Muskrat Fishing...

Post by **Mr.Tackle** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:07 am

Just wondering if anyone is planning on fishing on muskrat lake this thursday? I'm new to the ice fishing and this will be my first time out. I have an auger and my own gear. Just wondering if anyone would be up for joining me as I'm a litlle nervous being my first time. Not to sure about ice conditions and all that safety stuff. If not does anyone have any comments on the ice conditions or good spots? I've heard by the boat launch is good. Also is there a tackle shop in cobden? Thanks guys hope I hear back from someone. Happy Fishin!!!!

Nathan.

Post by **bradford2** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:51 pm

Nathan there isn't too much to worry about in terms of ice on the lake. Lots of trucks all over the place.

Lots of shacks too! In general you should find some sort of fish close to any of the concentrations of shacks.....

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:00 pm

We were bombing down the river yesterday. If the Mississippi in Bennies Corners is solid enough to hold a groomer than your good to go!!!

J

Post by **Mr.Tackle** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:42 pm

Thanks guys I'll try by some of the shacks and see if I have any luck.

Post by **ottis** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:00 pm

no bait shop, renfrew or pembroke

Post by **Fish'n Buddy** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:24 pm

Hey hope you have some begginers luck! if your not fishing in a hut, my best advice is to keep moving if your not getting bites...even if its only 10 ft one way or another, try different depths until you find where they are!
or else you could end up having a boring, cold first time out, and trust me, theres lots of those!
good fishin

Post by **Mr.Tackle** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:06 pm

Hey fish'n Buddy thanks for the advice...its much appreciated. Just a quick question though...you mention if I'm not in a hut to keep moving otherwise I might have a pretty boring time. What happens if you are in a hut and your getting no bites!!!! You could essentially spend the whole season skunked. Maybe I'm missing something, I'm not sure.
But thanks for the advice...I bought myself a Swede Bore hand auger and am pretty eager so I dont mind doing a bit of drilling!!! Thanks again!!!

Post by **beachburger** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:12 pm

If you are in Pembroke, I noticed some shacks on the river out in front of the Miramichi Lodge. Stop by Allan's Bait and Tackle on Christie St for some minnows (he has lots) and park your stool/bucket out by the shacks.

Post by **Mr.Tackle** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:40 pm

Hey beachburger are you from pembroke??? I've been warned against going on the river as ice conditions can be a little dubious, but seeing as though we've had so much cold weather maybe I'll giv'er a try. Thanks for the info.

Post by **beachburger** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:00 pm

I'm not from Pembroke but I spend quite a bit of time in the area.

Yes you do need to be careful with the ice on the Ottawa but if the big sheds have been towed out on the ice, you're good to head out to the shacks with your bucket of gear. Just don't stray too far off the beaten path and it's probably best not to go alone. If you are nervous about the ice, get a pair of hand picks and a whistle. It you are really nervous, add a survival suit.

Ask Al at Allan's Bait and Tackle for the best place to get out onto the ice in front of the Miramachi Lodge.

Post by **Buckshot** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:38 pm

One thing to think of on Muskrat is that if you are in a group of shacks and they are in 60 to 100 ft of water most people there are actualy fishing smelt. (Ottawa Valley/Muskrat Lake Tradition) they will pick up the odd laker while they are smelt fishing.

The perch fishing can be excellent but they are a bit gruby.

Walleye fishing is first and last ice kind of thing. Hydro bay in the early part of year.

Question has anyone found the crappie in the lake. there is reports of good #'s but i havent keyed in on them yet.

The huts in pembroke that you see. some of them dont even drill holes it is the Pembroke tradition to "shiver on the River" it is a real social place. The fishing is no hell.

i wouldnt take a vehicle past the plowed ice road and i would only walk 200 to 300 yards past the ice road. the further that you go out you get into the main current and yes the ice is bad.

Goood luck,

Alan at the bait shop will steer you straight and so will Dennis at Dennis bait on round lake road.

Post by **Fish'n Buddy** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:27 pm

haha tricky question!

well I guess what I'm sayin is some of us have a tendancy to get big , heavy, but warm and comfortable huts out there on the ice, and when the wood stove is goin, and its minus 30 outside, people don't seem to mind gettin' skunked....but personally I have a problem and I run around like an iddiot in minus 30 drillin holes till I catch fish

Huts are the best though, thats half the fun hangin out with the guys/gals and tellin fishin' stories, stayin warm and when you catch a fish its even better!

Post by **Fish'n Buddy** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:30 pm

I think Buckshot is the man to listen to though

I havin't ever fished muskrat

sounds like a good spot though, is that up by cobden?

Post by **valley_boy** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:34 pm

You can fish down by the waterfront in pembroke no problem. A few guys actually plow a road out on the ice so you can drive your car out. I was out there with a buddy on the week end for the first time and the walleye bite was pretty good!

Post by **Raminator** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:54 pm

yes,muskrat is in cobden.