Lure Size on Eagle....why upsize?

[stevestlouis]

Steve,

Thanks for the reply to my post. I’ll pack some larger lures this year and roll the dice. Eagle is one of 3-4 NW Ontario lakes that I believe have the ability to produce a true monster muskie. I’m hoping the larger lures mitigate the amount of 20-25 inch pike on as they are a pain with three trebles moving around. Great work with the forum and best fishing to everyone this season.

Steve S

[Brian Malack]

Steve, before I started fishing Eagle I too spent weeks fishing Indian and Canyon. I also found what you did to be true regarding downsizing of baits. After switching to Eagle, obviously the first thing I did was bring my bag of tricks with me and try it out there. Unfortunately, most smaller presentations I have used have been fairly unproductive for Muskies on Eagle. But fortunately, I can honestly say I have seen more big fish in ONE SPOT on Eagle then I have seen combined on Indian/Canyon ever...so while those lakes can be fun to fish and do have their time and place, I think you are making the right choice.

[stevestlouis]

Brian,

It seems you were in same situation at one time. I kind of fell into Eagle this year as my regular fishing buddy that I go up with to Indian/Canyon just closed on a house and couldn’t make it. Another group I knew had three and were looking for a fourth for a NW Ontario trip. They told me they had booked for Eagle Lake already so I figured, hell yeah – been wanting to try my hand at that lake for many years. I’ve had some magical weeks in Indian/Canyon that have produced 50+ follows a day (granted this is optimal conditions) but, I rarely saw fish over 45 inches. The best we boated was 48 inches two years back trolling. I’ve seen around a dozen fish at the legitimate 50 inch mark (several I hooked and lost) with one gargantuan probably 54-55ish that had my dad soiling himself.

I’ve got some larger baits to toss out on Eagle this year (Jackpots, Grandmas, Suicks, giant Woodchopper etc) I can feel the tendonitis already. I’m expecting this to be similar to Long Legged in that you see fewer muskie follows but the quality being higher on average as both these lakes share many commonalities. Its hard to tell much about a lake fishing for one week. After all we have not control over it being as on week or off one with the bite. I’ll probably wing it without one day of guiding as the economy affects us all. We’ll put our time in casting in trolling and place the odds in our favor the best we can.

A question on Taxidermy – the person I’ll be fishing with up there is hell-bent on stuffing a muskie if he get a 45+. I’m attempting to steer him towards a replicated mount as I’d rather not take a 15 year old fish out of the lake. Do you have any recommendations on good taxidermist in the area, cost? (they go per inch if I recall) – also, outside of quality pictures, you would want the exact length, girth, yes?

Thanks for you time and info as I’m stoked I found this forum.

Steve S

[jhillman17]

well let your buddy know that it's not an option, the length limit on eagle is 54 inches, so unless he catches one over 54, he isn't going to stuff it.

For replicas, yes, you need to get measurements of length, girth, and a photo of the markings, so they can make it as exact of a duplicate as possible. I'm not sure what replica's cost these days, but two names I hear all the time are Fittante and Lax reproductions.

http://www.fittantereplicas.com/

http://www.laxreproductions.com/

and to educate your buddy....

http://www.esoxhunter.com/Mounts.php

[DanR]

Wow!!! Anyone who kills an Eagle Lake musky needs to fish somewhere other than Eagle Lake. I certainly hope you aren't staying at AML because I'm pretty sure Steve & the guides won't like it if a guest takes a legal. Sorry, but that's the way I see it too! Magnificent animals, why would someone want to kill it? Keep the genetics in the lake, and give someone else the chance to experience the thrill of a fishing lifetime.

They need to be 54" to keep anyway (if you have the proper license). Last year, I *could* have kept my 54", but the thought NEVER crossed my mind. In fact, all I could think of was getting her back in the water as quickly as possible after a great fight. I almost bow in honor to that great fish. It wasn't til someone mentioned to me later back home that I could have kept it that I thought, "Holy cr@p, that's right. That WAS a legal musky." If I can let a giant one go, so can everyone else.

Man, I'm kind of angry and sad by this, someone going to the great Eagle Lake with the intent to kill. No offense, but your friend doesn't deserve to be in the presence of the greatness of the Eagle Lake Musky fishery.

What a joke.

-Dan

[DanR]

I'm not sure what replica's cost these days, but two names I hear all the time are Fittante and Lax reproductions.

About $12-13/inch. By the time you get done with shipping, you're looking at about 700-$750 for fish in the widely recognized trophy range of 50-54". It's money well spent, and most come with a lifetime guarantee.

-Dan

[stevestlouis]

I agree with the reply post in that you shouldn’t take a trophy out the waters. Everything I’ve read on replicated mounts shows they look just as good and last much longer given humidity and other factors. Through all the years I’ve been up we have never kept a muskie (this will be my 20th). Anytime I see a broche with someone standing on the dock with a 50 incher I think, ‘well that one is no longer available’. For many avid fisherman its as easy choice to place the fish back as you don’t want to deplete your fishery – give someone else the chance to catch a trophy. There is a reason we travel to NW Ontario instead of WI or MN.

Dan, Brian and Steve, thanks for your info. I’ll post how we did in ten days or so.

