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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
February 23, 2003
Musky Angler Asks:
Dave -
When is the best time to musky fish lake Erie?
Thanks,
Musky Angler
Captain Dave's Response:
Musky angler,
Although not much is heard about the musky fishery on Lake Erie, they are there. And since I'm not familiar with these monsters, I had to ask the experts.
"I think it's the next fishing boom on Lake Erie," said Andy Luchovick, President of the Three Rivers Chapter of Muskies Inc. "My biggest musky came from Lake Erie. It was a fifty one inch, forty seven pound fish caught in the Buffalo harbor just above the Peace Bridge."
According to Luchovick there are two personalities of muskellunge in Lake Erie waters: The inland musky, such as those in Presque Isle Bay and the roaming fish of the lake.
The roaming fish swim in packs during the summer and they can be caught, Luchovick said. But the best time is during the fall when the water temperature is 50 degrees. He recommends trolling crankbaits near the old Hammermil plant, Dunkirk New York, or anywhere that warm water discharges attract baitfish.
"The deep diving crankbaits such as Legends or Hookers work well," Luchovick said. "I caught the forty seven pounder on the Legend perch bait."
Also, this is courtesy of the magazine, Lake Erie Walleye www.walleye.com from their article archive:
The Eastern Lake Erie Fishery Report
By Joe Fischer
Another Eastern Lake Erie warm water fishery that has recently gained international status is the Muskellunge. The area around Buffalo's Small Boat Harbor and the Upper Niagara River has been producing muskies in excess of 50 inches for several years now. 2001 was not especially a good year as the catch rate per hour dropped but as any devoted musky fishermen knows, musky fishing is more about quality than quality! Many fish caught were in excess of 30 lbs. and should continue to grow so a 55-60 inch musky will probably be caught in the not too distant future. This fishery should continue to produce world class size muskies in 2002 because of the catch and release policies and habitat protection programs of the Niagara Musky Association. This club of approximately 200 devoted musky fishermen, quickly recognized the fragility of their superb fishery and worked with many of the local politicians and NYSDEC personnel to protect and enhance the muskie's sensitive underwater habitat at the Buffalo waterfront.
And this tidbit about the musky is from the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) on July 1, 1998.
Muskies may be developing a taste for unusual bait
Dan Droessler, a Platteville, Wisconsin, police officer was vacationing at Governor Dodge State Park near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. He had been dangling his foot in the water over the side of a canoe at Twin Valley Lake when a 36-inch tiger muskie clamped onto his foot. The surprised Droessler, who wasn't even fishing (and usually does not fish), pulled his foot out of the water, and the muskie dropped into the canoe.
Droessler required 60 stitches in a local hospital emergency room.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources then confiscated the fish. Warden Randy Rossing said, "We had to take it. It's not a legal size for one thing, and it's not a legal way to catch a fish-with your foot." Droessler did eventually get to keep the fish.
Hmm, good thing we don't swim near the entrance to Presque Isle Bay in the fall.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
For information on Muskies Inc., visit their web site at: www.muskiesinc.org or visit the Three Rivers Chapter 16 at : Three Rivers Chapter
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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