Andy

That fish makes your Johnson look small. Nice catch!

Thx to all! That general info is perfect. The rest I will, or won't, figure out myself.

I have never fished this area and was thinking about trying it this weekend for musky. Is the river deep at the mouth? Is trolling the preferred route? Or do fellows jig? Cast? Can it be a productive time of year in this area? Any general info would be appreciated. Andy

Thanks to all for replies. It would appear that lake size and variety of habitat can come into play. Here is an interesting link from Minnesota. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/muskellunge/management.html Andy

I have no idea how they do it in the States, but the impression I have is that they have no problem putting money into "put and take" lakes, even lakes where the musky have no chance of natural reproduction. I'm sure they have criteria that helps select certain lakes, but I haven't looked into it enough to know what the criteria would be. Maybe I'll ask on an American board some rainy day.

No, not at all. Quite interesting actually. Maybe pike fall victim to cycles of one kind of another too.

So I have read that musky fishing in Kawartha's will suffer as pike make their way into the system, and that it is because of a competition for food, pike spawning a couple weeks earlier and feeding off the musky fry, and the muskies in the Kawartha's being a strain that are not genetcally used to sharing water with pike. (as opposed to the musky in Lake Nipissing, for example) Will the pike population explode at first and then level off in the Kawartha's? But how is it that a lake like Lake St. Clair isn't crawling with pike (or is it?), and the musky are thriving. To look at it, Lake St. clair should be perfect for pike, yet it is not a dominant species. Is it stocked with muskies on the American side? Is this what gives the muskies an edge? Or does it have more to do with lake depth and water temeratures? Lake Simcoe is another example of a lake where muskies were supposedly plentiful years ago, while co-existing with pike. Why were they able to flourish until overfishing and pollution decimated the population? Was this a different strain than what is in the Kawarha's now? It seems like there is a lot of musky stocking in many U.S states, and it seems to work down there. Or does it? Will the time come that this will be req'd to maintain a healthy musky population in the Kawartha's? I'm quite curious to see what happens to the stocking program in Simcoe. Just wondering. Andy

I would buy it if they used Asian carp.

Yes, I had the same issue. Kinda disappointing. Certain plastics were worse than others for bleeding, thinning. I had to throw some plastic sleeves out. I kept the binders, but put my plastics in plastic ziplock bags and then placed them in the binder's plastic envelopes. Didn't really notice a change on odour, but didn't really check for that. Likely the reason the binders were on sale when I bought them. Andy

"I wasn't going to say anything but what the hell." Me too. I just don't get it. How can you be upset with these guys? They are not the public, they are law enforcement personnel trying to do their jobs. Had they found some one (other than you) who was breaking the law, and they had laid a bunch of charges, people would be making comments about how great it was to see the MNR trying to make a difference. Why should they tell you how they got in the lake? It's none of your business. Were they rude and abusive? It doesn't sound like it. Why would the fact that they left in the dark in a heavy rain make you feel better? That makes no sense at all. Would you feel even better if they got stuck and had to spend a night in the bush? And better yet if they got in an accident and one of then got hurt? I'm tired of some people slamming law enforcement personnel. They are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Like i said, I just don't get it. Andy

"Plenty of big muskies in Nipissing Andy, they just don't come easy." Amen to that! It'll make that first one all the sweeter. "How were the water levels, still about normal ??" Water levels were still very good. I thought they are as high as I have seen in many years for this time of year. And I found the weed growth quite good, weeds very green and healthy. Water temps (surface) in the South Bay area ranged for 80 F the first day to 75 F after the blow day. Good luck at the other corner of the lake when you head up. I'm gonna tackle the South Bay area again next week. (once my wrists and hands have recovered from the last trip) Andy

Just came back from Nipissing Lodge on Nipissing. Awesome weather, one blow day that kept me in by the islands and away from the Gull rocks and the pickeral. Fished mainly pickeral and musky. Pickeral were fairly cooperative on minnows, quite a few boats by the shoals in the area of the Gull rocks the last night or two. A lot of fish in the slot, a couple over, couple under. Some nice bass there. Lots of small perch when using worms. Spent a lot of time casting and trolling for musky without seeing a single one. Started working the weeds from 5 to 12 feet in the flats in and around Hunters Bay and the South River with a few pike being caught, largest 29". Then worked the smaller islands and rock piles for musky, nothing. Trolled and casted around the islands and shoals like Beacon island, the red bouy, Musky Bay, negative results. Didn't see any other musky guys at all while I was there. Is there a reason for that? I'm sure they are there, maybe just not big numbers. I may just need more time to figure it out, I hope. Anyone else struggle for musky in that area? This is link for where I stayed. http://www.nipissing-lodge.com/ Andy

Here ya go. Cabela's site. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gary-Yamamoto-Senko-Kit/702682.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsenko%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D23%26y%3D13&Ntt=senko&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

"Amen" to what Lew and the others have said. I was fishing the area last week. Last day out I landed a personal best, fat and between 43 and 44 inches. It inhaled the bait, and as I reached into the net to grab the fish, it thrashed and tore open my thumb with a tooth. I began bleeding profusely. It clamped down on the bait and I needed my jaw spreaders, bolt cutters and long nosed pliers to get the hooks and cut off barbs out. The stupid part is that I keep gloves for landing musky on the boat! I just got complacent, and I paid for it. The fish would have been dead if I didn't have the right tools. The fish swan away with a little help, but I'll be nursing the wound for a couple weeks. Do not assume anything, and that includes that you won't catch a big fish. You just never know, and you want to be ready. Andy

I took the course in Clinton this past summer. I went to Lake St. Clair for the first time this summer and thought it would be a good idea to have a radio of some kind. I didn't get a stationary radio yet, just a handheld for now. Quite frankly, I seldom have it on, I use it more for the weather than anything else. I did find the course interesting. The radio is a wonderful tool if used properly.

