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Posts: 94
| I'm a noob to musky fishing (only caught one without a guide and it was luck, running a shallow shad in Leech Lake). I live in South Dakota and our musky community here is close to non-existent. My home lake is a shallow (15 feet deep) lake near my home of Sioux Falls and I am just having a hell of a time figuring out how to approach the problem. The issues I've discovered:
1. Because of the shallowness of the lake, the usual "fish on the first weed shelf" is kinda difficult to apply. I have tried to find the drops with weeds around them and haven't done well. I've done both casting and trolling, but haven't seen any luck. Not even a follow. I've marked musky once in a while, but it isn't common.
2. Algae blooms hit about mid july and remain for a while. I am not sure how to adjust. Musky 360 says move water, so I go for the noisy stuff like bucktails with little luck.
In Minnesota there are a ton of people who can give you advice re: musky fishing. Hell, some have made reference manuals for the lakes there. Down here, not so much. I can absolutely crush multi-species on this lake, but I am at a loss as to how I approach this problem.
https://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/...
that is a link to the depth chart, which is *mostly* accurate. The lake is divided by a road with only the north end containing musky. The south end of the north lake is all rip rap and I catch a ton of smallies here. The northern end is almost solely mudflats save for rocky points around the islands.
If you have any thoughts, they are appreciated. It's maddening that I can't catch a fish that has only 300 acres to move. |
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Posts: 32800
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Have you looked shallow, like 2' to 3'? Also, the assumption that muskies can't see in algae green water isn't totally accurate, fish can see better than you'd think under those conditions unless it's pea soup top to bottom, looking up, which is what they do.
On any given day I'd start shallow and move out as water is eliminated.
Areas where deep and shallow are close together on corners of flats could be key. |
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Posts: 490
Location: NW WI | I'm a filth fisherman myself. 3 questions: What baits have you been throwing? What do you have for "topical Veg". Pads, milfoil, grass ,Rice etc. And is your algae just clinging to all veg or are you getting large mass random blumes in open water? |
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Posts: 2236
Location: SE, WI. | R U fishing tigers or trues? Maybe downsize to bass baits. Spinnerbaits, or Jigs, creatures. Of course Wire leaders. Try ripping those deep weeds edges with jigs. I would think with the warm conditions the country is experiencing, those fish R buried in deep weeds. OR….. Try some prop wash trolling in that vacant 12-15’ water. Get some true running cranks on the smaller size, and don’t be afraid to kick up your speed….3.9-5 mph. If you think your moving baits too fast…..turn it up a notch;). Also if you have any 3-5 ounce spinnerbaits, try some speed with those! JD Usually bloom is only in upper / surface waters.
Edited by jdsplasher 9/6/2022 10:05 PM
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Posts: 1188
| What is the main forage in the lake? Fish in places and in ways, that mimic the main forage. Use baits that resemble the main forage. Sounds like a lake that may be a good bullhead lake. Use your electronics to find the bait. Secondly, fish every inch of the lake. It's 300 acres. Within a couple years, depending on how much time you spend on the water, you'll know every bit of the lake. |
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Posts: 94
| sworrall - 9/6/2022 6:43 PM
Have you looked shallow, like 2' to 3'? Also, the assumption that muskies can't see in algae green water isn't totally accurate, fish can see better than you'd think under those conditions unless it's pea soup top to bottom, looking up, which is what they do.
On any given day I'd start shallow and move out as water is eliminated.
Areas where deep and shallow are close together on corners of flats could be key.
I haven't too much, largely because of my confidence in the boat in shallower areas and I figured that the really high heat this summer would drive them deeper. I can try in the mornings and evenings.
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Posts: 94
| 7.62xJay - 9/6/2022 8:02 PM
I'm a filth fisherman myself. 3 questions: What baits have you been throwing? What do you have for "topical Veg". Pads, milfoil, grass ,Rice etc. And is your algae just clinging to all veg or are you getting large mass random blumes in open water?