Steve S

[Steve Herbeck]

steve s,
i appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
we have a camp policy of;
no over slot fish kept unless accidental death which means;
walleyes over 18"
pike over 27.5 "
trout over 6# or 24"
bass-none
muskies none unless potential world record

i have fished eagle for over 25yrs and believe me when i say the good ole days of fishing are not 20-25 yrs ago they are NOW AND UPCOMING.
with intelligent size and slot limits and possesion limits,and above all the general attitude of todays fishermen with a much more c/r attitude regarding trophy fish in favour of repos and releasing over the slot fish and keeping another under the slot instead for eating the fishery and it's future for everyone and thier kids,grand kids, etc is very bright.
many resorts have now adopted the same guide lines with respect not only for thier future business wise but more importantly the respource , now if all would especially one in portage bay..... it would help even more.

good luck!!
steve
aml

[DanR]

I agree with the reply post in that you shouldn’t take a trophy out the waters. Everything I’ve read on replicated mounts shows they look just as good and last much longer given humidity and other factors. Through all the years I’ve been up we have never kept a muskie (this will be my 20th). Anytime I see a broche with someone standing on the dock with a 50 incher I think, ‘well that one is no longer available’. For many avid fisherman its as easy choice to place the fish back as you don’t want to deplete your fishery – give someone else the chance to catch a trophy. There is a reason we travel to NW Ontario instead of WI or MN.

Dan, Brian and Steve, thanks for your info. I’ll post how we did in ten days or so.

Steve S

I'm really glad you see it that way, and you seem like a reasonable and intelligent guy. I hope you are able to convince your friend(s) NOT to kill any Musky on Eagle Lake over 54". It would really be a tragedy. Thanks.

I've also released a few 20+lb pike back into Eagle Lake, and have a replica of one of them. Even though pike is a species that is "looked down on" (when compared to Musky, Trout, Smallies, and Walleye) by most, as far as I'm concerned...ANY big fish of any species should be released. A big fish is a rarity to be respected. And I'll tell you what, that 42" Fall pike I got a few years ago would give any Musky fisherman a run for his money as far as the battle is concerned. Big pike are awesome fighters (little ones, not so much ).

-Dan

[Steve S WI]

and to educate your buddy....

jhillman17 you are SO correct!

stevestlouis if your buddy is so set at stuffing a 45 incher quite frankly I hope he does not fish ANY lakes I fish!! Like jhillman17 said the legal size is 54 on Eagle. With that said I would not want your buddy even to handle a fish of any size to release if that is his/her thought process. Stuffing a fish I think is so "old school" with the replicas nowadays. A true musky/fishing hunter needs to let them go to let them grow! Just my thoughts but I am not a camp owner but I think most would say that releasing and getting a replica is the way to go. Many fisherman at Eagle, including myself, would not even keep or have released a legal Eagle musky just for the fact of the trophy potential in the future. Your buddy old or young needs to realize the precious resource that we have. Yea, it is just a fish but still rare at any rate with the increased pressure from many factors.

[DanR]

Folks, Steve S is being modest here. He didn't mention that he also released a GIANT 55.5", 50+lb Musky back in 2005. Again, another example like mine of, "If he can do it, why can't you?"

Steve, I can still vividly remember when you and your Dad came in that day. It was a pleasure being in camp. Your Dad's eyeballs were still popping out if his head even a few hours later; he was in disbelief like, "Did this really happen?". HAHAHAHA.

Is Trevor casting yet?

-Dan

[Bill Hedden]

This thread has done a great job of highlighting how important it is to release all muskies back into the lake, and how passionate AML fishermen are about doing that. It probably bears mentioning here that releasing a fish isn't very effective in preserving the future of the fishery, nor is it worthy of these wonderful animals, if you hurt the fish handling it. Sure, a fish might inhale a lure into its gills and there is nothing you can do about that except to stay on shore; but thinking realistically about how it would ruin your day or entire trip if you couldn't revive one of these beautiful creatures because you had injured it during the release makes it clear that we all need to spend time and money making sure that we are ready to deal with a big, intimidating fish in the net. You really shouldn't be casting for them unless somebody in your boat is up to that task. That is easier said than done if your net is too small and the fish is crammed in there in a bend and you can't keep it comfortably in the water while unhooking it. You are also in trouble if you don't have really good bolt cutters and/or a jaw spreader and you are looking at just the tips of a bucktail sticking out of the clenched, toothy jaws of a big musky. Basically, you need a good tool kit easily at hand, and that begins with a good net that allows you and the fish to calm down and breathe in preparation for the release. As mentioned, you need bolt cutters that will easily cut the hooks when needed and long nosed pliers. Gloves if they make you feel better. If you haven't done much of it before, look closely at the big musky mounts in the AML lodge and imagine that you are trying to get the hooks out of those jaws without hurting the fish or yourself. It helps you prepare yourself mentally. Finally, and I may get in trouble here, consider releasing the fish without hoisting it up by the gill covers for a photo. No matter how much you try to support the body with your other hand, that is incredibly stressful for a fish, and the bigger they are the more stressful it is. Take a photo of it in the water while you are gently stabilizing it until it is ready to swim off. I've seen some great images where the photographer took a head-on shot of a fish in that position. Seeing them swim off strong and angry and minimally hurt is the happy completion of the whole process.

Bill Hedden