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| As water temperatures keep declining, mid 40's here in central WI and MN. I hear of guys catching skies in 5 ft of water and less all the way to ice up. Just wondering how people have done fishing skies shallow until ice up. I personally have fished more deep edges with good success, but haven't had much luck shallow. Any tips for shallow fishing? |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | On the lakes I fish, Muskies can be anywhere right now. Last week we found and caught fish in 5 ft (inside edge) to 15 ft (outside edge). Last night we found them in 18 ft (off the edge) to 35 ft (open water) hanging out with the suspended crappies.
At this time of year I usually check the shorelines and shallow rocks first, then the inside weedline, then work out to the edges, and then, if we still haven't seen fish, look for schools of baitfish in open water. I try not to spend to much time in any one type of structure until we find the fish.
I think the best thing is to be versatile right now. Don't spend to much time on any one type of structure until you find the fish. And be prepared to try different lures. Last week spinner baits ruled, but this week it was 8 inch plastics that interested the fish. Every day can be different and the fish can move by the hour too. On the edge in the morning, in shallow in the afternoon, and in the deep holes near dark - or just the opposite.
Wish I knew why...
Hope this helps.
Edited by Herb_b 10/20/2009 12:38 PM
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Posts: 596
Location: WI | I had good luck in shallow yesterday in 48 degree water. Found some green weeds in large flats of dead, brown milfoil. I actually hooked into the same fish I caught that morning again in the afternoon about 50 yards from where I caught it. Wish I would have got it into the net to verify but it looked like the same size and had markings on the outside of the jaw in the exact spot I hooked the one earlier. |
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Posts: 582
| i catch them all year long in the shallow. 3 weeks ago i landed a 41" in about 2' of water, mid afternoon. i think i depends on the lake structure. This fish was relating to the weeks which are almost non-existent in this particular lake. |
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| I'd echo a great deal of what Herb_b stated.
Morning--edges anywhere and deep weeds in clear water.
Afternoon--when that water ratchets up those two-three degrees, feel confident moving into the shallows--I'd even drag suckers in 3-5 feet of water. Keep them a ways behind you and very shallow. |
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