In Hot Water

Due to the ridiculously high water temps in the metro I have had to postpone many guide trips. The water temps are high throughout the entire water column and it’s very hard on the muskies when they are caught.

I do not want to start a big water temps discussion here… they tend to get a little hairy on the ol’ internet. I have made the choice to steer my boat towards walleye and bass lately. Walleye are actually biting pretty good too…I am also taking the occasional trip up north to cooler water to chase muskies.

Anyhow, This has left a lot of open dates in the next few weeks if anybody is interested. I will offer discounted rates for walleye or bass trips. Also, this issue is causing September dates to vanish quickly. If anybody is interested in Sept or Oct, let me know quickly… Keep in mind that this is the best time of the musky season!

I don’t see how anyone could have anything but respect for your personal decision on how to run your trips. I know I think it is a class act and I know how hard it is to make a living as a fishing guide (10+ years full time). Good luck with the rest of the season and I hope we see a little break in the temps soon.

Respect X 10

X3…

YOU ARE DA MAN

Just curious, what do you consider ‘ridiculously high water temps’? I haven’t been out on a Metro lake in awhile so wondering what they are at.

….Thanks Guys.

I consider anything over 80 to be dangerous for muskies. When the surface temps first sky-rocket up I don’t believe it is as dangerous because the water just a couple feet down is considerably cooler and oxygen levels are still safe.

To directly answer your question, the surface temps were reading right around 80 to 81 last Friday. They had actually cooled down a bit. They had been all the way up to 84 – 85. Again, this water has blown around and mixed up quite a bit, so it is warm through and through. Also, because most of the fish that are taken under these conditions come from deep water, it is hard on them when you bring them up from so far down.

Again, this my opinion mixed with some cold hard facts. Not trying to tell people what to do… Just making them aware of what I am observing.

One more thing, If I have had to postpone your trip, I feel terrible and will do what ever I can to accomodate your schedule moving forward. I’ll work very hard to make sure you hook up with some nice fish!

Once these water temps start crashing… Muskies are gonna be chowing!!!

Ok, just curious. When you said ‘ridiculously’ I didn’t know if you meant the temps hit 90 or something. It looks like we are in store for some cooler days and nights so hopefully those temps start coming down.

Sounds like you are a true sportsman that is always thinking of our natural resources. Thank you!

FDR

Not that you posting on here looking for a pat on the back, but for a guide to make that type of decision is really putting the fish first
I haven’t chased muskies for 3 weeks myself due to the water temps…hopefully this will all set up for a good bite later in August.

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Due to the ridiculously high water temps in the metro I have had to postpone many guide trips. The water temps are high throughout the entire water column and it’s very hard on the muskies when they are caught.

I do not want to start a big water temps discussion here… they tend to get a little hairy on the ol’ internet. I have made the choice to steer my boat towards walleye and bass lately. Walleye are actually biting pretty good too…I am also taking the occasional trip up north to cooler water to chase muskies.

Anyhow, This has left a lot of open dates in the next few weeks if anybody is interested. I will offer discounted rates for walleye or bass trips. Also, this issue is causing September dates to vanish quickly. If anybody is interested in Sept or Oct, let me know quickly… Keep in mind that this is the best time of the musky season!

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May your guide trips be abundant and prosperous!!

Again, Thanks guys.

I continue to have pictures of floaters sent to my phone and I continue to see pictures on the internet. It’s really sad. You can debate what kills the fish (ie deep water, trolling, water temps alone, oxygen levels)… But the fact is, most people have given the muskies a rest. This means there is a small percentage of muskie anglers out right now and high number of dead fish… and yes, I realize fish can die with out being caught, but that is rarely the case in these conditions.

…and yes, when this water cools down,,, look out!

Hopefully that cool down happens soon! and hopefully I have my boat back by then…

On a side note the bass have been going.. deep shallow and everything inbetween… The deeper weed lines have given me the bigger fish.

Good to know Matt, Thanks. Think I am busting out the smallie gear this weekend! Should be fun…

OOO I love smallies!! Sounds like a good time.. What lake?

Rum River. Never tried it before. Should be fun.

Found some big largemouth this morning right where you said Matt! 19″ first cast of the morning… Jig n Pig was on fire!

We lost some degrees of water temp over here and its supposed to be 50 for a low tonight, betting we lose another degree or two. Had 78* on an 800 acre lake and 76* on an even smaller lake… No skies though today, one at the boat yesterday that grabbed the end tinsel on a twin ten missing the hooks.

Ryan, Good stuff on not fishing in all that hot water too!!! I hadn’t tried in three weeks.

Mark

Slow was a key for me yesterday so the jig and pig produced during the day.. Northern’s wanted the deep diving crank though

Thanks Ryan; great input. We need more guys like you spreading the word and doing the right thing. I hope it cools down soon so we can all get out..

These cooler nights are moving the water temps in the right direction… The last few mornings have been consistently below 80 degrees all the way up till noon. Another cool down is on the way too!

Hopefully that’ll get em snapping

This has been a interesting post,the water temps should drop after last nite as I had 38deg last nite here.
Stan

I’ve been reading 78 degree water temps, so they should start snapping

…They absolutely were! Last week we had a 9 fish day, and a couple of 3 fish days. It was pretty awesome. I did a write up on it in the reports section… Today is gonna help the water temps too if the sun stays away most of the day…

I had been hearing that water temps were below 80* as of late last week up here. I finally got a chance to get back on the water Friday night and we fished in 72* water temps. Had two rips on rubber on the edges, and my partner said he has been seeing fish starting to move shallower.

Mark

I can hardly contain my excitement

Most the serious Musky fishermen that I know have quit fishing the metro and went looking for cooler water, always good then a guide does that too…atta boy in your direction.

60 this morning, gotta help, but it’s going to be a bit before the water temps cool.
I’m planning on Sept anyway.

Al

I had 78 on the Croix (Hudson) last night.