Questions for Georgian Bay anglers

[Midnight Stalker]

Well I live in Toronto and have been fishing for muskies mostly in the Kawartha area but have just purchased a new boat and am planning on going up to Georgian Bay this season and try getting on some real brutes. I have a couple of questions and hoping someone might be able to answer them.

Georgian Bay is a big body of water is there some area to avoid where there are absolutely no muskies (only pike)?

I’m into casting rather trolling so is there an area that I would benefit from?

What baits seems to work(other than live bait)? I’m into using surface baits how do they hold up?

Any other information or links to sites with info on Georgian Bay muskie action would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Kyle Garon]

I have fished the bay since the beginning of my fishing career, so really it is all I know. Up untill a few years ago I never really discussed musky fishing with any other avid musky fisherman. Then I joined musky Canada and started to show some pictures, and guys who were fishing well known, huge portions of the bay were amazed at some of my photo's which were from a crack of a river in comparison to say honey harbour. So to answer your first question I think that there are Dozens of river systems on the bay that have not even seen a musky lure, or serious angler EVER! So no one really knows how good they really are. I think a muskie can be caught out of almost any portion of the bays shore line (eastern) The key is to look at the big picture in an area, not just one structure but a hole series of structures that will draw muskies in. Weather it be spawning grounds or food, usually good spots have both also access to deep water. Now, deep water is relative to the surrounding water, my favorite spot is only about 30 feet deep and most structures top off at nine. Where you can go to McGregor Bay and be casting over a 30 foot hump that has 90ft surrounding it. And yes all your typical muskie lures work. The bay is very complex I suggest picking an area and learning everything there is to know about that area and that could take a lifetime, enjoy. I personally have never fished some of the more popular waters on the bay (moon river) I seak areas that have never seen a muskie lure, this takes time but the payoffs are huge, finding un pressured fish is unbelivable. The bay is a big task but take it one step at a time and you will find success. Hire a guide to get the feel and a quality map is a MUST, you will pay if you dont know the depth of your water

catch a slob Kyle

[Bruce]

How/where can I obtain a good map of McGregor Bay and the surrounding areas?? I'm hoping for a Sept. trip to Birch Island area. I don't have a clue what is there. Will I have to wait till I get there to purchase a map?? Thanks in advance.

[jyoung]

I also am going to moon river the first week and a half of sept. and just recieved my maps the other day from Bill hamblin he is an athorized map dealer, You can contact him by phone, his # is (519)576-6255 He has several different maps for georgian bay. Just give him a call and he will set you up.
Good hunting,Jeff <><

[Walt.C.]

Bruce, I am going to Birch Island Lodge in late june. I will be fishing Mcgregor Bay. I have been there four times so far. Email me and I will fill you in on what I have found works and where.
Email: wclinans@yahoo.com
Walt Clinansmith.Michigan Muskie Alliance-Muskies INC.#47

[Georgianbay Packer]

The bay has many areas that work for casting. Concentrate on river mouth areas and the river itself in areas such as Shawanaga, French, Byng, Charles/Naiscoot, Moon, etc.

We have raised & caught/released a surprising number of nice fish casting some of these areas.

You must be willing to explore & spend a lot of time on the water.

Good luck

[Dougie]

The Bay is such a huge body of water that casting is a fairly low percentage approach, unless dealing with an area that you know holds fish. Trolling at a good clip with a basic selection of plugs in the 8" to 12" inch range allows you to cover water effectively and find specific areas that can be worked more thoroughly. Another key point, if fishing shoals, is the character of the shoal. There are literally millions of shoals on the Bay, most consisting of a bald hump of granite that holds nothing. The type of shoals you are looking for are from 30 to 5 feet in 'topping off' depth, and consisting of a mixture sand, gravel, and boulders, with perhaps some weeds. This holds true for muskies, pike, bass, pickerel, perch, etc. Try the open water around the shoals, keeping at the same depth for suspended fish, if the shoal itself isn't producing. Good Luck.