Muskegon Lake Eyes Etiquette

[Jimmy Carl Black]

Anybody got tips for me on technique and local rules of this fishery. Plan to start fishing it both from boat and bank and would appreciate some pointers.
Is this an electric trolling motor only crowd or can I run my 4-stroke 8hp?
Are people running mostly in-line planer boards?

Bankee stuff seems a little more self-explanatory but, again, if anyone has any local knowledge tips about set up, casting technique, etc., that would be great.

[wally-eye]

Lots and lots of trolling after dark..........very few use boards, at least after dark anyways............lots of boats later in the year trolling at night so it can get real busy.............gotta have eyes in the back and sides of your head.

Mostly an electric trolling adventure..........at least the ones that catch the most/best fish.......mostly trolling diving baits etc.

[STEINFISHSKI]

Daytime you can troll the open water with the gas motor and planer boards for suspended fish. At night the electric motor will be needed to not spook the fish in the shallow water, and keep the boat along the steep dropoffs. Boards won't be needed either as you will want your rod in hand to keep your lure in the proper depth, and to feel for weeds or the subtle tap of a walleye bite.

Casting you have many opportunities from shore, and with waders you can easily expand your choices. Pick up a copy of the Fall 2008 Great Lakes Angler Magazine as their is a nice piece on tackle, techniques, and lure choices for fishing the drowned rivermouths like Muskegon Lake.

I sold my boat and am always willing to tag along if you ever have room, and enjoy introducing new anglers to this type of fishing. We don't always get them and fishing can really be off for long periods of time, but when you get a bite going, it usually lasts a while and can create some great fishing.

[finlander]

Been out the last two evenings, not til 10:30 last night til 2 am. Cuts in on my beauty sleep. Nothing. I did use the Honda though and could only go down to 2 mph. Left the MinnKota in the cradle. Marked LOTSA bait too. Too much competition. Ready to try inland lakes. Less bait to tempt 'em. First it was alwives, then shad. What else comes in from Lake Michigan??? Still learning...............:dizzy:

[finlander]

After the water warms it is necessary to go to crawlers, using the minnow baits in the spring and fall??:help:

[STEINFISHSKI]

Interestingly it is a well known fact that the spring walleye bite dies as the water temps near 60 degrees and the alewife come into the lake to spawn, which was nearly a month later this year due to the colder than normal spring.

After the wife clear out the summer bite will pick up until the shad spawn, and the salmon run shows up, which also seems to kill the walleye bite. Once the salmon leave are gone the bite generally picks up for the fall again and a pattern can develop.

Your best bet would be very shallow weeds until the salmon are gone. Then it is a water temp game fishing for the resident fish, until the Lake Mi walleyes show up. Once the lake turns over in the fall fish locations can be predicted better and good catches can more easily occur.

There are no set rules as to when and where the fish will be, so it pays to keep trying different depths and locations until active fish are found. It also pays off to work with many people to share reports and results to help zero in on where and when the fish are biting, and this changes like the wind.

All in all this is a very tough lake to fish, and mostly not catching fish. But time spent is at times the only way to ever get in on a good bite out there.

[ALLEYES]

I agree.....Well said Stein.

[drewo]

Many of these guys helped me with this lake too. Though I am still scoring a 0 out there I know the time is coming. I think Steinfishski is right on in saying that its going to take a lot of time not catching eyes on Muskegon before you really get into the bite. We have been doing pretty good on White Lake though. I had two buddies limit out on the eyes on Tuesday night on Muskegon. All were taken on crankbaits in 15 FOW along the usual drops out there. We are going to head out there tonight and I will give a report tomorrow.

As for inland lakes, not sure if you have ever fished Silver or Fremont but I hear they have been doing pretty well there. At least we would not have the smorgasboard of baitfish to compete with as you mentioned.

[sfw1960]

Many of these guys helped me with this lake too. Though I am still scoring a 0 out there I know the time is coming. I think Steinfishski is right on in saying that its going to take a lot of time not catching eyes on Muskegon before you really get into the bite. We have been doing pretty good on White Lake though. I had two buddies limit out on the eyes on Tuesday night on Muskegon. All were taken on crankbaits in 15 FOW along the usual drops out there. We are going to head out there tonight and I will give a report tomorrow.

As for inland lakes, not sure if you have ever fished Silver or Fremont but I hear they have been doing pretty well there. At least we would not have the smorgasboard of baitfish to compete with as you mentioned.

Where's WestLakeDrive when you need him?
:SHOCKED:
Maybe Dan can comment!
:lol:


Never fished that lake before??

would not have the smorgasboard of baitfish to compete with


:lol: :lol: :lol:

RIGHT!!

[wally-eye]

Where's WestLakeDrive when you need him?
:SHOCKED:
Maybe Dan can comment!
:lol:


Never fished that lake before??

would not have the smorgasboard of baitfish to compete with


:lol: :lol: :lol:

RIGHT!!





No baitfish left in the Freek? Hell thats all thats in the lake........no eyes and all baitfish.........lmao.........

SOMEBODY TAKE ME FISHING BEFORE I FLIP A GASKET................:help:

[drewo]

No, I have never fished Fremont... What type of forage is so plentiful there? Funny though because I do hear how well the lake does and was doing not more than a couple weeks ago... Never would have thought you had that to contend with as you do White & Muskegon. I guess thats what I get for assuming things...:sad:

[Jimmy Carl Black]

Many of these guys helped me with this lake too. Though I am still scoring a 0 out there I know the time is coming. I think Steinfishski is right on in saying that its going to take a lot of time not catching eyes on Muskegon before you really get into the bite.

I don't have a problem not catching fish for a while if it helps me to understand the water, the fish and my boat a little better.

[finlander]

Anyone know if there are docks at the two launches there? I have never seen it. I'll have to look and see if it is on my Lowrance card. It is closer tham Silver Lake anyway. I think I can talk uncle into running up there Tuesday. Thanks.

[syonker]

2 public launches on Fremont Lake.

1 on the SE end & the other at the NE end.

The SE launch is operated by Sheridan Township & is down/behind the township offices on 64th Street. A fee is required for launching. Lots of parking at this launch

The NE launch is operated by the City of Fremont on Cottage Grove/Park Street which is less than a mile from M-82/Main Street. A small sign by Gerber products will point you to the launch. Parking is limited at this launch to about 8 rigs. I know this ramp has a dock for certain.

Tough lake to troll IMO. Lots of curves in the dropoffs, so you need to be constantly watching your sonar.

Pike can be a "problem" too.

I heard that the more successful folks only fish the lake during the full moon phase.

[Westlakedrive]

There is a fee for launching at the south launch?
I did not know that.

Threre are docks at both launches. Havent launched at the south but it has to be as good as the north launch.

I might make it out this weekend but not a lot as there is a lot of work to do.

As for baitfish on the Freek there are many and sometimes its hard to compete with a million and a half 4 inch perch. For some reason though I still never have good luck with perch colored baits. The perch seem a little pale colored ie golden (hint).

As for Fremont, Muskegon, White still pretty warm on all of them need some cool nights.