October 18, 2006

Muskie Fishing at Spring Lake North, near Peoria IL

39 inches, estimated weight about 15 pounds

After getting an email from Jon in Morton IL, I knew we had to make a Muskie Run (down and back in the same day,  4hours each way). Thanks Jon !!!

Spring Lake CLOSES TO FISHING THIS WEEKEND.

I've been told conflicting info about when the lake closes and reopens, but this is the sign posted at the ramp.

Before making a late season trip, I'd call: 1-309-968-7135. Site Superintendent, Spring Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, 7982 South Park Road, Manito, Il. 61546. to make sure the ramps are open for fishing.

Back to the fishing...

Well, the water temp was 51 degrees and the clarity was excellent with visibility of about 4 feet (most of the lake is 3 feet deep or less, so we could see the bottom almost everywhere). We fished the same location and pattern as the early Spring and it worked again !!!( See the January 20, 2006 , Feb 1, 2006 , March 29, 2006 , April 8, 2006 , April 9, 2006 reports)

I've never lost so many fish in my life as we did today. The muskie were extremely passive and timid, with lazy follows and little nips at small baits. The only thing they showed interest in was the small grubs, and with a single point hook and timid little bites, they were coming off left and right !!!! We got spit out by at least 10 muskies today. I only take the blame for one. I had a 36-37 incher hooked nicely, but tried to horse him when he headed for the lilypads. He didn't like being horsed and decided to spit me out. That one was clearly my fault. Luckily, they best fish of the day didn't get off.

Mom was cranking in her grub and said, "Kevin !!! LOOK, LOOK behind my lure !!!" I spun around and saw that nice 39 incher swimming about a foot behind her lure, right at the boat. "Don't stop that lure, shake it, jerk it." Mom gave it one twitch and while I couldn't see her bait, I saw that white flash of the muskie's gills flaring wide open and I saw his mouth snap shut, and instantly knew he had the grub in his mouth. "SET THE HOOK", I yelled. She heaved back, the water boiled and he shot off to the lilypads. About a minute later he was in the net.

As a side note, I did have a nice healthy looking 17 inch bass on the same bait, and a sickly looking 16 incher that had Very recently been almost eaten by a big muskie !!!!

Good Luck Everybody !!!

See you on the water !!!

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