Tips For A Fist Time Musky Fisherman

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I just found out that a local lake stocks musky annually. As the winter creeps up I wanted to shift my attention to the new found resource. I dont know anything about musky fishing really except for trolling is a major technique used. As a bass fisherman I mostly chuck bigger swimbaits, various top water lures, and crankbaits. Any tips or suggestions for a starting spot would be greatly appreciated. Tight lines.

Are you talking about Burke Lake? If so, you should check out Charlie Taylor's report... it usually has a blurb about muskies on Burke.

 

I've had a few follows there on bucktails and crankbaits, but never hooked up. Seen some nice ones come out of that lake though, and the follows that I had were decent sized fish.

 

A few years ago I saw a guy catch what was probably a 10-12lb muskie at Burke on a Zebco spincast reel and a light action fiberglass rod, while fishing with his son. He was fishing nightcrawlers and probably a size 4-6 hook, and the fight was epic  Guy actually managed to boat, photo and release the fish. This was on the west side of Vesper Island, right where it drops into deeper water. 

 

If you can get up that way, the Potomac upstream of Harper's Ferry is a good muskie fishery. The most densely populated area being between Williamsport and Hancock, although muskies have been caught all the way down to Great Falls. I saw one caught at the mouth of Seneca Creek a few months ago. There are both tiger muskie and true strain muskie in the Potomac, although the origin of the true strain muskies is a bit of a mystery.

 

An interesting side not is that there are also confirmed catches of northern pike, although this has not happened in many years to my understanding. Plummer's Island near Cabin John, MD is one area where I've heard of pike being caught on the Potomac.

[big poppa]

Are you talking about Burke Lake? If so, you should check out Charlie Taylor's report... it usually has a blurb about muskies on Burke.

 

I've had a few follows there on bucktails and crankbaits, but never hooked up. Seen some nice ones come out of that lake though, and the follows that I had were decent sized fish.

 

A few years ago I saw a guy catch what was probably a 10-12lb muskie at Burke on a Zebco spincast reel and a light action fiberglass rod, while fishing with his son. He was fishing nightcrawlers and probably a size 4-6 hook, and the fight was epic  Guy actually managed to boat, photo and release the fish. This was on the west side of Vesper Island, right where it drops into deeper water. 

 

If you can get up that way, the Potomac upstream of Harper's Ferry is a good muskie fishery. The most densely populated area being between Williamsport and Hancock, although muskies have been caught all the way down to Great Falls. I saw one caught at the mouth of Seneca Creek a few months ago. There are both tiger muskie and true strain muskie in the Potomac, although the origin of the true strain muskies is a bit of a mystery.

 

An interesting side not is that there are also confirmed catches of northern pike, although this has not happened in many years to my understanding. Plummer's Island near Cabin John, MD is one area where I've heard of pike being caught on the Potomac.

 

I am talking about Burke. Ive read charlie's report every week for the last 5 years hahaha. Thanks for the info! Ive been meaning to head out to Burke as the occoquan reservoir slows down. Sounds like I might have to make a trip up past Harper's Ferry.