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Posts: 619
Location: Verona, WI | My in-laws have a place in Wisconsin where there are several smaller, shallow rivers (the kind you can throw a rock across) with musky in them. I did manage to pick up a small fish wading which was a riot and I am thinking of spending some more time there this year. How much different is small river fishing that traditional lake fishing? Most of what I did was topwater only but that was more out of preference than anything else.
Shane |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Shane, I'll call you tomorrow on this and about your baits. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | It is different, but the concepts all the same really. Your throwing topwater, is really a great step in connecting with river fish in general. Just know that because of flow, and raised O2 levels in rivers, Muskies can and will be in much shallower water than you would normally think. First casts to ambush points are often key, and good accuracy is a plus! you will eventually find pools and pockets that are consistant producers, and the cast angles that are best for them. Generally, your spring tackle is good all season on the small ones, along with the topwater. That doesn't mean you should leave the traditional sized stuff at home, just that quite often it is easier to work the skinny water with the smaller shallower running lures most of the time. Good Luck! |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Reefer is right on with the smaller stuff. I tend to throw lots of minnow baits on smaller rivers. Slammers, Lip Rippers, and 6" Jakes are consistent producers, but the Bomber Mag Long A's also get smacked pretty good. Gliders look awesome when you throw some current in with them, but they can be almost too erratic.
The river fish tend to have really good aim, and rip baits hard when you drop them in their face, so like Jason said, good casts are necessary.
Sight fishing them in the spring can be one of the most fun ways to catch them. Find some sand and a nice flat, and keep your eyes open. Toss a jig and creature at them and let them sit, get a little jiggy with it, let it sit, and have fun watching how they react. They can get down right squirly doing that. |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Oh yeah, if you can chuck flies, have a ball with a fly rod and some big streamers. |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | All good advice above, not much I can add to it. Topwater and twitchbaits for the most part, not much reason for anything else in this situation. Accurate cast placement is key, just like trout fishing.
One thing to think about is putting together a small tool pouch with release tools. Hook cutter, jaw spreader, snap ring pliers, fish friendly gloves to help handle fish, etc.
These hidden small rivers can be a blast and you might very well be surprised at the size of some the fish in them.
Good Luck, |
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | I fish a small river a lot and have a good time, I found musky laying in the shadows of over hanging trees on the other side. Don't forget to try some bucktails in the process, the river musky can be pretty darn finicky at times. I also find them hiding among fallen tree structures.
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Here's a great story about a big fish from a small stream:
http://westvirginia.muskiesinc.org/chris48.htm
m |
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Posts: 743
| Shane W!!! what up man!!!!!!!???!!!!!!!!!
Dude..if the river is dirty water...Firetiger SS Shad man!!! they are so boyant that you can work them around trees pretty easy (and other river snags)...just let them rise and you're good to go. alot of wobble, good hooking baits.
tomcat |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | One nice aspect about river fishing is that it tends not to affected by cold fronts as much as lakes tend to be. |
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Fishing in Small Rivers