What to fish when

[Kestrel]

Hello everyone. I have a general fishing question. Since I don't have much time to fish, but really like to fish, I want to make the most of my time. I'm trying to figure out which month is best for which fish. For instance, if you could only fish once each month, which fish would you fish for in January, which fish would you fish for in February, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

[M.T. Bucket]

Kinda depends on where you live.

[river rat316]

Smallies every month, all year long!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bigfife]

For Minnesota lakes and the free time that I have in the different seasons, I would say:

Walleyes: May/June

Panfish: January

Bass: July

[Kestrel]

I bet with the Mississippi close by you could almost go 12 months for smallies! It's fun to see your passion.

[Kestrel]

I live in Brainerd, But I'd be willing to go anywhere in the state if I thought I had a good shot at some fish. I realize right here is a good place to be, just not sure how to attack the whole fishing calendar.

[freighttrain50]

welcome to FM, good to see you love to fish, a few others on this site like it too, so i've heard. i tend to fish year round for everything except when the season is closed of course. its fun to mix it up now and then. i also tend to lean towards what's biting, and if there's a new lake i want to try and what fish are good targets in that lake. a bunch of different variables but overall i mix and match depending what i have an itch for.

[Kestrel]

Thanks for your input. Do you ever chase Muskie?

[freighttrain50]

after feb-walleye opener i like to fish craps. then i turn to walleye at the opener, also like to hit craps in the spring and early summer. in the middle of the summer i will be focusing on northerns, muskiesa few walleyes and maybe sunnies if i find a few biggies. later towards fall i'll keep on fishing pike, skies, and walleyes, maybe craps if i can find them. early ice i like walleyes and craps. middle ice i like walleyes and craps and late ice i'll focus primarily on craps. i guess its personal preference. well i hope this helps somewhat, as you can see i mix it up, its fun to mix and match.

[freighttrain50]

i will be focusing on muskies all summer i think because i got a whole mess of new muskie stuff: rod, reel, net, lures, odds and ends, the whole works.