1. Name it. Rubbers (bulldawg, medussa, posseidon 10), a suick, bucktails, believers, jakes
2. Grass mostly
3. Open water |
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Posts: 94
| TCESOX - 9/6/2022 9:34 PM
What is the main forage in the lake? Fish in places and in ways, that mimic the main forage. Use baits that resemble the main forage. Sounds like a lake that may be a good bullhead lake. Use your electronics to find the bait. Secondly, fish every inch of the lake. It's 300 acres. Within a couple years, depending on how much time you spend on the water, you'll know every bit of the lake.
Perch and bullhead. I've used both color patterns. |
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Posts: 455
| If you can crush it on multispecies, focus on those same type locations that you are having success. 90 percent of the fish live in 10 percent of the lake or something along those lines. Are there a lot of Muskies in this lake? |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | My guess is they will be more bitey in the fall. If it's 15' deep, summer is going to be too hot. High water temps will shut them down pretty good. Get out and try again when the water gets into the 60s. Personally I'd throw a mag dawg. Shallow and deep. |
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Location: PA Angler | Try patterns of baitfish that live in the waters. I also second the water being to hot. Early mornings or nights. Wait till the water gets cooler. |
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Posts: 497
Location: Ludington, MI | I try to start at the outside weed (cabbage or coontail are best) edge on the wind-blown side of the lake. |
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Posts: 386
| We're just getting into that time of year we all dream about... that'll be no different for you down there. Keep trying, they're about to be active. If I were to fish it, I'd want to be on that hump on the northern shore, roughly halfway east to west for moon phases, weather changes, stuff like that. At least until experience tells me otherwise. Is there no culvert or anything going to the south portion? |
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Posts: 497
Location: Ludington, MI | If I have the right lake, here's the stocking report. Doesn't look like they started with many.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=117...
Here's the lake survey from 2019, with a 10-year chart. They aren't finding many in their nets.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=188...
But don't let this discourage you! My experience on my home lake was that it took me 15 years from initial stocking to catch a 40-plus-inch fish on hook and line, but that smaller fish were showing up on bass spinnerbaits for random tourists within about three years and keepers showed up on spears (sadly) within about 6 years. Keep after it.
Do they bowfish on this lake? What do those guys say? Bowfishermen were the ones who saw our muskies maturing first -- at night with lights. Shine the sand in the evenings this fall (if legal) and see if you even see any. Might give you some confidence and some idea where to cast during daylight. |
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Posts: 3783
| Ditto on shining the lake way after dark. An hour before first light is even better. |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | tundrawalker00 - 9/7/2022 11:21 AM
If I have the right lake, here's the stocking report. Doesn't look like they started with many.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=117...
Here's the lake survey from 2019, with a 10-year chart. They aren't finding many in their nets.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=188...
But don't let this discourage you! My experience on my home lake was that it took me 15 years from initial stocking to catch a 40-plus-inch fish on hook and line, but that smaller fish were showing up on bass spinnerbaits for random tourists within about three years and keepers showed up on spears (sadly ) within about 6 years. Keep after it.
Do they bowfish on this lake? What do those guys say? Bowfishermen were the ones who saw our muskies maturing first -- at night with lights. Shine the sand in the evenings this fall (if legal ) and see if you even see any. Might give you some confidence and some idea where to cast during daylight.
Yes, this lake is not ready yet. The amount of older fish in the lake is not worth fishing in my opinion. |
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Posts: 300
| We are here  Both caught from the lake you are talking about!
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Posts: 300
| Tried to attach this one too but wouldnt let me do both.
Nevermind. File size too big.
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Posts: 300
| Kirby Budrow - 9/7/2022 12:02 PM
tundrawalker00 - 9/7/2022 11:21 AM
If I have the right lake, here's the stocking report. Doesn't look like they started with many.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=117...
Here's the lake survey from 2019, with a 10-year chart. They aren't finding many in their nets.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=188...
