Are you looking to catch your first or biggest musky? Have you ever wondered what separates those who occasionally catch muskies from those who consistently boat this elusive fish? If so, the University of Esox is for you.
The University of Esox, an offshoot of Musky Hunter Magazine, is the pre-eminent musky fishing educational program and has been in business since 1996.
The University of Esox conducts weekend and week-long musky fishing schools in the Midwest and Canada each season. Each school combines classroom seminars with on-the-water instruction and fishing, and focuses on the location and the time of year in which the school is held.
What Is The University of Esox?
The University of Esox is designed to help people become better musky anglers. University of Esox Musky Schools combine peak musky fishing times with great musky locations. Schools involve classroom instruction and fishing, and are held at first rate resorts throughout the Midwest and Canada. Seminars feature PowerPoint, video, and hands-on instruction. 
University of Esox Musky Schools are intensive but informal. The schools are designed for your education and enjoyment. Through 2011, more than 2,100 muskies, including hundreds of trophy fish, have been boated by students at University of Esox events.
The schools heavily promote catch and release, and no musky has ever been kept at a University of Esox event.
Your instructors for the musky schools are Jim Saric, Editor of Musky Hunter Magazine and the host of The Musky Hunter Television Show, and the magazine’s Managing Editor, Steve Heiting, two of today’s best-known musky fishing professionals. Jim and Steve have hundreds of giant musky catches to their credit. Jim has taught musky fishing schools since the mid 1980s, Steve since the earl
y 1990s. Jim and Steve are joined by Musky Hunter writers Spence Petros, Bill Sandy, “Lunker” Lou Eich, Roger Sabota, Dave Dorazio, Kevin Schmidt, Ken Jackson, Rob Manthei and other top musky guides in teaching these schools.
Schools are held at outstanding resorts and lodges that cater to musky fishermen. Schools are non-competitive, and students are encouraged to share information to help everyone catch and learn more about muskies. A low student/instructor ratio is maintained, and class size is limited to no more than 26 students at any school.
What’s included:
- Latest information
- Marked maps
- Seminars
- Class materials
- All meals
- Lodging
- Welcome bag containing musky lures, leaders, etc.
- A chance at hundreds of dollars worth of door prizes
2012 Schedule
SUMMER MUSKY TACTICS
When: June 8-10, 2012
Where: Vilas County, Wisconsin
• Hosted by St. Germain Lodge and Fibber’s Restaurant, www.stgermainlodge.com
• Base Package (bring your own boat and tackle): $600
• Guided package (fish with an instructor in his boat): $900
Learn summer musky tactics during the pre-summer peak in the famed waters of northern Wisconsin. High success rate. This is a Friday through Sunday event, and the University of Esox staff will be joined by Musky Hunter Field Editor Roger Sabota and other top local guides including Ken Jackson and Rob Manthei.
Students annually enjoy a success rate over 50 percent at this school. Attendees receive about eight hours of seminars, which discuss all “typical” summer musky fishing tactics. As many as a dozen different area waters may be fished during this school.
Enrollment is limited to 23 students. This popular school is always a quick sell-out!
Don’t have a partner? We can pair you up with another student.
GUIDED PACKAGES:
Fish with the instructors! Guided packages are available only for the Summer Musky Tactics School in Wisconsin.
Students who choose the guided option may bring their own tackle or use the guide’s tackle. It’s your choice. You will fish out of the guide’s boat. If you’re traveling for a considerable distance to attend one of these schools and sign up for guided option, all you need to do is show up with clothing appropriate for the weather and a fishing license, and you’re good to go.
For more information: Call Steve Heiting at 1-800-23-MUSKY (1-800-236-8759), or 1-715-477-2178 outside the United States. Or e-mail at steveheiting@muskyhunter.com
CANADIAN MUSKY ADVENTURE
July 14-21, 2012 – Lake of the Woods, Canada • Hosted by Sandy’s Blackhawk Island Camp, www.blackhawkislandcamp.com
Full Week Pack
age: $1,695
A week-long musky fishing school on Lake of the Woods’ fabulous Northwest Angle is conducted by the University of Esox each July. Learn the secrets of Canadian waters and the tactics to catch giants. Twice-daily info sharing sessions keep everyone on the hot patterns. Over 1,700 muskies have been caught in this school since its inception — up to 54 1/2 inches. This school teaches students how to fish Canadian waters, specifically Lake of the Woods, with summer musky fishing patterns. The skills taught at this school can be applied to any Canadian water.
Each year, about a fourth to a third of the University of Esox students catch their largest musky during this school, sometimes exceeding 50 inches. Sandy’s Blackhawk Island Camp is owned by LOTW guide Bill Sandy, arguably the best musky guide on the entire lake. The camp, built in 1999, features beautiful log buildings and is one of Canada’s premier musky fishing camps. Jim and Steve are joined by veteran instructors Spence Petros and Kevin Schmidt.
Enrollment is limited to 26 students.
University of Esox instructors are not available to guide in the Canadian Musky Adventure. However, top-notch resort guides are available. Call for details.
How To Sign Up:
Weekend musky schools cost $600/person. A $200 deposit is required to reserve a spot. The week-long Canadian Musky Adventure costs $1,695, and a $600 deposit is required.
You can sign up one of two ways: Call 1-800-23-MUSKY and put the deposit on a MasterCard/Visa, or send a check or money order for your deposit to: University of Esox, c/o Musky Hunter, PO Box 340, St. Germain, WI 54558.
Call 1-800-23-MUSKY to sign up or receive more info!
steveheiting@muskyhunter.com
Hurry! Enrollment is limited. Don’t miss your chance!
If You Still Aren’t Sure About Attending A University of Esox Musky School, Read These Testimonials
All testimonials were unsolicited.
Actual letters are on file at the Musky Hunter office.
“Just a great trip, wonderful people, and great hosts. Thank you.”
– Eddie O., Dwight, IL
“Jack and I would like to thank all of you for a great trip. You were all very helpful and taught us a lot about musky fishing. We are hooked on musky fishing after this one!!”
– Michael R., Monee, IL
“I just wanted to, again, thank you so much for all your hard work to put on a great school and a great experience. I especially wanted to thank you for the help and kindness you gave to us.”
– Brian D. Woodbury, MN
“Cole and I had a great time and once again would really like to thank you.”
– Duke S., Janesville, WI
”Just wanted to say thanks again for a great weekend. My brother and I stayed and fished an extra day and a half and caught three fish. Here are the pics. Thanks again.”
– Bobby M., Gilbert, AZ
“If you have not attended one of the [University of Esox] schools, do it! Everything is top notch, the classroom work and the on-the-water lessons, the food and lodging, let’s just say I’m a believer.”
– Russ M., Riverside, IL
“Here are the pictures. Thanks for everything. My dad and I had an awesome week.”
– Mike M., Eau Claire, WI
“Thanks again for a great week up at LOTW. As always, you did an outstanding job putting everything together and putting everyone on fish.”
– Marc E., St. Michael, MN
“Made my first trip to LOTW for the school. It was awesome. I caught my first 50-inch musky. The school was great. Jim, Steve, Kevin and Bill are all class acts. Would recommend the trip to anyone.”
– Dwayne S., Thompsontown, PA
“Thanks for a great trip and a great time.”
– John M., South Elgin, IL
“Thanks again for putting on the University. I now dream about being up there every day. It was a great experience and I learned a lot on my first musky fishing adventure.”
– Matt N., Chicago
“Thanks for everything you did at musky school. For me, it was a miracle.”
– Wally L., Monona, WI
