Muskie opener on Minnetonka

[CALVINIST]

How did everyone do on muskie opening day? I made it out for about 2.5 hours early sat. morning. I had 3 follows (one BIG girl that was upper 40's easy) and a 27" pike. All follows were on bucktails. Then I went to the St. Croix by Harris with my brother Mitch, where I did pretty good on smallies; one each 15" 16" 17" and 18", and some smaller ones as well. I smoked my brother, which is what he usually does to me! All in all a fun day .

[buzzsaw]

I landed one on a chartruese buzzbait on my honeyhole that always produces something. Other than that it was a slow morning and got to be very wet ... This fish had been through other battles, it was very nicked up! I got off the lake around 12:30

[muskieboy46]

I went out sunday afternoon from 2-7. Had 7 follows but 4 were under 30 inches. also had two hits and a pike.

got wet and blown around but at least i wasnt sunk by all the party boats.

[Tonka Boy]

Nice fish Mike! I can't wait to get out there and chuck some wood myself.

[markkstanley]

Hmmmm that background looks very familiar The fish might still have been beat up from spawning. Nice to catch one. I didn't get out to chase skies around. Family in town and took the little guys out for panfish.

[Gus]

I feel stupid asking this question, but I have read people talking about muskies being beat up from the spawn at a couple of places.. so What do muskies do to themselves that they get so beat up spawning?

[Duffman]

Buzzsaw....

I caught some pike after opener that had the same type of damage on them. They looked like open sores, after the first one was caught, I thought it looked like a lamprey had took a big gouge out of it. Four of the five pike I caught had these types of open sores on them. I was thinking that it was some sort of fish disease, anybody else see some pike or muskies this year with similar damage in the metro area????

[John Mickish]

I got a 16" Small mouth the other night on WBL that had the same type of open sore. About the size of a quater. The other side of the fish looked like it had been through a lawn mower. Had a bunch of scales missing no particular order. Goofy.

[buzzsaw]

I didn't realize they got THAT beat up when spawning! WOW!! mark & matt, e-mail me at home and tell me where you think I am and I'll tell you for certain... It ALWAYS produces!!! not always muskies but something decent.

[markkstanley]

Buzz I know exactly where you were. I've caught a 48" and 47" in that area and some nice walleyes too. The spot is on my milk run. As for spawning fish tend to use their heads and mouths to chase away rivals and in the actual spawning (look ma no hands!) You should see how messed up sharks can get. If bluegills had teeth the little males would just be shredded.

[TBone1]

Buzz- I also fish that area frequently, fished that area tonite and east of there had 4 follows no hookups though.The owner of one of the homes in the background of your photo got me started Ski fishin by giving me some of his gear. If I would have only known what I was getting into

[Jig4aPig]

My friend and I got out last night and had three follows. He landed one that went 44 inches. The fish hit a black suick. We were lucky to land it because the fish was hooked in the eye ball. I am new to the whole muskie fishing thing, but it has been great so far and I am finally starting to get a little milk run together on tonka.