Growing to gargantuan size, the Muskellunge is one of the most revered and sought-after North American gamefish.While trout, bass, and salmon are all popular, the Muskie is the only freshwater fish surrounded by yeti-like folklore.Its ability to see and fight, along with its relative scarcity, has earned it this title.An angler needs to follow a specific formula to catch Muskies.Carefully consider the water temperature and time of day, and be sure to bring strong equipment in order to catch these ferocious and cleverly evasive fish.
Step 1: Go to a body of water.
Muskies are cold-water fish.As far south as Tennessee and as far north as Northern Ontario, they are found.There are many ways to determine if a fish swims in your body of water.The Division of Natural Resources is the most reliable.Check the local fishing forums, clubs, and bait shops.You can find the state you plan to fish in on the Division of Natural Resources website.You should be able to find local bodies of water, such as lakes and creeks, where Muskellunge can be found.
Step 2: The location is within the water.
Muskie water can be difficult to analyze.Knowing where to start is a challenge for these fish, who live in lakes that are often thousands of acres.Being familiar with migratory patterns is important.You can find the current water temperature by looking at it.From the initial thaw through early spring, when water temperatures range from the upper 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit, focus on the shallowest parts of the lake.When water temperatures reach the mid-50s Fahrenheit, fish in depths of five to twelve feet.Deeper structures, such as submerged rock piles and timber, can be found in the fish's summer homes.When the water goes back into the 60s and 50s, fish in the shallows where there are schools of prey, such as perch and whitefish.When the water is cold in the 40s and 30s, fish in deeper water where the Muskies live.This is when you can catch the biggest fish.
Step 3: It is a good idea to pick a time to fish.
The adage of fishing at the crack of dawn is not completely true.Muskie's body temperature is a direct result of their environment.Muskie are most active during the warmest hours of the day when the sun is overhead.Muskies find their best hunting temperatures at dusk and dawn during the warmest months of the year.
Step 4: Pick the day.
If you fish during the day, choose a day with a new or full moon.Pick a night with a full moon for fishing.The advantage of fishing during the moon phases has been established for years.
Step 5: You can create a pattern.
A running log of fish caught and seen is kept by many successful Muskie anglers.Keeping track of the day, time, and location of each Muskie encounter can be done with either a map or aGPS system.You can add new spots to your log.You can plug in the conditions and season to know where to fish in a body of water.
Step 6: You can choose a rod or reel.
Use a heavy tackle.Adult Muskellunge can grow up to 50 lbs.Heavy action rods can be up to nine feet long.A large bait-casting reel and a muskie rod can be used to catch fish.Heavy action rods can be used to cast jumbo-sized lures and fight large fish.
Step 7: You can select the line.
The pound test is used to determine the strength of a line.If you want to prevent line breaks and missed fish, use heavy braided line with a pound test between 80 and 100.The main line should be connected to the lure with either a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader.
Step 8: Pick the size of the lure.
The variety of lures available can be overwhelming.Muskies are known to eat nearly every other freshwater fish in their waters.Don't be intimidated by baits that are large.Muskies prey on fish 25%- 50% of their length, so using 8-12” lures is within reason.The activity level of these fish is determined by the season and water temperatures.Fish are slower in cold water.Rattle traps and crank baits are small baits.In ideal water temperatures, from the 60s to the low 70s, fish are more active.Large baits such as rubbers and swimbaits can be used.
Step 9: Pick the lure's movement.
Slow baits like glide baits, jerk baits and jib baits are good in cold water.Bucktails, spinnerbaits and topwaters can be used in warmer water.The fish will be slow when the water temperature is hot.When water visibility is low, look for baits with rattles, large blades, or other mechanisms of creating noise and water movement.The lateral line is a set of sensory organs that run down the length of many freshwater fish.When visibility is decreased, the lateral line system can detect small changes in water movement and pressure.
Step 10: You can choose a lure color.
Natural colors and patterns work best in clear waters.There are lures that are easier to detect in stained or muddier waters.Match the hatch when the water is clear by using perch and shad imitations in waters where perch are the main food source.Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, or white can be used when the water is low.Dark colors such as black provide the best contrast to dirty water.
Step 11: You can choose a retrieve.
Water conditions and fish activity can affect how to retrieve a lure.When fish are active, use a more rapid retrieve.Slower retrieves are needed in both warm and cold waters.When the fish give you positive feedback by either following your bait or actually biting, try to repeat that pattern throughout the day and when you encounter similar conditions.Muskie are known for stalking baits.They follow just out of site more often than they follow behind a lure.At the end of each retrieval, perform at least one figure-eight maneuver boatside.The figure-eight gives an angler more time to notice a fish closing in on the bait, as the change in direction often causes hesitant fish.
Step 12: The right tools can be used.
Always use sharp hooks.Since large hooks are often dull, it's a good idea to have a sharpening tool for them.Carry jaw spreaders, needlenose pliers, long-handled hook removal, and either a mini bolt cutter or side cutter.If that is not possible, bring a large net.If you plan to keep the fish, use a net.The rubber-coated bags on your net should be used to reduce the fish's mucus loss.A deep net with an opening between 34 and 44 inches should suffice.It's important to net the muskie head-first.Since you will be handling the business end of a toothy fish as well as very large hooks, these essential tools are necessary.
Step 13: The fish should be unhooked.
Allowing the fish to remain in the water for unhooking and initial handling is essential to the well-being of trophy Muskies.Lift the back of the hook with your pliers.Hard-to-reach hooks can be retrieved with a long-handled hook removal tool.Sidecutters or a mini bolt cutter can be used to trim the points off the hook if it is embedded too deeply.
Step 14: The fish needs to be held properly.
Don't put your hand in the fish's mouth to get your hook.The fish's teeth or gill rakers could hurt you.Right behind its gill covers, hold a small Muskie firmly across its back.If the muskie is large, hold it by the tail and under the body so another person can free the hooks.If possible, do this inside of a cradle.Wear gloves when handling animals.The gloves need to be resistant to puncture.Remove the fish from the water within the net or cradle as long as possible to photograph or measure it.These fish are not known to be hardy and do not tolerate a lot of handling.
Step 15: The fish should be released.
It is possible to help preserve the quality of fishing by practicing catch-and-release.You can take a photo of your catch with a camera.Unless you are going to mount the fish, don't keep it.If you want to release the Muskie into the water, you have to slide it into a cradle.Before releasing the fish, gently rocking it back and forth.It shouldn't be lying on its side in the water until the muskie is upright.