Spring Muskie Fishing – Spring is time for many great things … for crazies of freshwater fishing the most important of these – is muskie season opening. Time to fish for big toothy critters in open water – fun times are here again! “Spring” is a relative term with respect to latitude, but in the more traditional muskie range of the northern U.S. in the Midwest – to east – and to Canada directly north about midway up in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, this means anywhere from late May to late June. Where these traditional fisheries have always relied (and most still do) on natural reproduction to keep the fisheries going – muskies are protected from intentional angling pressure until after it’s known the fish have finished spawning – before the season opens.

Summer Muskie Fishing – One of the most common questions I receive about muskie fishing is “what’s your favorite season”. When I reply summer, questioners are usually surprised, and some comment that they expected it to be fall. Late fall has the reputation for being trophy time. Images of large female muskies with blood in their eyes and fresh flesh in their teeth – on feeding rampages to fatten-up and nourish growing eggs prior to ice going on – are on the minds of many as they ponder their muskie season. It has long been touted as trophy time for muskies, and overall, that part remains true. The reason it isn’t my favorite season (besides the reality that I’m not all that fond of freezing temperatures), is simply that the fish are not moving as fast and that overall feeding windows are far shorter. While a great period, overall not as exciting – to me the more-of and the faster-moving the muskies – the better.

Fall Muskie Fishing – Muskies are truly different critters as fish go. No doubt about it! Those of us who fish for them are different critters as well; willing to put forth seemingly endless expenditure on tools of the trade, and endless hours in anguished expectancy of “The Next Bite” … and yet, we continue. Those long in the chase of these fish know: just when you think you’ve got the system to “consistency” figured out, these miserable fish will throw you a curve. They seem to disappear, shattering your ego and keeping you up at night, pondering their disappearance.