Thornapple lake Musky opener

[bivenser]

I am going to Thornapple this weekend for the musky opener. Just wondering if any other Michigan-Sportsman member planning fishing for the toothy giants this weekend at Thornapple. If you are lets talk about our games plans for the weekend and share some Ideas about the lake.




Eric

[Brad1]

Eric,


I am also thinking about trying my luck on Thornapple Lake this weekend. I fished there one time 2 or 3 years ago and caught a small pike. I saw several muskies come to the surface though. If you or anyone else has any tackle/lure suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

[bivenser]

Brad,

I have fished it twice, both times with groups of ten or so. Last year for the opener it was very slow in the morning. but it picked up in the afternoon and into the evening. In the spring both of the muskies our grouped hooked into were while trolling large rapalas. And we caught 4-5 pike on live bait. We went again in Sept and hooked two musky while fishing large chubs.

My game plan is to start the morning fishing live bait near one of the river inlets then switch to casting lures like the swim wiz, buck tails and large plastics. After that I will troll the rest of the afternoon. We have 13 guys in 6 boats for this trip. My boat is a green alum. 16' with home made chasting deck and a console stearing. If we cross paths be sure to say hi.


Good Luck,


Eric

[MuskyDan]

Eric, are part of the Michigan Muskie Alliance?? There will be a group from the club there too. The may be meeting at the park at noon for some comparing of notes and a little lunch. I know that they are going to call contacts at Sanford, and Hudson at this time, to see how the other lakes are producing.

Good luck guys, and check out the club deal at noon, if you're not members yet you could get a look at what your missing.

[bivenser]

Dan,


I am not part of the group but it sounds like something I would be interrested in. We are also planning on lunch at the park so I will probely say Hi and see how everyone is doing.

Good Luck to all on the opener,


Eric

[Will_S]

I just wanted to remind everyone that Thornapple now has a 50" size limit for Muskellunge!!

The DNR didn't do a very good job about letting the public know but it's at the bottom of page 27 in the 2002 fishing guide.

[discdrag]

where is thornapple lake?

[Will_S]

Sorry about the poor description.

Thornapple Lake, Barry County.