Muskies on the Chain of Lakes

[Captain Ken]

Fox Valley Muskies Inc Chapter held its Challunge on the Chain tournament yesterday, April 26, 2003. 90 boats registered, 180 anglers, 9 hours of fishing time, 15 muskies over 30 inches recorded and released (this translates into about 100 angling hours per fish . Two boats had a double. First prize winners received $3000. The tournament was very well organized by the Chapter. Weather was great, especially compared to last year.
Captain Ken and his tournament partner Chris Kessler (13 yrs old) saw fish but did not get any hook ups. Most unique team - Guy from Fat Man (?) salmon charters and his boat partner fly fished for 'skies.

The fish were generally in a negative to neutral mood. Water is still quite chilly for them. Most were caught casting but reports of a few caught trolling. Not really sure how reliable second hand information is, so I can only tell you what Chris and I saw which was as follows:

The water was 48-49 degreees when we started out. By afternoon when there was nice sun, it rose about 3- 4 degrees. We saw the most fish when we were fishing in fairly shallow water 4-7 feet in clear water in the part of the lake where the wind was blowing into. Smaller baits is the key right now. Be acautious of your retrieve --- may need to go a little slower rather than faster. I sw people fishing in Channel, Catherine, Marie Bluff, Petite, Fox and the channel between Bluff and Petite from Smith's toward Petite.

The most encouraging part of the day is just how many muskies we saw, even though most of them were neutral--- they've got to eat sometime!!

See you on the water...

Ken

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Captain Ken Kessler
www.captainken.com
Guiding in Illinois and North East Minnesota
847-970-9108 Illinois
218-742-4680 Minnesota