to go Jordan. It's a tough grind but you battled through and landed your first

Balsam , from what I've heard and seen myself, has been tough this year . I only hooked into one Musky in 3 trips to Balsam this season.

Keep grindin' bro. Nothing beats the feeling of hooking into a Musky .

On a side note, that's a nice looking stud of a Smallie you got there

[colanut]

Nice catches Jordan! I pretty much only fish Balsam now, and it is a challenging lake. Perseverance is the key I think. I lost a good muskie in the north end this year, but I don't target them (bass and walleye are my preferred). Its good to know that someone other than Paul J is landing decent fish there LOL. I'm done for the season, but I plan on hitting it hard next year to improve my technique to land some more fun fish!

[JordanR]

Thanks guys. Balsam is tricky. Every time I catch fish in a spot for a day or two. I won’t catch fish at that way point or even the same weedline/shoal/ etc again. Lol very weird. Big lake too, difficult to travel to lots of spots.

I’m not used to that. My other lakes I’ve fished I can do the same thing over and over again with some results. Oh well.

I’ve caught one walleye on the lake. It was a beautiful size. I fish the same area for the rest of the year with no luck on walleye again. It honestly frustrating lol. Oh well, side note the leaves were beautiful this long weekend.

[Rook]

Northwest ??/ hey that's where i fish since i am south of the park...spent all day Tuesday fishing in my shorts and Tshirt...awesome weather.
had about 5 pike follow my lures to the boat, only raised one big musky in the evening but it didn't want to commit, and wasn't interested in a figure 8 as well !!!
Can't bring myself to troll so it is just cast cast cast, change spots and repeat.
Hey, it was way better than working considering the beauty weather.
Balsam is a challenge all the time.
Rook

[JordanR]

I mean north east. Gull river mouth. Ops

[MikeyLovesMuskies]

Unfortunately, Balsam is loaded with Pike. But from experience, when I usually land a pike and that smell and slime gets onto the lure, I usually catch a Musky after