Summer musky tips?

[papajoe222]

I normally target musky in the spring and late fall, rarely during the summer.  I’ll be heading to upper WI for a bass tournament next week-end, but figure I can do a little musky fishing prior to it.  
Any advice on areas to target?  Surface water temps should be in the low to mid 70s, but I figure it to be cooler deep. I prefer to cast, but trolling is an option. I have a small assortment of spoons and plugs designed for trolling, but am at a loss as to where, other than saddles and humps, to use them. 

[gim]

I can’t specifically comment on the water temps in northern Wisconsin, but if they are similar to northern MN, they will be quite warm. Even as far north as Leech Lake in Minnesota the water temps are already 80+ degrees.

 

I target them with speed. Fast moving lures during low light periods. Also, don’t be afraid to fish at night if you’re up for it.

[Vilas15]

I wouldn't fish them at all if water temps are over 80 which you may see with daytime temps in the 80s this week. Your best bet is probably first light both for best fishing and coolest temps. I'd focus on deep weedlines and any deep mid-lake structure you can find. Fish fast and erratic because fish should be moving fast with high temps.

[Ogandrews]

Do not fish for them until the water gets back down into the mid 70’s. I was just up on lake vermilion for a week which is way farther north than anywhere in Wisconsin and it was still 80-83. Your going to be killing fish most likely if you catch one, stick to bass.

 

If you really want to do it, try to find a smaller faster river. Generally temps will be cooler and there will be more oxygen in the water.

[papajoe222]

10 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

 

 

If you really want to do it, try to find a smaller faster river. Generally temps will be cooler and there will be more oxygen in the water.

Surface water temp is currently 74 and I figure that it should be fairly consistent down to the thermocline.  The cabbage is just breaking here in the shallows. 
I’ll also be fishing the river if l can’t raise a ski during the day here. 
a

Any tips fir the river?

[Ogandrews]

14 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Surface water temp is currently 74 and I figure that it should be fairly consistent down to the thermocline.  The cabbage is just breaking here in the shallows. 
I’ll also be fishing the river if l can’t raise a ski during the day here. 
a

Any tips fir the river?

With those temps that should be pretty much the most active the fish will be all year. Lake wise they could be anywhere but in July I generally will focus more on weeds especially on sunny days, cloudy windy days I’ll focus more on wind blown rocks. River wise it’s really not super complicated. You can almost pretend that your fishing for smallies when you are looking for where they will be. Bases of riffles and rapids, current breaks, front and back of pools, medium speed runs with consistent couple foot depths, dams.