In southern systems, however, muskies stay in creeks all year. "These river muskies migrate, sometimes much farther than muskies that dwell in lakes and reservoirs." He studies muskie populations on the South and North branches of the Flambeau, and the East and West forks of the Chippewa River. "Muskies over 42 inches are pretty common in the South Branch of the Flambeau," says Skip Sommerfeldt, fishery biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In some systems, they don't arrive in those smaller environments until mid- to late summer. ![]() They enter smaller streams after spawning, or when suckers run, or when shad run - in other words, at specific times of the year. ![]() In northern waters, muskies tend to grow big in larger rivers, and reservoirs. Last fall, an angler popped a €¨56-incher not far from my house.Įven smaller streams like the Big Fork in Minnesota, the Paint in Michigan, the South Fork of the Flambeau in Wisconsin, the Grasse River in New York, and many creeks in Pennsylvania are barely navigable yet produce muskies over 50 inches every year. During extremely low water, we ride the current in drift boats, canoes, or kayaks, disembarking to wade and cast. I live on the Upper Mississippi in Minnesota, best negotiated by jet boat most of the year. Some believe creek muskies can't attain maximum size in small rivers. This is about stalking velociraptors with fins in tight corners. Sounds like trout fishing, but it's not even close. You approach slowly, cast carefully, retrieve with rod held low. ![]() A bend where current digs a pool can be prime. Any spot where you can't see bottom is suspect. Carefully keeping brush and leaves between yourself and the stream, you read the water.
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