Castus Interruptus = Lost Opportunity
By Mike Kadoura Originally published in the Release Journal July / August 2011 Let me get to the point right away. Do not get distracted on a cast, or you will miss out on that fish you are yearning for so badly. Case in Point…Last week my buddy Mark and I went out to Madoc […]
Speed for Musky Fishing
By Jeff Gardner Originally published in the Release Journal July / August 2011 As my bucktail hit the water the blades started spinning immediately on entry, and two seconds later a long green shadow shot out of a weed pocket from my left, covering the twenty feet to my lure in the blink of an […]
Obssession
An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind. At the time, it seemed reasonable that I should be planning my opening day muskie trip in early February. Where to go, color patterns, size … you know the process. I was online using the Navionics apps when my wife walked by […]
Preseason Angling
Originally published in the Muskies Canada Release Journal 2005 A worrisome and ignorant activity carried out by non reasoning anglers is pre-season angling for muskellunge. This usually occurs during the month of May and early June – the muskie spawning period in most northerly locales, usually under the guise of pike fishing. These muskies are […]
Did You Know ??
Pre-Spawn Chomp Originally published in the Muskies Canada Release Journal – March April 2008 From many angler observations, it appears female muskellunge will usually feed up in April before spawning activities start in early May. This behavior is witnessed by their presence at perch, crappie and other panfish runs and aggregations during the month of […]
Targeting Big Fish
By Jeff Gardner Originally published in the Release Journal March/April 2010 Browsing across the various web forums or flipping through the pages of magazines, one might be led to conclude that trophy muskies are only accessible to those willing to pound it out in frigid, windy November and December conditions. The fact of the matter […]
Distribution and Management of Muskellunge in North America: An Overview
Kerr, S. J. 2011. Distribution and management of muskellunge in North America: An overview. Fisheries Policy Section, Biodiversity Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 22 p. + appendices. Click here to view summaries from all archived OMNR publications. Introduction This report has been prepared to document current muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) distribution in North […]
Trophy-Sized Muskellunge Angled from Ontario Waters, 1917-2010
Kerr, S. J., A. Kirkpatrick, and T. J. Haxton. 2011. Characteristics of Trophy-Sized Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) Angled from Ontario Waters, 1917-2010. Fisheries Policy Section, Biodiversity Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 7 p. + appendices. Click here to view summaries from all archived OMNR publications. Executive Summary An effort was made to compile […]
Muskellunge of the Ottawa River
Kerr, S. J. 2010. Muskellunge of the Ottawa River. Biodiversity Branch. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. 21 p. + appendices Ecology of Ottawa River Muskellunge Muskellunge Habitat Generally, the habitat preferences of muskellunge may be described as heavily vegetated lakes; stumpy, weedy bays; and slow-flowing river systems (see Appendix 1). They have the […]
Guidelines for Competitive Fishing Events for Muskellunge in Ontario
August 2007. Guidelines for Competitive Fishing Events for Muskellunge in Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Peterborough, Ontario. Click here to view summaries from all archived OMNR publications. Introduction Competitive fishing is a growing industry in Ontario (Kerr and Kamke 2003, Kerr 2004). Bass (Micropterus spp.) are the most commonly targeted species at these events. […]