Basic Muskie Fishing

Seasonal patterns

As you have seen there are many elements that go into muskie fishing. What it requires is for us to decide what elements or things are important in order to catch a big muskie. We must pick and choose those things that we think will work, this is why we look for “patterns”. A pattern is something that does or has worked. Establishing a pattern is doing something that changes what you have been doing unsuccessfully and provides you a path to success. There are many elements to successfully catching muskies, or any fish for that matter. Coordinating each of those elements and organizing them into a successful pattern is what the experienced muskie guide or fishermen does and is what you and I should do.

Look at the trends from the statistics compiled by Muskies, Inc. Look at the records from the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. You will begin to see things that have worked.

When we talk about seasonal patterns we are mostly looking at spring, summer and fall. These seasons can be further divided into varying segments that affect muskie movements. For example, most fishermen fish during the months of June, July and August. Thus, the most pressure, most fishermen, most catches. However, May and September are the best months for desirable water temperatures. October and into November are traditionally the best months for the big muskies.

Springtime means you are looking for south facing bays, as they will warm up sooner. Warm creek or river inlets will draw muskies. This is considered the post spawn time and is usually a tough time for muskies. Use small lures, the water will be cold 50° to 58° F. Then comes pre-summer, this is usually a sporadic or transition period. This is followed by a short two-week period around the middle of June. This is a hot time for the muskie bite. Around June 21st we begin the summer months. Fishing is best in the early mornings before 8:00 am and in the evenings after 6:00 pm. Getting into August we find cooler days and calmer waters. Then around late August to mid September turn over occurs.

Turn over is a brief period of chaos where water changes density as its temperature changes. The summer has warmed the surface water causing temperature stratification in the lake. Warm, less dense water on top and cooler denser water on the bottom. As fall comes upon the lake the surface water begins to cool. The colder water being denser descends to a shallow band of very cool water called the thermocline. Below the thermocline band is cool, stable water, temperature wise, which now is actually warmer than the cool water above the thermocline. Pretty soon this denser, heavier cold water above sinks causing the cool, stable, warmer, less dense water on the bottom to rise to the surface. Thus you have turnover.

On large bodies of water you may have turnover occurring in different parts of the same lake. Things like lake depth, high wind and changing weather conditions can affect the temperature stratification. Although you may as well stay at home and watch the fishing shows on cable during this period, rejoice in the fact that this is only a relatively short period and there are truly better days ahead. In fact the year’s best muskie fishing lies just ahead.By late September or early October as the water temperature hits 55° it is prime time muskie fishing. There is not a bad day until ice up or the season ends.

Proper handling & release techniques:

Land the fish quickly
Hold the fish firmly, but gently. Grasp the fish at the back of the head, just behind (not under) the gill covers. Do not hold a fish by the eyes-it can blind or kill them.
Use needlenose pliers to remove hooks. If your pliers have a side cutter, snip deeply imbedded hooks.
Cut the line if the fish is throat-hooked.
Don’t remove body slime.
Gently slide the fish into the water.
Release in shallow water, not over deep water.
Revive a tired fish by gently moving it back and forth in the water. The water moving through the gills will help in resuscitating the fish.
Only keep the fish out of the water for as long as you could hold your own breath.

Extra helpers:

Use barbless hooks (flatten bard with pliers or file down).
Use artificial lures only.
If using live suckers, always use a “quick strike rig” Never use single hook.
Clip one of the three treble hooks.
Use proper equipment so you can bring the fish in more quickly.

Don’t:

Don’t drop the fish in the boat.
Don’t net or handle a fish if you can leave it in the water.
Don’t release a fish that can’t right itself and bobs to the surface.
Any fish not of legal size must be released regardless of its condition.
Don’t place fish you plan to release on a stringer or in a live-well.

What is the future of muskie fishing?

Angler apathy
Commercial overharvest
Threatened and endangered species Act
Exotic species – milfoil, zebra mussels
Loss of spawning habitat-development
Sedimentation/Pollution
Spearing, both darkhouse and scuba
Inadequate size limits
Reproduction limitations
No-fish zones
Diseases-lymphosarcoma
Not recruiting enough youth fisher people

author contact: jamestsmith@cox.net | author bio