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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | Here are the fall colors, snow here and there, cold water, and numb fingers.
This time of year I see all the pictures of healthy, fat fish coming in, but I myself, don't see too many. Where are they at?
I fish a weedy NW WI Lake. Not a huge musky population, but there are some pigs for sure. This weekend looks to be a bit warmer, so i'm wondering if I should just focus on water temps? Will they be in shallow bays or by inlets where the water is a bit warmer? Should I just look for remaining green weeds?
Are they still somewhat deep 10-15" or by primary/secondary dropoffs?
I will likely be trolling the shallow bays, but i'm not sure if i'm on the right track.
Should I look even deeper? 20"+ ? I pick up a few suckers once in a while, but no takers yet on this lake...
What works for you this time of year? any ideas?
Thanks
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Posts: 295
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | Whats the lakes water temp right now and what does it have for a forage base? Those are just a couple of need to knows. It all makes a difference.
Tim
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Posts: 1061
Location: Medford, WI | All depends on where their food is. Muskies could be following them out deeper or chasing them in the shallows. Typically, a safe bet for this time of year is fishing the breaks and the outer weed edges (deep weeds).
-Jake Bucki |
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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | Right now the water is at 48 degrees. The forage base is a melting pot. no ciscoes or tulibees for sure. I know the lake has lots of carp and redhorse, white bass, and all the standard gamefish and panfish. (walleye, largemouth, pike, crappie, bluegill etc.) |
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Posts: 639
Location: Hudson, WI | If you are talking about Wapogasset or Cedar, I would drag meat along the outside weed edges and throw HeliDawgs shallow, bulged just under the surface. You might want to think about Super Models or Suicks, too. If you aren't seeing fish, move a half a cast length out off the breaks. |
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Posts: 427
Location: Wausau | Seven Degrees Of Musky Location
By Bob Mehsikomer and Kyle Brickson
57: Fall
The benchmark water temperature of 57 degrees signifies entry to fall and coincides with the turnover period. Muskies have again begun to travel away from their summer home ranges. This marks the period when much of the available vegetation begins to die. Fish will again set up in transition areas. Sharp vertical points, shorelines and walls become prime candidates. This is the time multiple forage species begin to stage off breaklines. Although casting these areas can be effective, trolling now becomes a prime consideration. Active fish will primarily be at the mid-depth levels at 8 to 15 feet, although on days following turnover they can be at any depth. However, during warming trends fish again may move shallow.
This is the period when conservation of energy falls into second place as they endure the relocation process. Fish this period much like you would the spring period of the same temperatures. Forage is on the move, selecting their primary comfort zones, and muskies follow. Any warming patterns have produced some of my largest fish while casting surface lures on existing outside weedlines. Kyle, on the other hand, has reported many multi-fish days trolling. As long as the muskies are on the move, they are using energy and will be feeding, but they are not necessarily using defined, prime, spot-on-a-spot structures and you will have to cover water to find them.
47: Fall Trophy Hunting
When water temperatures plunge to 47 degrees, muskies are well-entrenched in the fall season. Fish are well-established in transition areas again utilizing vertical structure. They are now in the process of energy conservation and some of the larger females may even experience the beginning stages of egg production. Muskies are feeding and focusing on forage with high fat content, like suckers and ciscoes. Fish will most often be at their peak weight. Trolling these areas is now a primary consideration. Again fish may still respond during warming trends by moving shallow. Fish utilizing shallow structure and remaining vegetation make casting an effective option.
37: Break Out The Parka
Fish are now usually found in deep water in their established wintering zones. Once the water temp drops to 39 degrees the upper level of the water column sinks and as the surface of the water column continues to cool, fish will seek the warmer deeper layer. Deep trolling and casting becomes an effective tactic. Muskies will often relocate to areas previously void of fish and may use open water far removed from any defined structure. Trolling areas out and away from structure is an effective tactic during this late fall period. Locating baitfish that have often pulled away from structure is the key to success. |
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