forage species?
Guest
Posted 7/25/2008 9:28 PM (#328102)
Subject: forage species?


This may be a silly question, but how do you find out what a particular lake has available for musky to eat? Where can you search for this information?
wers4455
Posted 7/25/2008 9:47 PM (#328103 - in reply to #328102)
Subject: RE: forage species?





Posts: 415


Location: madison wisconsin
I usually look at the lake map. Whatever body of water I fish, I always have a lake map. I buy the "Mapping Specialists" ones. They give out pretty decent info on the particular lake. It will tell you what different speceis is stocked in the lake.
scolba
Posted 7/25/2008 9:52 PM (#328105 - in reply to #328102)
Subject: Re: forage species?




Posts: 122


Location: Bloomington, IL
Check with your DNR website. A lot of times, the lake will have been surveyed in the past, and should have a list of species found.

Also, you can probably make a general guess based on your region. For instance, suckers and ciscos are found this far north, but no further south than [this location]. South of [here] you can find threadfin shad, tenn shad, chubs, etc.

One thing of note, though, it might not matter ALL that much. I have been reviewing logs of my 'home' lake (however, i don't have the experience to back it up), and one of the most successful Suick's used was in Northern Pike color, and there isn't a single northern in the lake!

Edit: i should say that i do think color IS important, but matching forage, not as much...but im just a newbie, too. lol

Edited by scolba 7/25/2008 10:55 PM
Ifishskis
Posted 7/26/2008 5:09 PM (#328175 - in reply to #328102)
Subject: Re: forage species?





Posts: 395


Location: NW WI
I use lake maps, and my own common sense. Pretty much all lakes have perch in them, and muskys love to eat them. On large, deep, and clear lakes, the main forage is usually cisco and smelt.