It is here, the great time to be on the water,,,,

[Chas Martin]

Not at all. I have caught many muskies on topwater lures into late October - especially fishing them around good weed cover. It all depends on the current weather patterns, water temps and fishing location etc...

Chas Martin
http://www.muskymastery.com

[Ranger Rick]

The fall is the time of year I enjoy guiding. For over 30 years my customers and I have boated muskies in October and November until ice up. The lakes are empty and the fish are willing for the most part. As far as fishing topwater in the fall, I don't do it. Will it work? Occasionally. Any bait an angler throws has the potential of getting eaten. I know some guys that throw a topraider in water that is 50 degrees and every once in a great while will catch a fish. I don't do it.

Why don't I do it? Percentages are against you. In late September and early October the fish are shallow in the weeds. This changes after the transition period which happen from 58 to 55 degrees. At 54 degrees the lakes begin to clear and the muskies "step out" to the hard bottom outside of the weeds and summer food shelves.

Your time will be spent much more wisely by throwing baits erratically of any sort, minnow baits, walk the dog style baits, Eddie baits, crankbaits ripped and stopped or bulldawgs and suzy suckers retrieved in erratic swim retrieve.

I spend a good amount of time during October and November on the Three Lakes Chain, ,,,as a matter of fact, several years ago I made a late fall video filmed entirely on the Three Lakes Chain. It is on sale at the sport shop. We fished 22 days and caught 38 muskies on film. One of my favorite lures on that chain is a suzy sucker. Eighteen of the 38 fish ate that bait.

I surmise you don't have unlimited time when you are up here in October, If I were you I wouldn't be throwing a surface bait.......and whatever you do, be sure to use some suckers.

Ranger Rick

[angler29]

Ill make sure to check that video out. Do you recommend a live bait rig?