As some anglers know, river systems can offer some of the greatest multi-species fishing you will ever experience, especially Musky’s! This is all relevant to the stained, moving water that make them what they are. River systems usually offer not only a solid morning and evening bite, but great mid-day activity as well.
With the constant change in weather patterns and water levels, this season has been a challenge to stay on fish. Knock on wood, 90% of my customers have boated not only one, but numerous Musky’s on each trip this season. This goes to show how great the success ratio can be on Wisconsin’s River systems compared to many of our lakes. Many of the lakes in Wisconsin are very deep and clear, which limits many of the peak feeding windows to the first and last hour of light, as well as after dark. River systems lengthen feeding windows due to the current and stained water, and these fish are also less effected by fronts. This opens up opportunities for an all-day feeding frenzy! Fishing river systems can be a real challenge at times. I believe the biggest key to success is understanding how fish relate to current and how water level effects them as well. One rule of thumb; “when the water rise’s the fish rise (move shallower and become more aggressive), and when the water drops the fish drop (move deeper and feed less).
Beautiful River Musky
My approach to fishing for these fish is relatively simple most times. During the Spring and Summer months I cast a lot of bucktails, and the days that are really hot and humid I will always have one person throwing a topwater bait. This season the majority of fish boated have been on the Blue Fox Superbou; single and double blade baits. The “bell” below the blade allows this bait to make extra noise and vibration in the stained water. These baits also allow you to cover a lot of water in a short period of time. As water levels change frequently in rivers the fish are prone to moving so I use the “run and gun” approach, covering as much water as possible in a given time period. Putting all of this together allows you to make contact with more aggressive, and feeding fish. I don’t believe an angler can “make” a Musky bite, as I would rather keep my baits moving and come in contact with fish that are in a feeding mood.
As we move into the Fall season these fish will start migrating towards deeper water where they will soon make their Winter home. This is when they really put the feedbag on, and some of the biggest fish of the season are caught. At this time of year you want to keep moving to contact active fish, just not as fast as earlier in the season. One of the most productive techniques are pulling large Sucker minnows in conjunction with throwing larger Jerkbaits and Crankbaits. One of my favorites are the Storm Giant Flatsticks. In late Fall, the middle of the day can be the most productive, as an increase in water temperature can turn the fish on.
Nice Superbou Musky
If you haven’t had the opportunity to do any river Musky fishing I encourage you to try it, as well as the other species available!
If you have any questions or would like to hit the water visit: www.rasmussenoutdoors.com
Adam Rasmussen
They get NY’s biggest out of the Niagara and particularly the Saint Lawrence rivers > 55 pounds. Unfortunately they aren’t close enough for me to fish. Sure looks like you get some big ones, I fish for pike a world of difference to me 15 pounds is big.