Wondering if anyone has ever tried the river system below Sanford during the winter. I ran into a guy ice fishing on wixom a few weeks back and he was showing me pictures of fish he caught casting from shore. With the weird winter we have had it is still wide open. Any suggestions on what to throw? I am assuming the retrieve would be much slower as the water temp has to be right at 32 degrees. Would they not even bite with the water temp this cold?
You got the idea- stick with suspending baits (this is a must), especially gliders and mix in some smaller crankbaits. Go slow, use lots of pauses- and long pauses. Play the weather just like during summer. They won't be crushing at all times even under the best of conditions, the windows are shorter and less frequent. But when they do turn on, they hit just like a musky should.
Not to be a prick but this is not info that should be leaked to anglers who might be prone to harvest. Winter river fish are quite predictable in their locations, and they will pack into favorable spots at times. Let the masses think that muskies hibernate and are uncatchable during the winter.
"Duke" said:
Not to be a prick but this is not info that should be leaked to anglers who might be prone to harvest. Winter river fish are quite predictable in their locations, and they will pack into favorable spots at times. Let the masses think that muskies hibernate and are uncatchable during the winter.
Yeah, good point Duke. Especially over on that side of the state, in those waters. When I grow old and grey, I want to be just as wise as you. [smilie=biggrin.gif]
"copper44" said:
ok i figured this information is only seen by a select amount of members and wouldn't be available to lurkers…
Duke was referring to you sharing info with "other" people who aren't in the club or people who aren't into catch and release. (not saying you would) The whole titt. chain gets hit pretty hard by spears and catch and keep people….. Anything we can do to protect the fishery needs to be done.
"copper44" said:
See that surprises me, I didn't think people fished it that much. I feel like I hardly ever see anyone fishing up there.
The catch and keep are mostly non muskie fisherman. Accidental catches, and the locals who target them with bobbers and a bluegill under them, so when they catch one they puncture its belly and let it sink to the bottom.
And the dark house guys are on everylake in the chain every winter.
With the water being drawn down so low it makes it easier for them to access water they wouldn't normally get to.
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