Mooneye

Post by **katch moore** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:37 am

So I've been fishing this one spot within walking distance from my house and I go there for carp and catfish in the earlier part of spring.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to go there almost every day, it's 5 minutes from home and I do farely well. usually close to 30 fish every outing!!

Last year I did really well for size of fish, but this year it seems like it's a numbers years. This is a great spot for cat's and carp's. This year though I caught 3 unwanted species, 2 of them them only one outing and one of each, one small mouth bass and one dink of a walleye. but the other one is a first for me. Mooneye.

the other day while fishing there with Tip-up, what seemed like a school of Mooneye moved into our zone. it lasted only couple minutes, but they were there. They are pretty cool looking fish, with nice little teeth in their mouths.

So what's the deal with them. I tried to find info in the reg book. but can't seem to find them. they look like some fine musky bait.

i know it's not in the Baitfish list, so it's not permitted to use as bait fish, but what does the MNR consider mooneye as? are they an invasive species???

anyways any info or stories about moon eye, please share!!

thanks!

Post by **fishboch** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:51 am

Don't know what the regs are about catching or using mooneye as bait but they are a primary forage for musky. If you can find a school of mooneye, cast or troll around them and you are bound to tie into some nice skies.

Post by **Eli** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:07 am

katch moore wrote: i know it's not in the Baitfish list, so it's not permitted to use as bait fish, but what does the MNR consider mooneye as? are they an invasive species???

Mooneye are native. I've caught a few of them on the Ottawa in the spring. They love gold panther martin spinners.

Post by **Maple** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:12 am

Mooneye.

Considered a nuisance fish, not a game fish, therefore no limit, no season.

Not uncommon in the Ottawa river and area. Rather soft mouthed and hard to bring to the boat. Bleed like a stuck pig when caught. Scales fly all over the place.

Never ate one, but they remind me of Winnipeg Goldeye, which are delicious when smoked, although they are hard to lite.

Maple

Post by **Fishtraks** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:21 am

Seems musky do indeed go for mooneye. For more info on mooneye check out this link
http://www.ottawavalleymuskieclub.com/P ... nacks.html
There's a slide on mooneye with info on it's habits etc.
Go get 'em. cheers, fishtraks.

Post by **katch moore** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:30 am

SWEET!!

thanks guys for the help!!

but you still can't use them as musky bait, right????

Post by **Todd B.** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:33 am

correct....NOT a legal baitfish.

Post by **Pints** » Thu May 07, 2009 3:00 pm

Honest officer, I was only taking my pet fish for a swim, when this big ole mean muskie ate him.

Post by **CLofchik** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:33 am

Chunks of mooneye make great catfish bait.

Post by **fenderbender** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:39 pm

They did some research on them a few years ago. They are native and they are related to the goldeye.

Post by **katch moore** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:12 pm

well i managed to get back out tonight with my brother, who is not a member of the board, and we caught a couple fish.

my brothers first fish was a 3 foot sturgeon. we were going for cats and carp again at this same spot.

no mooneye tonight, but lots of nice cats and a bonus sturgeon!!

Post by **KINGYAK** » Sun May 10, 2009 6:40 am

Your daily fishing story for carp and catfish is very similar to my routeen. However I am not catching many fish. This week I only caught one catfish. Can you share some insight as to what you are using for bait. I have been fishing early morning and using beef liver. Any advise would be appreciated.

Post by **katch moore** » Sun May 10, 2009 6:55 am

yeah this one spot is great for cats and carp. it's near a mouth of a creek, and we cast out as far as we can.

three way swivel, decent weight, and a hook. and you're in business, just add a piece of worm. i like to thread the worm, stays on longer and looks better.

time to fish, anytime of the day. though most of my outings were from 5 to 7 in the evening.

good luck!!!

we went out this morning from 530 to 730 and only 2 fish caught. the water looks like chocolate milk on a bad day. and the wind was too strong.

most days we get about 30 fish in a 2 and half hour outing. mostly cats in the 3+ lb pound range.

that sturgeon though was cool!!

Fish-Hawk.Net

Mooneye

Mooneye

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Mooneye