TAMARACK LAKE
If there were such a thing as a lake with lots of muskies, Tamarack would certainly qualify.

Tamarack is shallow, fertile and filled with cover, but this 500-plus acre water is more of a flooded swamp.

One of the best tips is to pick out an area and fish it well, rather than trying to fish the whole lake in one day.

A few years ago, Tamarack Lake was drained for maintenance work on its two dam structures. Since it was refilled, it has bounced back in fine form. The lake received stockings of both fingerling and adult fish. Currently, there are a lot of muskies in the mid to upper 30-inch range, as well as some over 40 inches.

Tamarack Lake is long and narrow. Much of the lake is 6 feet deep or less, though there is a deeper depression in the northern end of the lake near the dam. Both floating and submergent vegetation are heavy.

Lily pads line much of the shoreline. Milfoil is found throughout, though it hasn’t returned to the pre-drainage days, when it would make boat navigation difficult by summer.

There are plenty of stumps, both submerged and exposed. Muskies make good use of both the weeds and wood. During hot, stagnant weather, the lake often experiences a heavy algae bloom, which can hamper fishing efforts.

The primary forage base in Tamarack Lake is young panfish. Bottom-bouncing crankbaits that mimic these are productive, as are jerkbaits worked over weedbeds.

Tamarack Lake is limited to electric motors only. Several boat ramps may be found along Tamarack Drive. Two docks are suitable for larger boats.

For more information, contact the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-332-2338.

LAKE WILHELM
Known as an outstanding largemouth bass lake, Lake Wilhelm has quietly evolved into a quality muskie hotspot.

The centerpiece of Maurice Goddard State Park, Lake Wilhelm is long, narrow and fairly shallow. Maximum depth is about 25 feet.

Recent years have seen good levels of submergent vegetation in Wilhelm. Milfoil grows out to depths of about six or seven feet during years where sunny, warm weather occurs in spring.

Beaver lodges are common around the lake, as is other wood cover including laydowns and brushpiles.

Larger muskies are showing up each year, including fish in the 50-inch range. Food species include panfish and suckers.

Wilhelm is unique in that a portion of the lake lies in a state game lands. On that portion of the lake, only non-powered boats are permitted. Expect to find unexploited muskie fishing opportunities there.

A 20-horsepower limit is in effect on the remainder of the lake. Though some fish are taken by casting, most muskie hunters troll this lake, particularly during the summer.

Interstate 79 crosses the lake, making it easily accessible to anglers. Several excellent boat ramps are sprinkled around the lake. It also has a marina.

To obtain additional information on Lake Wilhelm, phone Goddard State Park office at (724) 253-4833.