Kawartha Musky


The fish of 10, 000 casts….
Those of us lucky enough to fish the Kawarthas, may disagree with this “myth”
These chain of lakes are easily accessible to anglers, and offer some of the best Musky fishing in the world. Musky season opens June 1st in the kawarthas and goes until November. Early and late in the season is know to be the best chance, for it is when these fish are most active.
Chances of  hooking into one of these fierce predators of freshwater in the kawarthas may be the best odds you’ll find, compared to anywhere else that holds Musky… although the size may not match other places, the numbers are extraordinary, and there are 50 plus inch monsters to be caught… Multi Musky days are not uncommon and double digit days can be had!

Scugog, Buckhorn, Pigeon, Balsam, Rice, and Sturgeon Lake are just a few of the lakes that are worth exploring and will give you a good shot at catching one of these so called elusive gamefish. Like most anglers already know, patience and persistence play a key role in fishing for Musky.
You could go out for 6 hours and catch 3 Musky… all of those fish may come in the last hour of the day however.

Kawartha Muskys are for the most part eager to show interest in most presentations that match the local forage in the area. Ive caught some of my biggest Musky on Bass lures and simple presentations…. Just make sure to have a wire, or heavy flourocarbon leader, as it dosen’t take much for a Musky to break your line due to their set of teeth… Bass anglers get bit off in tournaments constantly in the kawarthas, which has caused a bit of a bad rap for these fish on a tournament basis.

Muskys love the weedbeds, and these spots are a good spot to start for the beginner.  Throw a Spinnerbait, Bucktail, Minnow bait, or jig tipped with your favourite plastic in and around the weedbeds and you have a good chance at getting bit. Get a rod that can handle these fish also…. Something with a backbone that can pull these fish out of the weeds with a good reel to go with it….. A good bait cast reel with a Medium - Heavy Rod that’s 7 to 9 feet in length will help you considerably while casting some of the BIG Musky baits that are on the market… as well as help you fight the fish.
Most of the local tackle shops are willing to help you out and point you in the right direction. The best advice is to ask someone experienced in Musky fishing to teach you the basics.

Next time your heading out and  want to catch the “Big One” that dident get away… give Musky fishing a shot. Bring a big net, and a good attitude and your chances are better here than anywhere else. Also remember to bring a good set of pliers with you for you don’t want to get your hands anywhere near there teeth!
Handle Musky as little as possible and release them quickly after a photo for these fish are a lot more sensitve to rough handling than most fish….

Give Musky fishing a shot next time your out,  and you may be in for a BIG surprise! Good luck on the water and Tight Lines al Always!