As some of you already know, I'm pretty new to Muskie fishing. Last season was my first serious one and I think I did pretty well.
While fishing today I ran in to an old guy I know on the lake. He (Bob) is about 90 years old and his father was a Muskie guide in the Hayward, WI. area many moons ago.
Bob told me that his father wouldn't bother fishing in a north wind. That got me thinking that I really don't understand how the weather affects Muskies locations or feeding patterns.

Does anyone have any insight on this subject? Most of my fish have been caught in the middle of the day, mostly sunny skies and relatively warm temps. I haven't yet paid any attention to the moon because I don't understand its affects.

I fish from shore in really shallow water. I use a lot of topwaters, mostly Jackpot styles and floating gliders. I choose the colors according to the sky rather than the water clarity but it's more of a gut instinct than knowledge based.

I've had weeks of not even seeing a fish and days with 20+ follows. There has to be some logical reason behind that.
If anyone knows the answers (since Bob's dad isn't around to ask) I'd appreciate some of your wisdom.


Thanks,
Johnny

When it comes to wind, every lake is different. You can usually find a fish to bite in almost any wind type, just might have to try different areas and techniques. On little lake that I fish never seems to have fish on the windy side of the lake. If the wind is blowing and it doesnt matter the direction, the calm side is the place to be. This is generally different from all other lakes I fish. What happened is that once a north wind came, the fish did something the old guy couldn't figure out.

As for the moon phases, they are more prominent if you were near the coasts. You have an AM and PM major and minor which are low and high tides. Fish activity seems to pick up around those times on a pretty consistent basis. There is also moon rise and set which also seems to increase activity. Just learn those times and try to be on a good spot and not running in between spots at those times.

Thanks for the tips Vinje.
I fished all afternoon today and didn't see a Muskie. I suppose I was in the wrong spots, doing the wrong things or both.
I did have a nice smallmouth hit a big jointed swim bait I got from Fred McClintock. That was the only excitement of the day.

Thanks again,
Johnny