some degree by relocating. 77: Peaking out. Summer peak is defined by the pinnacle in water temperature for the season. We find 77 degrees to be a temperature one might hope to expect in mid-summer across northern regions of the muskie habitat. Some years, like last for instance, many waters never attained this surface temperature. However at 77 degrees muskies will feed more frequently than any other time of year, possibly as often as every eight hours. Combine a stretch of stable weather during this period and one can expect multiple daily catches and numerous follows likely on the right body of water. Of you are fortunate enough to experience this anomaly, suffice it to day, fishing can be as good as it gets! On the contrary, during unstable weather expect the muskie to more finicky than at any other period of the season.They will make very dramatic moves during this peak period based on changes in their environment. Periods of cold fronts will force the muskie to adhere to harder breaking areas more consistently than they would during more favorable conditions. Again, history will tell us they like it warm. If the water temperatures reach or exceed say 77 degrees and rapidly fall back into the high sixties, obviously due to a severe cold front, LARGER FEMALE muskies will simply escape by going vertical and drop below the negative influences until things improve, at which time she will again make another vertical move, ascending to her preferred comfort zone. This will hold true throughout the muskies natural range. 67: 67 and falling. On the back side of 67 degrees is when the fall transition generally begins. However, many anglers will have fished through this period without ever recognizing it’s change and/or it’s significance. Fish are now more likely to be primarily found on vertical sections of structure. Where easy access to deep water is generally available. Sharp vertical points leading into inside turns are fish magnets. The cool nights have begun. Day to day fluctuations in water temps will dictate absolute depths fish will use. Warm days fish may still be found shallow. Cooling temps, fish again tend to drop down. However, always keep in mind, mid-day peak warmth during a cooling trend may quickly reverse this process and again bring fish shallow. It’s important to recognize that during this early fall period, frontal systems move through quicker as the region looses it’s stronghold on summers more favorable weather patterns. On natural lakes in the midwest or throughout Canada, one will often find the more productive anglers tuned into the process of identifying and following roaming forage during this key period. Between now and the 57 degree benchmark, baitfish such as crappie, cisco, tulibe and others will start to congregate and in the course of their normal daily activities and will often come into contact with prime muskie structural elements as they ping pong through the system. It’s during this period that the predator will begin to show signs of reserving their energy supplies by dramatically reducing their daily movements and closely adhering to the art of ambush. It’s not until the next compression period , that being between 57-47 degrees that transition will truly begin, and once again they will again begin to use their limited energy surpluses as they make their way to their winter haunts. 57: 57 and falling. 57 degrees purely signifies the entry to fall. Also coinciding with the turnover period. Muskies have again begun to travel away from their summer home ranges. This marks the period when much of the available vegetation begins to die. Fish will again set up in transition areas. Sharp vertical points, shorelines and walls become prime candidates. This is the time multiple forages species begin to stage off breaklines. Although casting these areas can be effective, trolling now becomes a prime consideration. Active fish will primarily be at the mid-depth levels at 8-15, although days following turnover they can be at any depth. However, during warming trends fish again may move shallow. This is the period when conservation of energy falls into second place as they endure the relocation process. That being said, fish this period much like you would the spring period of the same temperatures. Forage is on the move, selecting their primary comfort zones and the predator is dictated to follow. Any warming patterns such as those defined as indian summers can and have produced some of my larg

Cedar Lake Lodge