Fall Fishing: Muskie in Muskoka
Mike Smith from Reelpro Guide Services explains why fishing for Muskie in Muskoka in fall is a big deal.
Muskellunge (Muskie) are the true giants of our lakes and rivers in Ontario, and they’re also the fish of legends. They’re known as “the fish of a thousand casts,” “the monster that lives under the dock,” “the fish that swamped Grandpa’s boat,” and yes, “the one that got away.”
Muskoka is home to some of the best Muskie fishing in the world, and the current Ontario Record Muskie was caught in Muskoka in 1988. It was a 65lb giant caught in Blackstone Harbour of Georgian Bay, on the western-most side of Muskoka, in the Moon River basin.
Fall can be one of the best times of year for Muskie fishing in Muskoka. The action heats up in mid to late September and stays good right through to the season close December 15th or freeze–up.
Muskie can live to be 30 years old, grow to almost 6 feet in length and weigh over 65 Lbs. They are one of Canada’s largest freshwater gamefish, second only to Sturgeon in size, but they are definitely the most ferocious predator that swims in the lakes and rivers of Ontario. Muskie have been reported to attack all other species of fish, waterfowl, rodents, even small dogs, and people dipping their toes or fingers in the water.
Muskie are at the top of the food chain in our lakes and thus nature keeps their numbers fairly low. In light of this Ontario has instituted new size limits on most waters to help protect the Muskie populations and many waters are release only fishing.
Muskie season opens in Muskoka on the first Saturday of June in any given year and closes Dec 15th. Check the MNR regulations for catch and size limits for the body of water you are going to fish.
Here are just a few Muskoka Lakes of the many that have resident populations of Muskie: Sparrow Lake, Gloucester Pool, and North Channel of the Trent-Severn waterway, Kashe Lake, Morrison Lake, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joe, Blackstone Lake, Go Home Lake.
Georgian Bay in the Muskoka-Parry Sound area has literally millions of square miles of Muskie waters to fish and may be the home of the next World Record Muskie!
Fall Muskie fishing in Muskoka is also a great way to see the fall colours, which are second to none in the nation. To plan your getaway (and to satisfy your Muskie madness), click here.
For a complete list of Muskoka region lakes and the fish in them go to Muskokawaterweb.ca. Be sure to check the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations as well. For guided services, check out Reelpro.ca – Fishing Charter Service
Guest Blogger: Mike Smith, Reelpro Guide Services
Mike is the owner of Reelpro Guide Services which offers guided fishing tours and stay & play packages in the great Canadian wilderness, including at the Muskoka Bay Club in Gravenhurst.
