UTERMuskellunge fishing in Lake Huron
In Lake Huron, muskellunge are on May–November, spawning in May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Crawler harnesses on the Saginaw Bay flats; lakers on the Thunder Bay reefs.
Fall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
Muskellunge in Lake Huron, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MaySpawningBay walleye trolling begins; lake trout shallow off Alpena. Crawler harnesses on the Saginaw Bay flats; lakers on the Thunder Bay reefs.
- JunePeakSmallmouth beds on Drummond and Les Cheneaux; St. Clair muskie opens. Tubes on the gravel for smallmouth; big bucktails on the St. Clair weed edges.
- JulyPeakSummer walleye and St. Clair muskie. Troll Saginaw Bay's outer reefs; Atlantic salmon and pinks at the St. Marys Rapids.
- AugustPeakWalleye on the bay, lake trout deep, kings stage. Downriggers off Harrisville and Oscoda for kings and lakers.
- SeptemberPeakKings and Atlantics up the rivers; perch on the bay. Au Sable and Thunder Bay River runs; jumbo perch on Saginaw Bay's outer flats.
- OctoberPeakFall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish muskellunge near Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin
Saginaw Bay — one of the great walleye and perch fisheries in the country — the rocky Thunder Bay and Drummond Island shoals for lake trout and smallmouth, the Au Sable and Rifle river runs, and Lake St. Clair, the shallow weedy world-class water for muskie and smallmouth between Huron and Erie.
Fish Scouter charts 324 lake, 86 reservoir spots in the Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair map area — the kinds muskellunge hold on.
What to use for muskellunge
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 38–82°F water, best at 55–75°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch muskellunge in Lake Huron?
Peak season is May–November, with fish spawning in May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Muskellunge are in Lake Huron May–November.
Where do muskellunge hold in Lake Huron?
Look on lake, river — around Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin, Oscoda, Alpena, Rogers City.
What is the best bait for muskellunge in Lake Huron?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners). Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
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All about muskellunge · Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair, the whole year