UTERMuskellunge fishing in New York freshwater
In New York freshwater, muskellunge peak April and June–July and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. October: Chautauqua Lake fall muskie.
Chautauqua Lake fall muskie.
Muskellunge in New York freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilSpawning
- MayAround
- JunePeak
- JulyPeak
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeakChautauqua Lake fall muskie.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish muskellunge near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain
Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).
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 New York freshwater?
Peak season is April and June–July and September–November, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Muskellunge are here year-round. October: Chautauqua Lake fall muskie.
Where do muskellunge hold in New York freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, river — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.
What is the best bait for muskellunge in New York freshwater?
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.
What are the rules for muskellunge in New York freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.
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All about muskellunge · New York fresh water, the whole year