muskie compared to French River

So, just starting to get into Muskie fishing - I understand muskie difficult to catch on the French River but they are of good size. Not sure why I have the impression, but my understanding is that somewhat easier to catch a muskie in the kawartha's but likely much smaller.

Any truth to this?

Also, would Balsam or Pigeon Lake be the better bet for muskie?

Fished the upper French 4 times different times of the year . What you said is true its tough fishing for Muskie and you do see some BIG ones . My son and I saw the biggest Muskie we ever saw in over 25 years of chasing them on a follow right at the boat . You get some follows the hard part is getting them to eat . The Kawartha's are numbers lakes plenty of Muskies and they are more willing to eat . The French is loaded with bait fish sometimes your depth finder screen is dark with them . For a fish of a life time fish the French to have fun with Muskies fish the Kawartha's . Pm sent on either Balsam or Pigeon .

Hank knows! haha Just like him without the experience, Ive seen the biggest muskie thus far at a location on the French river. This thing was absolutely massive. ive seen high 40s in the kawarthas, and this tank looked like its very presence would make those kawartha muskies shiver... It came up to stare at my believer over 90 fow as it rolled and rattled in the waves. I looked at this thing and just thought, "JESUS MOTHER****** HOLY etc etc etc" all I could mutter was a quiet incomprehensible attempt to instruct my dad to "get the net ready" his reaction "why you have one on th... HOLY S***!!!" watched in devastation as it slowly sank away.

So yes, the French river as monsters. Kawartha has tons. the kawarthas do have some big fish, but lesser numbers simply because there isn't the right type of baitfish in large numbers which they grow fat on.

If you fish Balsam, youll probably get into a few invasive pike.

I've fished the French many times, and had good luck almost every time. The big thing - like anywhere - is knowing the water, particularly as you get closer to Georgian Bay. We've had days with both numbers (5-6 fish between two of us) and giants - my personal best below: 50", 41lbs

I think the lower end of the river is a better bet for a muskie trip - check out Bears Den Lodge for more info.

Another lower French giant...

Some nice skis there.

Nice.....

Nice.....

Tanks!

Those are some BEASTS!!!!

Wow! Nice muskies!

Beauty French muskies there, and some real size to boot!

When it comes to muskies, for numbers life is definitely easier spent fishing in the Kawartha's. Most if not all members here who have gone for walleye or bass in Zone 17 will tell you of their encounters with musky of lesser stature than those displayed above.

As for what baits to throw, bring some big inline bucktail spinners and some larger sized crankbaits with strong trebles swapped in and don't forget to tie on a leader to make sure you don't lose any fish you hook into.

While it is possible to land smaller musky like the one I caught on Monday pictured below on bass gear, it isn't something that should be done. Treat these fish with the respect their old age deserves, and don't forget to spend time reviving them to make sure they swim away under their own power. The fish below was very beaten up and took a good 5 minutes of reviving before it swam away, with me in the water with her making sure she remained upright. Based on the battle scars that she displayed, she's been around for at least 20 years if not longer.

Cheers, and have a great time.

You already have the impression and preconception in your mind so why ask ? Pretty cool lads put up pics of French system Muskies ,eh ? Where did Ken O'B riens record come from ?

Yup that system and next monster record will be in Georgian bay which is part of that too .

Cooks record on speckle trout has been released a few times Wish it was me . Nipigon and Superior Yes I have tried and continue to when I can .

Heard of a big ling going on record in Ontario and his first . Couldn't have happened to a nicer dumb luck guy ,eh ? lol

I'm going to travel and carp fish .I'm not BShittin ALL I see is power from these fish and might get lucky and squeal if I get lucky and put my name in record of Ontario .LOL Geez

TD

You already have the impression and preconception in your mind so why ask ? Pretty cool lads put up pics of French system Muskies ,eh ? Where did Ken O'B riens record come from ?

Yup that system and next monster record will be in Georgian bay which is part of that too .

Cooks record on speckle trout has been released a few times Wish it was me . Nipigon and Superior Yes I have tried and continue to when I can .

Heard of a big ling going on record in Ontario and his first . Couldn't have happened to a nicer dumb luck guy ,eh ? lol

I'm going to travel and carp fish .I'm not BShittin ALL I see is power from these fish and might get lucky and squeal if I get lucky and put my name in record of Ontario .LOL Geez

TD

Not to nitpick here, buuut...pretty sure Ken O'B you're referring to was in the Moon River basin - not French. So, if you mean that the Moon and French are the same system....well, they both drain into Georgian Bay but that's A LOT of water and means there are a whole heck of a lot of rivers that are part of "that system"

you're right awbringl, that system goes all the way to the Atlantic!
Seriously though, pretty much anything connected to the bay has the potential to grow a new record. It's a lot of water out there and there's only so many spots that see lures in a year.