Nov. 11-13...too late?

[g man46]

Historically speaking, is a three day muskie trip on those dates going to be unlikely?

[leechlake]

my buddies always do a little musky fishing that last weekend of deer hunting on Leech (12-13th). I can't remember it ever being a problem, could be a bit of skim ice by landing but I'd bet you'd be perfect.

[united jigsticker]

I recall walking out on the 11th one year and slaying some night Crappies on 3" of ice....

Yeah...NOVEMBER 11th.

Highly unlikley though.

[dr1818]

this is not exaggeration -

first weekend of deer hunting in mid 90's (maybe 1994?) there was 6 inches of ice on smaller lakes. my crazy cousin drove his ford ranger out. im sure of it. i saw it with my own eyes and he still lives to tell it. we havent had a cold fall in a decade. but it used to be walking ice by second week of deer hunting almost every year.

[g man46]

Well, I hope the weather holds out. I love to ice fish, but have been trying to do a late fall muskie trip forever, and that's the only weekend this year that'll work. I remember two years ago the opener of hunting was 17 below where we hunt, but two years before that, it was seventy and we showered outside. I guess we'll have to play it by ear. If nothing else at least I can go hunting.

Aside from the weather, does anyone have suggestions as to how and where to fish them? I think we'll stay around Leech, but might get to Cass. I have ideas, but those are usually thrown out the window a few hours into the first day, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Big Ick]

G-man, maybe you should just watch me and I'll show you how it's done! You may have beat me in numbers last time, but I did get the biggest that week!

I've got an 'eye gameplan for that weekend, but like you said, those are usually thrown out the window after the first few hours. We'll have to play it by ear.

Still taking 2 boats? Who's going? I bet it ends up being just you and I.

[leechlake]

gman, end of October we do a lot of fishing in Walker Bay, one guy casts into shore one casts a crankbait out into deeper water. Templar Point, first point, second point, also the cabbage beds in the areas. It seems even though it seems natural to want to cast in the number of follows is about equal either way. I'd go with black, white in bucktails and something that looks like whitefish in cranks and jerkbaits. Nothing like casting in the snow, makes you feel like a real fisherman. It snowed for a while in Walker last weekend. Good luck.

[g man46]

Big, you never know until we are leaving for the trip who all will go. What day can you leave anyway? Clinicals are done at 2:00 on Wednesday, I can leave any time after that.

LeechLake, thanks for the help. I had always heard you have to troll in the fall. Have you tried that? I'd rather cast, so if that works it'd be great. What kind of depths are you looking for these fish in at this time of year. Are they real deep and coming up to the lures, or are they hanging out in the shallows in the reeds, cabbage, etc...

[leechlake]

gman, since the white fish are spawning my thoughts are the musky's go in to chow and then go suspend off of the drop off in let's say 20-30 feet. That's why casting out works well, you'd be casting in for the active fish and casting out for the neutral fish. Trolling, I don't like it either and I can't remember the last time I caught a musky trolling. It may be the most efficient way to catch fish but it's hard to see a follow trolling! I know guys that only troll Lake of the Woods in the fall and they bang em good though. Love to hear how you do.

[g man46]

Leech,

Thanks again for all the help. I'm done with school this week at 1:00 tomorrow, then it's all about the muskies. Do you happen to know if the whitefish are spawning or a general water temp? Hopefully, if all goes well, I can come on the forum on Monday and finally put to rest this dang world record muskie controversy. LOL