Is there still time left?

[Paul]

I was planning to go muskie fishing on Twenty-Six lake in burnett county next friday for muskies and was wondering if it would be worth it. Do muskies still bite this late? If they do what lures or rigs would work for this very late season?

Thanks Paul

[Jim McCullough]

Paul,

In fact, the closer you get to ice up, the better the fishing gets. Some guys have been known to turn their boats into ice breakers just to get that one last trip in. Get out there and catch a hawg! Oh, and welcome to Muskie Central, I hope you stick around. :)

[HerbB]

Muskies bite well until ice up. Sure wish I had time to get out again and the boat wasn't stored away for the winter. Didn't expect this nice weather and its hunting season.:) I'd try a variety of baits and try a lot of different cover and areas until I found a pattern. The fish can be anywhere this time of year, but are usually associated with rocks or sharp drop-offs and thats where I'd start.

Baits to try: I'd start with a slowly worked jerk-bait like a Suick, Reefhawg or Phantom if you have one. Be versatile and observant. Depending on the weather, you might get into some good action in the shallows. Also, look for spawning baitfish and, if nothing else, try locate schools of baitfish in open water or over reefs and send jigs or diving or sinking crank-baits down to them. Sometimes just drifting over the bait fish while slowly pumping a good sized jig, (3/8 to 1 oz), tipped with a large double-tail, Reeper, or Sassy Shad can be affective. I usually try to get the bait just under the baitfish to make for an easy target for a suspending Muskie or large Northern.

Just my thoughts. Good luck. Hope you catch a hawg.

[DHardy]

Paul-

Have you ever fished 26? The only reason I as is with the brutal severity of the launch I wonder if there is any ice if you could get your boat out there. It is one of those deals where you have to back your truck all the way down until the entire thing is in the water... the water comes up just to the top of the wheels. That being said... if you can get out then GO. It is never to late to catch fish anywhere until the authorities say so... like Dec. 1 in WI.

Dan