Wow. I don't know where to start, so I won't. I'm out. Peace everyone. Andy

There are numerous problems mentioned in the previous posts, and they all have an impact of some kind. The nets are obviously a very significant part of the problem. But it's not the only issue. I've had friends tell me of fellows I know going up and completely ignoring the slot. Enforcement is minimal (not the COs fault) and they get away with it. I've heard of Americans going up to the French and returning home with coolers full of fish year after year. You can't tell me the lodge owner doesn't sometimes know this is happening. I work with a guy whose has fished for years and considers himself a sportsman. He was talking about bringing home a cooler of fish when he was on a trip with only a few guys. I mentioned how this was posible with poss'n limits. He said that he and his buddies were each allowed to catch and keep 6 fish for every day they were on the lake and so that's what they did, thus the cooler full of fish. I couldn't believe it! I told him that's not how it worked and he claimed ignorance. Funny how we don't talk about fishing anymore. The real issue to me is that no one wants to take responsibility being part of the solution. The guys ignoring the slot may say it's OK because the natives would net the fish anyway. The guys ignoring the limits would blame somebody/something else in an attempt to justify their own actions. I'm afraid it's human nature to justify your own actions because of someone elses behaviour. As far as solutions, I think it all starts with the individual fisherman deciding to do the right thing all the time. After that, I don't know. Just so many stakeholders with conflicting interests, and so political as well. Not encouraging. My 2 cents. Andy

I will have an opportunity to fish Mississauga Lake NE of Bobcaygeon in the coming week. I have never been and have a few general questions. Any idea what is available re; species? I assume both types of bass, and I've heard lake trout, but what about pike and/or musky? Am I correct in assuming it has the potential for pickeral on shoals, similar to the north end of Pigeon, Lovesick and Stony? My GPS doesn't have a map for it. Any idea of there if maps are available at nearby stores? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Andy

No, I haven't yet looked at the baits you mentioned. And I found a few of the articles on the site interesting as well.

I haven't made the jump to anything that big blade wise, although the St. Clair Hounds I talked about in an earlier post come close bladewise. Cowgirls create a lot of drag, and a lot of reels (and fisherman) can't handle cranking them for any length of time. Last time out I spoke to a couple good fellows from the States and they always troll with one. A very popular lure that some would put ahead of sliced bread, as far as being the greatest thing. I have a number of the smaller Double Showgirls and DC-8 Llungen Tale bucktails that look cool, but haven't caught me any fish yet. This is quite possibly due to me having more confidence in other lures and switching up pretty quick. I'd sell ya 3 of my double 8 baits for that money if you lived close to Stratford and wanted to try something similar but in a little smaller size. But I digress. A lot of people love 'em. Do a search on a couple U.S. musky forums for more opinions on these baits. Andy

I just received a St. Clair Hound musky bucktail in the mail. It's a Canadian made product from the south shores of Lake St. Clair. Now I might be a little premature in my praise of the product, but I must say I'm impressed without having even used it. The price was reasonable, and it was in my mailbox within days. It it a beautiful bucktail. I have had good success with Mepps bucktails in the past and they remain a favorite lure. I also have some double showgirls by Musky Mayhem. I have yet to get a fish on the Showgirls, and I must admit, part of the problem could be that I don't give them enough time in the water. But if the Hound works as good as it looks, I may sell the Showgirls to make room for more Hounds. I have a number of Double Showgirls, and I have yet to net a fish with any of them. So what I guess I'm saying is that if you believe buying Canadian helps us all, take a look at these lures. I am not affiliated with the company. I talked to the owner on the phone, and his service and attitude were great. I know Johnny Dadson makes a good lure as well, but I haven't purchased one of his lures, yet. Just something to think about if you're looking to add to your arsenal. (and who isn't) Andy http://web.mac.com/dogriver1/Dog_River_Lodge_Lure_Company/Welcome.html

I appreciate your response. "just looked at a map, guesstimated which locations would make sense to hold muskies and fished them hard" That statement makes perfect sense, but it's one thing to say it, and another to take the time and make the effort to follow through with it. A lot of us are too busy or impatient to put in the effort you do, and spend our time looking for the "hot" lure or blaming the weather, etc. You were rewarded for your efforts, congratulations, and thanks again. By the way, I have yet to catch a fish of any kind on a Believer or Swimm Whizz, and I have given it a far share of time in the water. Andy

Wow! Very impressive. Not looking for secrets, but I was wondering if you'd be willing to share any observations you have made about lures this past season. For example, did bigger lures take the bigger fish, or did you catch them on a variety of lure styles and sizes. I was on a Kawartha lake last weekend, and did well for me, but the biggest I caught was 38". My biggest lures are around 8". I have a bunch of 6" lures that I'm thinking about selling, I find myself wishing I had bigger lures. I guess what I'm asking is the age old question "Does size matter, or is it how you use it?" Andy

This is all you need to properly clean a fish. I'm pretty sure it's Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" pitching it, so it's gotta be a great product. You are welcome. Andy