Lake 26 muskies?

[McCracken]

Just wondering how lake 26 is for muskies? I heard its a pretty small lake.

[Nick Kuhn]

It is small. There's one giant sand bar otherwise you would pretty much fish the shoreline. Water is pretty clear so it might be tough during the day. I've only fished it once and we caught one little dink of a muskie.

[Mike Wallace]

In-laws have a place on the lake. I just got back from there today. In about 6 hours of fishing at prime times (evening) over the last 4 days, I had one follow, one miss a Havana Jack, and one on for about 3 seconds on a mepps (buddy thought it was in the weeds again).

WI DNR puts the legal muskie quantity at about 32 (I think that's what the last survey said), or just over 1 per acre (230 acres). It was supposed to be on the DNR's list of 10 lakes that were going to study the WI strain vs. Leech Lake strain, but they had rearing pond problems so I don't know where they are with that.

Like Nick said, very clear lake. I have ONLY had success during low light periods (morning, evening, overcast/rain). I can't even get them to the 8 most times.

Boat landing is terribly shallow.

Hope this helps.

[McCracken]

Thanks for the info. Have you ever fished for them at night at all? Was also wondering if you know of any muskie lakes that have darker water in the area?

[DonBo]

Yellow Lake is pretty stained and typically has a good daytime bite.

[Mike Wallace]

I have fished it after it got dark, but haven't spent much time at night. It's on my list of things to try. I don't see too many folks out fishing it at night however.

DonBo is on Yellow Lake that has a bigger population and a better daytime bite. There's a guy who works in the tackle shop at the Log Cabin Store in Danbury that does a lot of muskie fishing. I'm sure he can give you ideas as well. The St. Croix is also right there as well. Could be an option. I've wanted to try it, too.

Good luck wherever you go.

[DonBo]

The St. Croix is really high and fast right now, probably making for a tough bite. Maybe dangerous too.

[McCracken]

Thanks again... Sounds like I have some options, and hopefully enough time to maybe give them both a shot.

[Mike Wallace]

Fished 26 today for about 4 hours and only two small, slow and low follows. Both came from the weeds in about 10 FOW.

Saw one boat out trolling laps in the middle of the bowl, I guess looking for the baitfish.

Surface water temps started at about 60 and were 64 around noon.