80 degrees already

[FlyPiker]

Sad day yesterday. The only lake within 20 minutes of home already hit 80. I had to check both thermometers I have on the boat but sadly it was true. Looks like I need to start logging in some driving time. The worst part is the Friday before the 4th it was only at 68-70! If there's anyone willing to share some water temps in the North metro as far North Mille Lacs I would be very appreciative.

[CaptainMusky]

Mille lacs was around 70 last weekend

[jeffreyd]

my in laws pool was 102 last weekend just need some soap

[Nick Kuhn]

Probably still ok as the water below is still cooler and holds more oxygen. 80 will only be at peak hours.

[FlyPiker]

That crossed my mind too but my job requires me to be there at 4am, atleast for a few more weeks. I might have to plan out a few days where I treat it as overnight, sleep after work, go fishing about 8 or so and get home in time to shower and get to work. Probably not the the best brownie points winner with the wife though

[Esox_Magnum]

Been calm here all week with warm temps, surface temp was 77-78 this morn at 6 am before the wind came up. When I left at 11am the surface temp was down to 74 once the wind picked up and started mixing the lake.

[RumRiverRat]

Perfect Temps for Musky Fishing.

Start burning Double 13's!

[EHebes]

Probably still ok as the water below is still cooler and holds more oxygen. 80 will only be at peak hours.

Like the 82 degree's in the top couple feet on two metro lakes this weekend between 5am and 9am? Pretty sure it just gets warmer during the day...how do you revive a fish where the water is cooler?

[justinT]

Honestly, it finally gets to 70 right before the the 4th and I was already seeing 83 on tonka by Friday. This year just keeps on sucking. Throwing the bass gear back in the boat.

[JimBuck]

I had 78 in the morning on Sunday and it shot up to 83 by noon when I pulled the plug. Looks like I'll be focusing attention elsewhere until temps drop. What a weird Summer so far.

[FlyPiker]

sounds like there is some good news on the horizon. The high for the next few days is only up to 80 and as low as 55 at night. We just might be able to fish the west metro-area lakes again!

[Shoot2Kill]

Weekend temps up around 100 again this coming weekend. Aaaagh.

[RK]

Hiya -

What a weird year so far. From too cold to too hot in the blink of an eye. I found 78 degree water on the lake my cabin is on on Saturday, and I was shocked. It had been 72 4 days before...

Everyone has the right to make their own choices on this stuff, but personally, when I see water temps creeping up on 80, I'm done fishing muskies for a while. Even if it's just "surface temp" that's where most of the fight happens, and where fish are when they're being released. There's an inverse relationship between water temp and dissolved oxygen levels, and high water temps can really be tough on caught fish. I just won't risk it.

If you are going to fish when the water's warm (believe me, I get it if you choose to), there are some things you can do to minimize the handling time on fish:

- Use single hook lures as much as possible, like spinnerbaits, single hook bucktails, or bucktails with just one treble.

- Water release fish if at all possible. Don't pick them up, measure them in the water with a floating stick, and skip the photo session. A release photo looks good too.

- Really, REALLY consider barbless hooks. Cuts release time in half sometimes.

- Fish early mornings or on windy days when the surface layer is less likely to be stagnant and super-heated.

Like I said, I personally won't fish muskies when water temps are as high, and I'd encourage others to make the same choice. But if you do fish, be responsible about it and cut down the handling time to a bare minimum.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[PropsterII]

Glad you posted this Rob. We took a couple weeks off last year when it got so warm, and hated every minute of it. But in the end when it's likely to potentially do so much harm, what's foregoing some fishing now to ensure having fish to go after in the weeks, months, and years ahead. Already seen some floaters, and hate the thought of how many are going to succumb with this warm weather, even with good intentions.

[RK]

Sounds like we're in for a couple week long heat spell... Will likely really send water temps soaring. I know it cuts into a season that's already painfully short, but really consider leaving the muskies alone for a while until things cool off... Potential for really high delayed mortality if water temps get above 80 for any length of time...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Tragic_Mishap]

good call...i'm hitting up tonka one last time tonight before the heat wave kicks in and will be leaving them alone for a little while that's for sure.