Strange muskie encounter

[loon_days]

I had a strange muskie sighting while ice fishing this past week. I was crappie fishing in about 20 feet of water, when all of a sudden a 40ish inch muskie swam by about 6 inches under then ice. Then it came back, and must have swam by at least 6 times. I stuck a shinner down the hole, but he didnt seam the least interested in it. I guess I have never seen or heard of such a thing before.

[Fisher Dave]

Thats very common on any body of water with a musky population. Muskies and Northerns both will often cruise just below the ice in search of food.

I have had days at Harriet(in Minneapolis) where I had a few different muskies *patroling* under my house all day and into the evening... Kind of feels like getting circled by sharks.

Lake Calhoun its common for muskies to grab the transducer on peoples flashers. You will hear of stories onthe forum here, and at the lakes... if you are using 10" holes on your body of water.. I would recommend anchoring your flasher somehow.

[Matt Johnson]

Yep, those big muskies and pike are feeding on small dead panfish and baitfish that float to the surface below the ice. Some of the panfish we catch and release don't make it and float up below the ice. Those hungry muskies and pike will cruise literally inches below the ice and pick up an easy meal. Be careful if you put your hand down the hole (just kidding)

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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[guideman]

I always set up one of my tip-ups just below the ice when pike fishing. Some of the largest fish I have taken though the ice have been on the short line.

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[TomWehler]

Hey, hey, what's that you say?
Not no fish under that ice eh?

I seen plenty of them also just under that ice.
Crappie fish'en deep holes on Bald Eagle Last Friday, Look down, BIG sweet smile look'en me in the eye and wishing me a Happy Holidays.
Homer J & Barney seen her also.

I got the Mojo even down here when I don't even Need it?
LOL

Also cool to lay that dead stuff right on the bottom in a weed pocket or weed line.
If you know where the sand turns to muck, BINGO!
They go in there late in the season to spawn and dig up Frogs and look around for all the dead stuff.
Heck, Bonnie like to set one in 6 Feet just under the ice and another one in TWO feet of water in the sand...
We do real well.
Mid-city Pike'en?
TO fun.
Happy New Year you all!

Keep on Rock'en!

T.

www.muskytomsguideservcie.com

[Guest]

I've been fishing a rocky point, and on the inside edge of the weedline it is clear ice. Saw an absolute monster under the ice last week. It's always fun to see those big fish.

[Fish-n-Freak]

I spend a bunch of time on Tonka, fishing for them gills -- I have had some BIG pike and muskies show up, they sure can make the sunnies scatter in a hurry.

I spent a day drilling holes and jumping around a weed flat -- I would catch a couple fish from each hole, then look down on and see a big old head hanging out under me, so I would move again. Just couldn't get away from them.

Always fun to see them, just makes it hard to catch panfish!

[CANOPY SAM]

I've heard of pike actually peeking there heads up outta the water in an ice hole!