Finally a decent outcome, but what was that?

I went to Balsam today, the only good day of the long weekend, supposedly. Anyway, a bit cool at 7 am, and lots of fog. As I was leaving the boat launch, I saw what I thought was a branch in the water. I thought I'll pick it up so no one wrecks their boat with the fog. As I got closer, I noticed it was moving, and I am pretty sure it was a muskie with its head out of the water, swimming like a snake or turtle. However, the head was massive, so if it was a turtle, it would have been over four foot across the back. I quickly grabbed a rod and threw a top water near it. No luck, as soon as I got too close it went down. Still cool to see. I have seen quite a few muskies at the boat launch having breakfast on the bluegills there. Can anyone confirm that they can swim this way, seemed pretty weird to me.

As for fishing, I got a decent smallmouth, a small walleye, quite a few massive bluegills and plenty of other baitfish. They were hitting everything, spybaits, spoons, worm harnesses, Only kept the bass for dinner. A beautiful day on the water, not too many yahoos today, but consistent action. I am happy with the small fry, just to be keep it entertaining. The fishing is about to get good. Get on out there everybody. Not much time left till the first frost.

I have never seen this type of behaviour in person, but have heard of it before. I have also seen pics of this first hand from people I know. Very odd. However I think it is more commen then we realize and it is a behaviour that can be explained. Would love to hear opinions on this.

I have seen muskie skim June bugs off the water just once...swimming just like a snake. A family member told me he has seen this for 40 years from time to time. He has been fishing balsam forever.

I've seen a carp do this before that seemed to be ill or dying. It would swim along the top like that and when u got close it would go down but resurface a short while later as if its ladderal line was all out of whack. Maybe it was something like that?

As soon as I read your account of the Muskie swimming that way it triggered a memory from probably 30 years ago. I remember it was a very large Muskie swimming in the shallows with it's head out of the water. I had never seen the behaviour at the time and have not seen it since. Of course like your self I was frantically trying to get it to hit a plug I was throwing.
I think it was Pigeon lake but definitely Kawarthas. Could be a regional behaviour based on a food source?

MC

Iv'e seen it multiple times on georgian bay...glass calm mornings...you think there's a log in front of you and when you get close it flicks its tail and disappears...its quite common i think...probably see it a few times a season but only on calm days.

I've seen this behaviour several times during my lifetime of cottaging on Lower Buckhorn. I've heard it may have something to do with digestion, though I haven't any proof to back that claim up.

Last year was the most recent sighting for me - was fishing a mid lake hump (targeting muskie) and had one swim right alongside the boat, almost like he was getting an up close look at the fool that was trying to trick him into biting (and laughing at me in the process)

The Ottawa River Musky Factory has a YouTube clip that talks in part about musky porposing.

I have seen it on Sparrow Lake years ago and on Georgian Bay.....both times early morning and fog on the water, and yes Nickfishy....glass calm water.

Arnie

Nice fishing report and interesting observation!

I 've seen muskies swimming on surface too.It maybe a way for them to absorb a sunlight, but I am not sure.