Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Early November
With November's arrival, an above average stretch of weather continues to heavily influence fishing in the Northwoods. Water temps are not dropping as they normally would at this time of year, so the muskies are still being caught shallow. Although shallow fishing has been good, fish seem to be scattered for the most part into different areas of the water column, so a variation of presentations have been productive to get a musky on the hook.
Great presentations to consider will the water temps are still mild would be Toothy Tuff shallow version, along with Shallow Medussas and Shallow Bulldawgs. These soft plastics have a slower sink rate, and get you amazing hang time, critical for the slower moving hawgs this time of the year!
As for live bait, mid sized wild musky suckers are available and have also been producing, often after muskies are drawn in by an artificial lure presentation. Guides are finding that sometimes the only way to get land their muskies are by providing them with the extra enticement of live bait soaking off the side of the boat. Many times you can draw them in with various soft plastics or cranks, but it's the live bait they mostly want to hit.
Walleye have generally been noted off of deep on rocks in our Northwood's lakes. Fishing live minnows such as walleye suckers seems to be working best. Walleye suckers can be purchased in-store for those traveling throughout the area.
Panfish continue to be caught shallow in the dying weeds, in the 6 to 8 foot range. Also, try downed timber to locate many of our favorite species. Mepps Dressed Aglias (size 2-4) are a favorite for hooking into panfish, slow rolling away from structure or shoreline makes them irresistible.
Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Musky Shop
