Catching a musky requires you to find the right musky habitat. People have a false concept that a musky is everywhere in a waterway. Muskies have low population densities and use certain habitats. A musky needs 5-10 acres of water to thrive. In other words, a 2500-acre lake has about 250 to 500 adult muskies. You need to find where they like to call home so to speak.
Add in the old saying, 20% of the water holds 80% of the fish. So where do you start hunting for muskies? This is where everyone has an opinion. Yet, there are common factors all successful musky anglers use. These are the elements you need to become a successful musky angler. Employing good techniques increases the odds in your favor of catching the fish.
A musky in weeds, its color pattern helps to camouflage the fish
Basics of Musky Habitat
They take the best musky habitat for their needs. The musky is the apex predator once it reaches adulthood in the water it inhabits. People chasing a musky need to find places with a history of catches. This is more than only the waterway. A specific set of areas is what you are seeking. You will have to do some research to find the places.
Take time to speak to owners of mom-and-pop bait and tackle shops in the area. These people have local knowledge of the waterways. Read articles on the waterway pertaining to musky fishing. The articles are often written by guides or experienced musky anglers. They will leave clues in the article about the waterways. Check the state’s stocking schedule for musky. This will indicate if the water can sustain a healthy musky population.
If you are serious about musky fishing. Join Muskies inc, since they have a large group of knowledgeable musky fishermen. Once you get to know a few, they will help and maybe mark up a map to help.
Preferred Habitat
A map is a great tool to find the proper spots to fish. It helps eliminate the water without musky holding habitat. Muskies like to use areas with short stem grasses and rocky points. These types of covers offer ambush points for musky. Also, near the mouth of tributaries is a good place for many rivers. When water temperatures are in the preferable range.
A musky will move seeking its preferred water temps throughout the year. Temperature and food are two important factors to include with the habitat. The fish will suspend in water to find suitable temperatures. Muskies tend to be sensitive to temperature, especially high water temperatures. Avoid areas with water temperatures above 80 degrees. There may be fish in the area but catching them is often deadly to the fish.
The Musky Spawning Habitat
Muskies need specific conditions for spawning areas. Unlike pike, their eggs stick to vegetation, and musky’s eggs fall to the bottom. Places with silt or mud are not good places for musky spawning. Another common area poor for spawning is developed shorelines. The weeds and rocks are often removed from these areas for boating and other activities.
During the spawn, a musky is close to shore. Since the fish spawns in 3 to 4 feet of water. Places with undisturbed shorelines containing vegetation and sandy or gravel bottoms are ideal. These conditions keep the eggs in place and offer some protection. Waters lacking these features likely have little or no natural reproduction. The waterway will require stocking to maintain a good population.
The spawn occurs at around fifty degrees. At this time the fish will focus on reproduction. They likely will not strike. The knowledge of the spawning areas is important though. Prior to and after the spawn, the fish do feed. You need to find the transitional areas used before the spawn. This is when musky are dense in a small area.
The transitional spots are deeper holes or channels adjacent to the spawning grounds. The fish move into the areas a few weeks to a month prior to the spawn. Look for points, saddles, and other drop-off areas with rocks. The fish will use these areas waiting for stable spawning temperatures.
Musky Habitat After the Spawn
After spawning, musky leave the habitat. They will move slowly towards other areas. They tend to find areas with warmer water. Look for the areas with a lot of sunlight. Plus areas with a healthy population of small fish. After the spawn muskies do rest then go on a feeding binge. Look at areas below dams, boat launches, and weed edges and pockets. Shallow water is good this time of the year.
Once the spring fades into summer the fish will seek deeper water. Find areas with shallows close to a deep area. The musky is likely in somewhat shallow water at rest. When they feed things change. A musky will go into deeper water with larger prey. These fish prefer suckers, smelt, shad, and other fish in the size range.
An adult musky will not waste time chasing minnows. They do not seek walleye or other spiny finned fish. Unless the preferred forage is unavailable. Inexperienced anglers have the misconception bluegills and other panfish are good bait. Use lures or soft body fish for bait.
Improving your chance means finding where the soft body fish are located with good cover. Areas void of cover and food do not have active muskies. I catch muskies in places where drums, suckers, and other trash fish are caught. If the prey is present with rocky points, weeds lines, and temperature between 60 and 80 degrees. Musky will be there sometime during the day. Always look for the preferred habitat and food. Musky needs both in an area to survive.
Conclusions
Finding the food source and musky habitat is the key to catching a musky. Muskies take the best areas in any waterway with few exceptions. Finding the spots does not guarantee a catch but greatly improves your odds. Once you find a few areas with fish. Remember these spots since the fish will use the areas for years.