But don't let this discourage you! My experience on my home lake was that it took me 15 years from initial stocking to catch a 40-plus-inch fish on hook and line, but that smaller fish were showing up on bass spinnerbaits for random tourists within about three years and keepers showed up on spears (sadly ) within about 6 years. Keep after it.
Do they bowfish on this lake? What do those guys say? Bowfishermen were the ones who saw our muskies maturing first -- at night with lights. Shine the sand in the evenings this fall (if legal ) and see if you even see any. Might give you some confidence and some idea where to cast during daylight.
Yes, this lake is not ready yet. The amount of older fish in the lake is not worth fishing in my opinion.
I have multiple fish over 40", with the biggest being 46", that say you are wrong. It's a good lake. Just finnicky at times. |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | jvlast15 - 9/7/2022 12:11 PM
Kirby Budrow - 9/7/2022 12:02 PM
tundrawalker00 - 9/7/2022 11:21 AM
If I have the right lake, here's the stocking report. Doesn't look like they started with many.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=117...
Here's the lake survey from 2019, with a 10-year chart. They aren't finding many in their nets.
https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/ExportPDF.ashx?ReportID=188...
But don't let this discourage you! My experience on my home lake was that it took me 15 years from initial stocking to catch a 40-plus-inch fish on hook and line, but that smaller fish were showing up on bass spinnerbaits for random tourists within about three years and keepers showed up on spears (sadly ) within about 6 years. Keep after it.
Do they bowfish on this lake? What do those guys say? Bowfishermen were the ones who saw our muskies maturing first -- at night with lights. Shine the sand in the evenings this fall (if legal ) and see if you even see any. Might give you some confidence and some idea where to cast during daylight.
Yes, this lake is not ready yet. The amount of older fish in the lake is not worth fishing in my opinion.
I have multiple fish over 40", with the biggest being 46", that say you are wrong. It's a good lake. Just finnicky at times.
Nice! I've been wrong before |
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Posts: 300
| No worries! Would like to raise awareness for SD so we can get a few more lakes stocked! |
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Posts: 94
| jvlast15 - 9/7/2022 12:17 PM
No worries! Would like to raise awareness for SD so we can get a few more lakes stocked!
Sorry for being so forward, but is there a way I can get more involved in the local musky community? I'd love to just learn from people and I have my own gear and boat. |
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Posts: 386
| jvlast15 - 9/7/2022 12:17 PM
No worries! Would like to raise awareness for SD so we can get a few more lakes stocked!
That's awesome, good luck to you. Do you know where SD gets their fish from? |
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Posts: 300
| Iowa. |
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Posts: 94
| Thank god I made this thread, lol. Can't believe I found someone else who loves musky fishing. |
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Posts: 490
Location: NW WI | Kinda along the lines of what Kirby was saying about water temp-
Have either of you tried night fishing? If that water is in fact hot and especially if it gets alot of recreational traffic;Than you need to try night fishing. I promise you it'll be a night and day difference, no pun intended. Plus as a bonus your gunna be getting into some nice largies and smallies on accident. |
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Posts: 300
| Have not tried night fishing there personally. Ramp is a little sketchy for my 19ft boat. I feel like night time would complicate things a little more. Definitely something I would like to try at some point though! |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | Yup, night fishing. You'll figure it at the landing. |
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Posts: 94
| Kirby Budrow - 9/8/2022 8:16 AM
Yup, night fishing. You'll figure it at the landing.
I'll give it a shot. You stay out the entire evening? |
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Posts: 490
Location: NW WI | Depends on your gusto and how you respond to caffeine intake. Personally I'd head out between 4-6pm so your still covering the "dusk" bite. Than keep going, you'll likely experience an increase in activity at or shortly after moonrise. Than go as long as your comfortable with. Idk how old you are but you sound driven. Please heed my advice when I say "If you start feeling naseus,delirious,irrationally paranoid, or just plain too tired; pack it up and leave"
Night is not a time to push yourself beyond what's safe. Trust me. |
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