Muskie
LOCATIONS
BODIES OF WATER
Sparsely found in the upper Upper Potomac river in Maryland.
James and New River provide opportunity in Virginia.
Found in freshwater rivers and lakes in West Virginia
STRUCTURE/HABITAT
Where to find Muskie?
Predator, mainly eating smaller fish.
Natural structure, points, docks, trees, grassy areas. Any sudden changes in water depth.
Shorelines, Rocks
Shallow vegetation, weedlines.
Target the pools of deeper slow moving water in rivers.
Difficult to locate because they are at the top of the food chain.
Cover more water with faster lures or Live line large baits under floats.
PATTERNS
SPRING
During the spring, musky move into shallower areas for spawning. Look for them near shallow flats, submerged vegetation, and around cover such as fallen trees or brush piles. They are more active and aggressive during this time, readily taking various large baits and lures.
SUMMER
In the summer, musky tend to move to slightly deeper waters, particularly around submerged structures and drop-offs. They may seek cooler areas with vegetation or concentrate near areas with abundant food sources. Fishing early in the morning or late in the evening can be productive during this season.
FALL
As fall arrives, musky become more active and feed aggressively to build up energy reserves for the upcoming winter. They may move to shallower areas again, especially near submerged vegetation, rocky points, and creek mouths. Use a variety of large baits and techniques to entice them.
WINTER
Musky can still be caught during the winter, although they may be more sluggish. Look for them in deeper holes, near submerged structures, or along steep drop-offs. Slow presentations with large jigs, jerkbaits, crankbaits, or live bait can be effective during the colder months.
Bait
Musky are predatory fish and can be caught using a variety of large baits, including large crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures. Experiment with different baits and techniques to determine what works best in your fishing location.