So hows has fishing been?

[Jim Hudson]

Havent heard a lot of talk about people out hitting the water in search of some big fall muskies... Anyone having any decent luck lately? Or are the fish in a funk for ya?

This past week, I took two days and fished hard. Seen a total of four fish where a friend boated one of them. Not the biggest fish, but it was still nice to put one in the boat for our efforts. Seemed like the fish were really off for us. Temps were in the mid 50's with high pressure throughout our fishing. We looked and tried just about everything, we seen these four fish holding in one general area of the lake we were fishing and could only get the one to commit. Jerkbaits moved the three lookers and a J-Mac put the one fish into the boat where we tried coming back to the followers and didn't see em again.

[minnesotamusky]

we spent last friday and saturday on vermilion. didn't even see a fish. then we went down to baby lake and my brother caught a 39". caught it on a giant jackpot right by a dock in about three feet of water. hoping to get out next weekend again.

[Dan Thiem]

Jim, we have been doing alright with numbers just not very big. So far a 41"er is the biggest. Check out the Rochester forum. There is a couple of threads that show how we been doing.

They sure are a fun fish to catch and release. Especially when you see one come up from the deep and inhale the lure. What a rush. I saw one come straight up and nail the bait. Mouth opened and I could see everything. Crazy!

[The Grebe]

Liar!

[rascalP]

Got 2 in the last 2 weeks -- 44" and last week, a fat 47". Both, real shallow. The 47 came after 5 hours of seeing nothing but a small boil. Had thought of throwing in the towel a few times. I was fishing just for the sake of fishing -- nice day. Then I got a following fish and instead of just being a follow, it bit -- 1 hook on the rear treble and I was lucky enough to get it in the net. My biggest so far.

[Jim Hudson]

Sounds like a nice fish rascal!!! Congrats!!

[Lals]

The fish that I have seen and caught over the last month have been shallow. I been fishing WBL over the last month. We (friends and I) have boated 5 fish in the 40-46" range in the last month with it being slower the last couple of weeks. Haven's seen any "tankers". Since the water temps have hit 55 degrees it has slowed down for us. I caught a dink yesterday and we raised a couple of good ones shallow again -- water temp was 51 degrees. We fished some deeper areas but didn't raise anything. I think that turnover is finished and the fish are everywhere. I am sure they are deep as well but the ones that are shallow tend to be more active.

A couple of weekends left and the "boss" says the boat goes in storage. It is going to be a long winter!

[Random guy]

Hit the bear yesterday and seen alot of fish everywhere...I think they might be a little "turned over" water temps seem to come in at 50-52 degrees with no suspended bait pods in the deeper stuff, scattered bait but no schooling or tight groups. Classic turn stuff.

I left the lake a little fustrated, seen fish and had solid follows but couldn't get a snap out of em'. They put on that little open the mouth, close the mouth, open the mouth, close the mouth show yesterday. It will drive you nuts!

[Jim Hudson]

I hear you on that one Jon!!! But from what I gathered, fishing has been as such, almost everywhere. From the people I have talked to.

I heard another big Mille Lacs beast was caught a few days ago. Another 53" that had some weight on her. Curious to see if any pics surface.

[Random guy]

Did a good seven hours on a metro lake today. Good follows and three strikes and misses on walk the dog baits. Fish are definetly moving, I just can't seem to put down the topwater baits and go with something that has a better hooking percentage. Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[RuKiddingMe]

Put 5 hours in on a Metro lake this afternoon and left with nothing to show for it, not even so much as a follow. Threw everything in my box.

RU

[Lals]

Put in 3.5 hours on Sunday mid day -- perfect afternoon for Muskies. Or so I thought and couldn't get anything going. Not even a follow.

John, did I meet you on Saturday at the Bear launch? I had the black PRO-V at around 10:45. You were leaving to do some business?

[Random guy]

Quote:

---

John, did I meet you on Saturday at the Bear launch? I had the black PRO-V at around 10:45. You were leaving to do some business?

---

Yep sure did. Welcome to Fishing Minnesota Lals!

I noticed yesterday the fish turned off towards afternoon. So it didn't bother me as much that I missed Sat. afternoon.