4 replies to this topic

[Sharpie]

Can someone help. First time going after Muskie and I was wondering when they are in season? Any help would be great. Thanks For The Help John

[Rob D.]

they are right now everywhere im pretty sure just read the regs and careful of the size restrictions

[rile]

They are in season most places, the upper niagara is your best bet, just cast the wees beds and drop offs (alot more fun than trolling) with bucktails or spinnerbaits and you should have no problem hooking into some smaller ones, ive caught quite a few right off shore. Make sure you are using a stong steel or fluro leader, and heavy tackle to make reviving them easier (hopefully you will be releasing any musky you catch regardless of size). Also when landing them if your going to net them make sure you have a large net, refrain from using the small one as they cut fins, bruise the fish, damage the fish, a cradle also works great and easier on the fish but can be hard to use. Good luck, and don't get discouraged, it took me a full year of targeting them on the niagara from boat before i finally landed one. Once you get your first, they seem to come alot easier.

[Mark Counsell]

rile, on Jul 6 2010, 08:23 PM, said:

They are in season most places, the upper niagara is your best bet, just cast the wees beds and drop offs (alot more fun than trolling) with bucktails or spinnerbaits and you should have no problem hooking into some smaller ones, ive caught quite a few right off shore. Make sure you are using a stong steel or fluro leader, and heavy tackle to make reviving them easier (hopefully you will be releasing any musky you catch regardless of size). Also when landing them if your going to net them make sure you have a large net, refrain from using the small one as they cut fins, bruise the fish, damage the fish, a cradle also works great and easier on the fish but can be hard to use. Good luck, and don't get discouraged, it took me a full year of targeting them on the niagara from boat before i finally landed one. Once you get your first, they seem to come alot easier.

From a boat try these areas, weed flat behind Strawberry Island, mouth of anyone of the creeks entering the upper niagara, back eddies created by a point with a weed rock transition. From shore again anyone of the creeks and a shore line with a quick break into deeper water.

Throw suspending jerkbaits and 1 to 11/2 ounce spinnerbaits. Stay away from the 12" baits this time of the year, most of the baitfish are smaller in the spring than fall.

Good luck and see you out there

[I'm_A_Drifter]

Don't target them and you'll catch'em aplenty!

But yeah, Upper Niagara is prime.