Musky Spring Patterns
Two musky spring patterns dominate musky fishing in spring. In lakes with cold-water baitfish like ciscoes, muskies often suspend in open water. In waters lacking suspended baitfish, muskies often relate to cover and forage on shallow flats.
Early season musky fishing can be a mystery for many anglers, but it doesn’t have to be. James Lindner and Jeremy Smith went out to look at some strategies for producing muskies on the opener with some good success. Here, we’ll take a look at two distinct patterns that often exist on good musky waters.
Tulibees and Whitefish
On lakes that have tulibees and whitefish, muskies are often suspended high over open water. For instance, Trolling crankbaits down five to 15 feet over thirty feet of water or more is a very productive tactic.
Shallow Flats
The other productive method is to focus on the shallows — sometimes very shallow. Because there isn’t a lot of developed weed yet, muskies tend to roam over expansive flats. Covering water is vital on large flats, and anglers should position the boat up on the flat with anglers casting in opposite directions. Small pieces of cover like boulders or tufts of developing weeds will often hold fish in these flats. If you get a follow, make sure you punch it in on your GPS so you can return to the exact location when the fish is more active. As Lindn ers said, “Believe me on these big flats it’s nearly impossible to find the spot again without marking it on your GPS.”
Conclusion
Early season musky fishing doesn’t have to be a mystery. By understanding the two distinct patterns that often exist on good musky waters, anglers can be successful in their pursuit of these elusive fish. Whether trolling crankbaits over open water or casting over shallow flats, anglers should always remember to mark their GPS when they get a follow. Good luck out there!