How to Catch Muskie
Fishing for muskellunge-or muskie, as they are called-is a fun and challenging experience. Muskies are among the fastest-swimming freshwater fish. Whether you're luring them to the top or baiting them in lower depths, catching a muskie can be tough. But if you have the right equipment, patience and even some blind luck, you can catch a muskie or two.
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Instructions
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Go muskie fishing between mid-July and mid-September. The best time to go out on the water is between sunrise and about 1 to 1 1/2 hours after sunrise or an hour before sunset. Muskie populates fresh-water lakes throughout the United States and Canada.
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Troll at slow speeds. You will have more success catching muskie if you are moving at a slower speed than if you are moving along at 15 miles per hour.
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Play fishing lines out at least 70 yards from your boat. Muskie are sensitive to the sound of the boat's engine, and you can wind up scaring them off if you keep your line close to the boat.
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Use proper lures for catching muskie. The best are medium-sized crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Crankbaits go deepest, while jerkbaits are best for shallower waters. Topwaters are great at luring muskies to the surface from depths up to 15 feet.
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Fish for muskie with at least a medium rod and reel, as some muskie can grow up to 50 lbs. Use a thinner line to reduce the visibility of the line to the muskie. If the line is visible, the muskie may not go after your lure.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply fish scent to lures before using them. Muskie are sensitive to human smell.
Enhance the fish scent on your lures by adding salt.
If using live bait to catch muskies, live suckers are suggested.
Simply casting and waiting for a muskie to bite is another method, but not always recommended. Some people call muskie the "fish of ten thousand casts."
Muskie go to shallow waters to feed in early spring; this is another good time of year to catch muskie.
