One week window???

[Scoot]

Ok fellas, if you were given a one week window to fish for muskies for the year, when would it be? Related to this, what factors do you use to determine when to fish for 'em?
Scoot

[David Swenson]

This depends on if you want to cast or troll? If I were casting I would look for the week of the full moon in July. If the full moon were the first week in July I would choose the new moon in July. In Minnesota and Canada the water temp can still be pretty cool and weather unstable 1st week in July. I think both the moon phase and water temp play a big role in catching big fish.

For the fall I would choose October, again using the moon to dictate the week I fish. Water temp also plays a big role with the difference that I am looking for the lake to get colder, not warmer.

It is better to error later in these months than earlier. If the waters to cold in July the fish will not be as active. If the water is to warm in the fall the fish will not be up on the rock piles looking for baitfish.

Both months I chose have to do with feeding. In July as the water temp peaks fish become the most active. They are very willing to eat due to an increase in metabolism. Not uncommon during this period to catch multiple fish and have lots of follows. In the fall, the muskies primary forage (whitefish, Cisco’s, & tullibees) are spawning on the reefs. Were the food goes, they go. The fall concentrates big fish to these spawning areas.

Good luck and get a big one!

David Swenson
http://muskieguide.homestead.com

[Scoot]

What kind of water temps are you looking for the water to get up to in July for the bite to get good? Also, what type of temp are you looking for the water to get down to in the fall?
Scoot

[CMWINTER]

I think it has more to do with the weather then the date.

[David Swenson]

Scoot,

Sorry it took a while to get back to your question. I am looking for surface temps around 70 degrees or above in the summer and below 50 degrees in the fall.

David Swenson
http://muskieguide.homestead.com