2022 University of Esox Musky Schools Announced

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.

Jim Saric presents a seminar.

Since 1996, more than 1,500 fishermen have attended the University of Esox Musky Schools and more than 3,000 muskies have been caught by students and staff during the schools. The University of Esox 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 — owned and run by Musky Hunter TV Show Host Jim Saric and Musky Hunter Magazine Managing Editor Steve Heiting — 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.

Steve Heiting discusses a potential hotspot.

University of Esox Musky Schools are intensive but informal. The schools are designed for your education and enjoyment.

The schools heavily promote catch and release. While more than 3,000 muskies have been caught during University of Esox schools, no musky has ever been kept.

Jim Saric and Steve Heiting have hundreds of giant musky catches to their credit. Jim has taught musky fishing schools since the mid 1980s, Steve since the early 1990s. Jim and Steve are joined by Musky Hunter writers Spence Petros, Bill Sandy, 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

2022 Schedule

Summer Musky Tactics

June 10-12, 2022 • St. Germain, WI

• Hosted by St. Germain Lodge and Fibber’s Restaurant,  stgermainlodge.com
• Base Package (bring your own boat and tackle): $700
• Guided Package (fish with an instructor in his boat): $1,150

Hit the ground running for the new musky season! 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 writers and top local guides including Rob Manthei and Kevin Schmidt.

Students annually enjoy a success rate of around 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 26 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 1-715-358-0754, or e-mail at steveheiting@muskyhunter.com

Canada Musky Adventure

July 16-23, 2022 • Lake of the Woods, Ontario

Your opportunity to go back to Canada now that the border is open!

• Hosted by Sandy’s Blackhawk Island Camp, sandysblackhawkisland.com
• Full Week Package: $1,795 (bring your own boat)

Your ultimate musky vacation! 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. More than 2,400 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 personal best musky during this school, sometimes exceeding 50 inches. Sandy’s Blackhawk Island Camp is owned by legendary 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 24 students. While you can sign up as an individual, we highly recommend that you sign up with a partner.

You must bring your own boat to this school. Boats are not included in the school price, nor are they available from the resort.

Included in the school package are: 15 hours of seminars; twice-daily information-sharing sessions; class materials; all meals; lodging for the entire week; one day fishing with one of the instructors; dockage; welcome bag; and a chance at many valuable door prizes.

While part of your instruction includes a day fishing with one of the instructors, University of Esox instructors are not available to guide in the Canadian Musky Adventure. Bill Sandy is available as a guide throughout the week.

For more information: Call Steve Heiting at 1-715-358-0754, or e-mail at steveheiting@muskyhunter.com

How To Sign Up:

• Summer Musky Tactics School — A $200 deposit/person is required for the base (bring your own boat and tackle) package. A $300 deposit is required for the guided package.

• Canada Musky Adventure — A $600 deposit/person is required.

Your balance for any school you attend is due at the school’s conclusion.

You can sign up one of two ways: call Steve Heiting at 1-715-358-0754 and put the deposit on a credit card, or send a check or money order for your deposit to: University of Esox, c/o Steve Heiting Outdoors, PO Box 327, Minocqua, WI 54548.

Call 1-715-358-0754 to sign up or receive more info!
steveheiting@muskyhunter.com
Hurry! Enrollment is limited. Don’t miss your chance!

What Some Of Our Recent Students Have Said About Their Musky School Experience

All testimonials were unsolicited. Actual correspondence is on file at the University of Esox office.

“Just wanted to say thanks for a fun weekend and it was great for my son to get his first musky.”
— Rich M., Des Plaines, IL

“Thanks so much for a great weekend! I had a wonderful time, made some new friends and most certainly ‘upgraded’ my musky fishing skills/knowledge.”
— Tom L., Fort Worth, TX

“Had a blast and learned a lot even with the tough weather and fishing this week. Thank you so much for the opportunity learn from you all.”
— Joel S., Indianapolis

“I had a great time at the musky school. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the event.”
— Phil L., Jefferson City, MO

“Thanks for a great trip. Thanks for taking us out; as always we learned a lot of new techniques. Good jokes as well! Excited as hell to see Jack catch that 48.5.”
— Mike R., Monee, IL

“Wanted to share with you the 50.5 incher I caught June 29th using a Hawg Wobbler. Though fishing was tough for me at the Esox University, I was able to use several tips I learned.”
— Walt P., Gurnee, IL

“Driving home, my brother and I agreed we had gotten exactly what we came for. All in all, it was a great experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of their experience level.”
— Wayne B., Butler, KY

“Following the class a few weeks ago, Ryan and I are on Lake of the Woods with my son Chris who landed this 47″ last night at 10 pm. His first ever musky! Caught it using a Suick Thriller firetiger and using some of the lessons learned at the school. Thanks again for everything!”
— Mark M., Victor, NY

“Just want to thank you for making for another fun week of chasing toothy critters.”
— Bob and Jeff B., Kiel, WI

“I just wanted to say again what a great experience I had last week. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, learned more about musky hunting, and met some great people. If you have a request for references for the school please feel free to share my contact info with prospective students.”
— Joe D., Metamora, IL

“Like I said before you left, thank you. Had a great experience last week. Picked up a few things that paid off right away and a few that I still need to practice. Very happy we decided to do this with you guys. You, Jim and Kevin do a great job.”
— Joe M., Downers Grove, IL

“Here are the pics of my 47.75” and 50″(PB) from last week. Had another great week. Thanks.
— T.J. H., Pittsboro, IN

“I wanted to thank you for a great experience at University of Esox last month. Despite tough fishing conditions, I managed to catch a new PB. Both my guides were great, and I’d love to fish with either one of them again.”
— John W., Aurora, IL