Targeting Muskie

[Johndyers34]

I'm not very familiar with the mighty waters of the Fox River. I've been doing countless searches on the internet regarding muskie fishing on the Fox River. I'm just looking for information regarding the toothy critter on the Fox. Of course, me being a novice muskie fisherman (since I've never hooked one) I am just looking for ideal general areas that would give me a higher chance of hooking a beast or 20'' fish. I would ideally like to throw BIG streamers and other gaudy flies for them, but I can always throw hardware as well. Any information from the knowledgeable members of this site is greatly appreciative. I'm not looking for anyone's sweet spots, I would just love to get a chance to hook into the famous fish of a 10,000 casts. I should rethink this endeavor. 10,000 casts with a fly rod seems a bit crazy.

[Ken G]

We can talk about this on Saturday.
Basically they are every where, but there are high percentage spots.
I used to hook half a dozen a year, but I've only landed a couple. Light gear causes that problem.
Had a friend go 44 hours fishing primarily for them without even spotting one. Then he caught two about 10 minutes apart if I remember correctly.

The spots are no secret, you just won't see the muskie guys mention them. I'm not a muskie guy so I don't care.

We'll get that info up here for others sooner or later.

[Bill C.]

One spot you might want to try would be by the Batavia bait shop.I lost a nice musky while fishing for smallmouths and a friend just last year caught a 40 inch fish from the same spot.Also might want to try the Yorkville area,there have been several caught in that area over the last few years.

[AndrewR]

Go up north with me this summer, fool.

You pay gas.

[Fishin Musician]

Since the work on the Wilson ave bridge the area by Batavia Bait has filled in with a lot of sediment. The Muskie would hold in Mid current and come into the eddys to feed. With out deep water near by it makes the spot less likely to hold Muskie. I have fished for Muskies after the smallie bite has died down, listen to Ken when you get out with him, and once you find a good spot with more then one reason a big fish would like to reside, just put in your time and it will happen for you. I hooked into the same Muskie 3 times in a week , about a 38 incher each time hooking him on a 3 inch white grub and 6lb test. I went back with muskie tackle the following week and NEVER EVER saw that fish again. One last tip... it is important to optimize your presentation like if you are casting to structure logs. Make the first cast count!! For example, the logs facing into current and laying long ways towards current will hold more fish then logs sticking up and out of water or downfalls from the shoreline. Good Luck and when you catch one over 40 inches you WILL be ruined Forever!!!!

[Fishin Musician]

I will add a bit more to my preceding post, since i didn't get a nibble from what I wrote previously The Fox River being shallow and urban and dare I say small in regards to Rivers, keep Muskies on the better or the BEST spots for longer periods of time. Keep in mind, they can eat anything they want , whenever they want so don't be offended if you don't quite get the Musky Hunter experience when out trying to catch them. I have found colder water to be better then fishing warmer water and who knows... maybe Muskies know that walleye are going for 14 dollars a pound at Jewel so NOW>> is a peak time to try to catch one if that is YOUR desire. I have a hunch that in high water they get washed down from the Chain where they were stocked and they set up where they feel comfortable or where they have landed!!! I am not an expert on, them but I have caught a bunch over the years fishing the Fox.... It isn't Canada but ... what a hoot to land a plus 40 inch fish 10 to 20 minutes from Home!!!

[Johndyers34]

Thank you for the information everyone. I'll need to get out to the fox soon and give a few spots a try. I would like to target these critters. I now have a better understanding of where to start.