Fall is a great time to go fishing for Muskie as they abandon their normal hiding places and go roaming around in search of prey which means that you will have more of a chance of finding one.

The key here is understanding muskie behavior. Despite fierce reputations, these giants are not so brave. They don’t like leaving their known homes. They spawn and head south for the winter in very specific locations. And they remain devoted to these different seasonal ranges year after year after year.

That’s one of the reasons why local muskie guides often prefer fishing in the summertime—they know exactly where the fish are but it can be difficult for the rest of us. An individual muskie’s summer range can be as small as 40 hectares.

Autumn, however changes the rules. When the water temperature drops below 15°C, the fish become nomadic and search for food. In a relatively small lake, they’ll often cruise an entire section several times.

They survive by binge feeding in the fall and living off the reserves of fat during the winter. Mature muskies must also obtain enough nourishment in the autumn for the eggs or milt developing inside their bodies.

Trolling is a much better strategy than casting when it comes to fall muskies, if for no other reason than two moving objects have a much greater chance of eventually meeting. In shallow, weedy lakes troll using large in-line spinners over and along deep cabbage weed edges. Good choices include the Mepps Magnum Musky Killer, Mepps Marabou and Blue Fox Fluted Blade Musky Buck. Spinnerbaits such as the Dick Pearson Grinder and Rad Dog Grinder also work well.

In deeper, rockier waters, trolling large hard and soft crankbaits—such as the Triple D Dynamic Deep Diver or the 10-inch Storm Kickin’ Minnow—will also produce fish of knee-knocking proportions.

Regardless of the lure you choose, the key at this time of the year is to concentrate your efforts in 15 to 30 feet of water. You’ll increase your chances significantly by trolling in, over and around long underwater points, sunken rock reefs and necked-down channels with current.

Large muskie are mostly female spawners which can be up to 30 years of age so it is important to release them unharmed to maintain the level of muskie for years to come.

If you drop it by accident you will significantly reduce its chance of successful survival once you release it, so keep a careful hold while you take the important photograph. Ideally, you should keep the fish in the water over the side of the boat in an extra-large net while you remove the hooks. Try to get the fish back in the water as soon as possible.
So get out there and enjoy the Fall Muskie fun!