Muskie opener coming Saturday

Who’s going?
What does everyone consider the best lake. Pigeon, Buckhorn, Balsam?
Not necessarily in that order

Well, Balsam and Sturgeon. If the weather stays to forecast, Saturday will be good. Low winds, chance of a shower. Hopefully the wind dials down for Sunday. Muskie will be in 10 feet of water, a bit more shallow than normal for this year on opening day. Mirror the weed line, don't look for the muskie to be hiding in the new weeds. Weeds are not where they should be yet, as far as thickness goes. The big fish will be cruising and moving even more shallow into the evening. Try and keep the boats in 12 feet of water casting into the ten feet, beside the boat. If you like to troll the shoreline stay at 10 feet, and troll a bit slower than last year in June. My rule for muskie is always fish a bit deeper than I fish for walleye. Same areas as walleye, same depths as the day passes. Always deeper to more shallow following the sun as it sets. Good luck on Saturday, and cross your fingers for Sunday.

Ill be out. Normally participate in the Kawartha Musky tournament, but decided this year to give the Trent river a shot for a chance at a tiger.

Will be up on Sturgeon in the week.

Best of luck.

I have always seen numbers and size come out of Pigeon. However, Stoney has the potential I think for the largest in the Kawarthas. I am likely biased as it is my home lake but Stoney gets very deep and has a lot of food for the big fish. I have personally seen fish over 50" but my biggest caught is 42". That said I don't chase muskie like I used to.

MC

I've spent sooooo much time on Stoney looking for a big girl.

No luck yet. 42" is also my biggest.

Update - the river is blown out. I will head north of Peterborough in search of a biggin.

Best of luck to everyone.

I've spent sooooo much time on Stoney looking for a big girl.

No luck yet. 42" is also my biggest.

Update - the river is blown out. I will head north of Peterborough in search of a biggin.

Best of luck to everyone.

Hi, what do you mean the river is blown out? We were thinking of launching out of the Southern Havelock Boat Launch along the Trent this weekend. Is that not a good idea?

Trent Severn was flushing out system and it was closed from Young's Point south to at least lock 19 in Ptbo and likely pretty high the rest of the way south. All that rain last week needed to get out...

They are starting to close the dams now it was much better this evening (Thursday). This weekend should be much better in terms of current so your original plans where the river was ripping is likely ok now.

I see. Thanks for the reply! Will give it a try this weekend. Haven't fished that part in a long time.

I can confirm Mastercaster1 that Stoney Lake does have big Muskie.

Two of my three over '50" Muskie's came out of the north end of Stoney Lake. A 52" thin male, and a huge gutty 56" female. While I have witnesses in both cases, (my boss in one, and 2 OPP guys in the other) but sadly no pictures.

The main focus was to get them in the water asap as their red tails told me there were both over-extended. I was actually jigging for Walleye using 6-8 lb test line with a 1-/4 oz jig with a 3" white grub in 45-50 ft. of water.
As you can imagine, it took a while to get both if them in the boat with the light line. I was relieved that both swam away, without difficulty, after about 10 mins of tail-holding.

The fish were caught about 300 yard from each other, but 2 yrs apart though. Go figure?

Muskies are an amazing fish, surprisingly fragile to raise, yet fierce later on.
I find the main difference between Pike and Muskie is that Pike will fight till they are tired, a Muskie fight till over-extended and death.

Good Luck at Stoney!

Cheers,