Curlew Lake is a relatively narrow and long lake north to south averaging 1/3 mile wide and approximately 4 miles long totaling 870 acres. The center is 90-120 ft. deep so there is plenty of cool water even in the hottest months for Tiger Muskies to thrive. Tigers have been planted here for over 10 years and some of the original “pioneers” may still survive as at least one 50 inch plus fish has been caught during each of the past two years. Neither were turned in for the state record. The lake is fun to fish since it has weedy shallows, four islands, four sunken islands, sharp points, and tucked away bays.

There are three adequate resorts and a state park to accommodate fishermen. Each resort has a boat launch and there is free public launching at the state park.

Starting from the south a small shallow lake called Roberta is attached to the main Curlew Lake by a tiny 2 foot deep (on a wet year) channel. Best to shut your motor off and paddle through it. Tigers have overflowed into it and a few are caught there along the edges. The very south end of Curlew Lake has a small centered and unnamed island that produces little. Just west of it is Beaver island and is productive on the west, south, and north bays which average ten feet deep. There are two sunken islands 100 feet apart just north of this island. The next island northward is Wiseman’s island in front of the State Park boat launch and is a good producer for Tigers on all sides. Trolling and casting around and between these two islands is a good place to begin. Zipfel’s island is located in the center of the lake, but it is a poor producer as the shoreline drops off quickly and has only a narrow line of weeds around it. Another large sunken island occurs in the north center of the lake just south of the secluded Julian bay nestled on the east side of the lake. Power up the center of the lake through 90 feet of water and when your depth finder suddenly goes to four feet, its not a malfunction, you just passed over the sunken island. Cast out the island and shoreward up to Julian bay. Julian bay is a fun place to cast and gives up a muskie now and then. Beware of three pilings just a foot or two under the surface east to west across the center of the bay.

Next go to the abandoned railroad trestle at the north end of the lake and troll and cast the bays there. Tigers are prevalent here similar to the south end of the lake. Throughout the lake local residents frequently spot muskies around their docks so that is another focal point. However, it is relatively rare to record stories of muskies being caught in these locations as well as in the very weedy shallow shorelines. They are often spotted there but tantalizing them with a variety of baits usually turns them off and they move away seemingly saying “stop bugging me”. They are usually caught feeding out in 6-15 feet of water. One theory is that they are resting and digesting their meal in the warmer shallows or shadows of the docks.

Catch records and resort owner reports indicate the Tigers turn on to better biting as the water warms over 70 degrees at the surface in July and continues throughout September. There are some indications from WSDFW telemetry tracking that the Tigers move good distances at night and perhaps are in a better feeding mode then. Few anglers tackle the challenges of night fishing to verify this. The hour before darkness has proven to be a good time producer. My experience is that the bait fish become active during that time and then right after dark the Tigers turn off. They have probably filled up by then. There are, however, sporadic good feeding windows during the daylight hours when you can experience a sudden bite. I have experienced as many as three hookups in a half hour during those episodes. However, those are very rare and 75% of the muskies into my boat have been scattered between 10a.m. and 4p.m. Fish all day and be there when they bite!

Trolling has produced twice as many fish as casting. You’ll average 3-4 days to catch a fish. Spoons, spinnerbaits, bucktails, and softbaits have produced equally well.

Good Luck and enjoy Tiger Time.