Muskie hunting from a canoe

Post by **Kpin** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:00 am

Will be heading out Tues. for a fish via canoe. Anybody have any ideas about locations that are accessible and waters calm enough for a canoe for hunting muskies, within an hr from Ottawa? Now, I'm not asking for your hot spots gang but a nudge in the general direction would be greatly appreciated as both myself and the other fisherman are muskie virgins still. Responses and PM's as always, appreciated. Thanks all!

Post by **Tip-up** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:09 am

Skies in a canoe......possible...........not smart though

Post by **Rob** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:33 am

Not to burst your bubble here Kpin, but I would agree with Tip-up and unless it's one big-butt, motor driven, wide canoe, I would not even consider it. This time of year weather can turn ugly very quickly and unless you are in a small bay or simular, you can get yourself into hole heep of trouble as the rollers can get to be quite large

. Saftey should be the first thing on the list.

I've been on the Ottawa R. alot this year and there is almost always a fairly strong wind blowing. You may want to consider the Rideau R, when weather blows in, cover is not far away.

Post by **BrettM** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 10:24 am

I hear that the Jock River holds 'Skis. Not sure exactly where, but I think I remember hearing by Twin Elm?

Good Luck,

Brett

Post by **wolfe** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 1:11 pm

Kpin,

best of luck, but the only advice, or at least heads-up, I can give you is that you might have some difficulty in the the landing and release of the muskie out of a canoe. This being because you haven't gotten one yet, and I find that I'm still learning how to properly handle the ones I'm getting -- and they're not even that big.

Are you planning on unhooking them boatside (canoeside!) ? Or taking them in? Because that could be tricky.

Have a blast, but be safe!

W.

Post by **Kpin** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:15 pm

Txs for the replies so far gang. I'm aware of the water and weather, thats why I'd prefer calm, easily navigable waters. From reports I've read, I know a musky could be a great fight. So, the big girls would be cut loose if not possible to land and others that can be handled from something as unstable as a canoe would be released boatside, (but with it being the fish of a thousand casts, I'd be happy just to nail one). Its really not about the size, its more about catching a dif species. The Tues. trip has been postponed but we will be making an attempt asap. So I do appreciate all your advice and suggestions.

Post by **Rob** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 3:08 pm

Not to sound cruel here Kpin,I would suggest that you and your fishing partner get a muskie charter and pay very close attention to everything, and ask a bizillion questions in order to be properly educated on all aspects of muskie fishing before venturing out on your own

. Don't just get a charter that only troll's, learn the casting side of it also. Learn everything you can about how to land and handle the fish. Make sure that you have the proper equipment before going out muskie fishing yourself. If you do decide to give it a go yourselve's, Make sure you have a very large net or cradle. Proper rod, reel, line, and leader selection would also be a must, so you don't have to cut a fish loose or have an unnescessary break off's with the hook still in it's mouth

...

I love hearing about someone locking into there first muskie, best of luck to you

. Be forwarned though, muskie fishing is very addictive and can become very hard on the wallet

Post by **wolfe** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 7:46 pm

Kpin,

one more thing, and it's probably a no brainer, but nevertheless...

a needlenose pliers is a must and perhaps a metal (hook) cutter, too.

And HOF is right: it's definitely addictive!!

Hope you can get out for muskies soon and have some success with them this season.

W.

Post by **Mr.J.** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:27 pm

kpin

Are you sure you are ready for this in a canoe?

She's a 42 incher and I have to tell you that hunting musky in a canoe is something else.

Are you paying attention Wolfe?

Please note something, kingmann and myself are experienced in a canoe, take note of his position, he is kneeling in the canoe, take this as good advice, kneeling will keep you guys dry.

Post by **jbarker** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:42 pm

There is a lake in chalk river that has a decent musky population and isn't all that big. It is called corry lake and I have fished it from a canoe before. The musky aren't big in there but the bass are. You could probably get a few musky in the 3 to 10 pound range but there are some big ones in there. I just fish the shorlines with white soft plastic jerkbaits. gets bass and musky. I know it is a little more than an hour from Ottawa but it is a good choice.

Post by **Muskiemagnet** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:46 pm

The Jock is perfect for Muskie fishing from a canoe. Launch off Steeple HIll rd. Anywhere between Richmond and Moodie Dr. has lots of Muskie. If you get a big one on just go to shore.

Post by RJ » Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:18 pm

Jock does have a fishable population of skies....I grew up out that way and had my share of them from shore...

What you will find with them is that the Jock muskies are very underfed....very thin.....and almost gaunt looking...there just isn't enough bait for them to fat up.....still fun though!

All the above suggestions are great......one thing I will add is....do not cut loose a fish just because you don't think you can land it in a canoe...take it shore....do anything but cut it loose.....

Take care of em.....the Jock isn't the healthiest body of water...they are probably struggling to survive as it is....swimming around with a hook and 30 feet of line won't help em much....

Good Luck out there!

RJ

Post by **joco** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:48 pm

HI KPIN

here some great fishing site,in canoe or kayak,,,,,,,

fishyak.com
kayakfishingstuff.com
allkayakfishing.com
paddle-fishing.com
fishingkayaks.net
yakfishing.comkayak4fish.com
kayaksportfishing.com
paddlezone.net
kayakfishing.com
texaskayakfisherman.com
kayakfishermanmagazine.com
kayakfish.com
paddling.net,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
orca.on.ca
myccr.com......................great site to see some local spots,,,,

riversmallies.com

there tons off great fishing site,,,,,to fish in kayak or canoe,,,,

ITS a big trend right now in the south,,,,,,,they even go for baracuda,,,little sharks,,,,,just everything,,,,,,,

there is a great article in that subject,in the magasine,,,,,,,,,,,,off sumer
adventure kayak,,,,

its call,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,kayak fishing for musky,,,,,,,,they takl bout a bit about the guy catching a 11 foot 256 pound trasher shark frome a kayak,,,

,,,,,,,,,,,

the 4 page story on musky fishing in canoe/kayak is on the petawawa river,,,,,,lake travers.mcmannus lake,,,,,,,,little thompson rapids,,,, all in the algonquin park,,,,,,

if you have a quebec license,? pm me,,,,,,,,,,,have some little lake you could try in a canoe,,,,,,,,there some nice bass and musky,,,,,,and there small anaught,,,,,,,for canoe,,,and there about 25 minutes frome hull,,,

BUT wtch out,,,,,,,for cold water,or dont think about gething a 15 pound musky betwen your leg in your canoe,,,,,

mabe you could put some outriger on your canoe,,,that a great tools to help you on windy day,,,,

pm me,,,,,,,,,,,,,might get sick,for a day,,,,,,to go try this,,,

send us some picture body,,,,,

joco

Post by **Yankee** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:34 pm

Good luck Kpin. I don't know any areas around Ottawa. But I just started fishing from a canoe this year myself. It's a beautiful Old Town C160 Predator.

Someone told me......if your fishing from a canoe and it's big then beach it. My wife caught this big pike back in September and I wasn't about to bring it in the canoe. We beached it. Best advice I could have gotten.

Post by **wolfe** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:20 pm

Holy crow, Yankee, that's a beautiful, behemoth pike!

W.