|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 4, 2021 8:05:43 GMT -5
I'm heading to Bruce Lake in a little over a week. I've never been there before and I'm looking forward to the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions, advice or just general information I should know before I go?
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Jul 4, 2021 10:37:47 GMT -5
I've not fished that lake for a couple years, but used to fish it frequently. It's a good bluegill and crappie lake, and they also have a pretty decent population of stocked muskies.
Used to do pretty well catching crappie in the deep areas after dark using minnows under a lantern and / submersible lights. Bluegill usually aren't too hard to find. Will probably be 10' or deeper mid summer, slip bobber rig with bee moth is typically the ticket.
The little tavern (Kibitzers) in nearby Kewanna has good sandwiches and fried chicken. Good luck !
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 4, 2021 13:51:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I'd really REALLY love to catch a few musky. I've been looking at some musky bait's all day
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 4, 2021 17:52:55 GMT -5
Wow, musky bait's can get expensive.
|
|
|
Post by deadeer on Jul 4, 2021 21:56:15 GMT -5
Wow, musky bait's can get expensive. Probably dont have to buy regulation musky baits. Your heart (or tackle) might not be able to take it if you hooked a 45" one. Lol. Not speaking from musky experience, but I have caught a couple 30 some inch pike on bass crankbaits that left my dad and me speechless.
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Jul 5, 2021 11:03:00 GMT -5
Catch a couple small bluegill and put them on a big hook under a bobber. Just might work.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jul 5, 2021 21:09:46 GMT -5
Catch a couple small bluegill and put them on a big hook under a bobber. Just might work. Bass work best!
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 8, 2021 7:14:08 GMT -5
I ended up getting a couple good deals on some a couple bucktails, a couple bull dawgs and a whopper plopper.
A guy told me yesterday that you're not suppose to catch or fish for musky when water temps are above 65°-70°. He said their survivability rate is too low then. He also told me that the locals at Bruce Lake will run me off the water if they catch me fishing for musky in the summertime.
I'm still going. Lol!
I've been reading up on Webster Lake too. I may plan a trip up that way next.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 8, 2021 7:18:36 GMT -5
I have done SOME reading on warm water muskies but, I haven't found a definite answer. There are arguments both sides of the aisle.
I'll look into a little more.
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Jul 8, 2021 9:28:21 GMT -5
Any fish, big or small caught in hot water is stressed. Less O2 in warm water - surface water temps in S. Illinois on Tuesday were 87°F. It took me 2 hours to temper fish in the tanks before I could stock them in the ponds. Go ahead and fish, but the faster you can get the fish to the boat and release it the better, but there isn't any law against catching and keeping the muskie. So you can fight it as long as you want if you are going to catch and keep it. They eat fine, just like a Northern.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 8, 2021 18:38:40 GMT -5
Any fish, big or small caught in hot water is stressed. Less O2 in warm water - surface water temps in S. Illinois on Tuesday were 87°F. It took me 2 hours to temper fish in the tanks before I could stock them in the ponds. Go ahead and fish, but the faster you can get the fish to the boat and release it the better, but there isn't any law against catching and keeping the muskie. So you can fight it as long as you want if you are going to catch and keep it. They eat fine, just like a Northern. That statement pretty much sums up the middle of the aisle. I definitely plan on making a quick reel in and release. There's a chance I may keep one. I love northern pike so I guess I'd like muskie as well. Thanks for the input
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Jul 8, 2021 20:13:21 GMT -5
Guys complain when people keep them. So what I say. The state puts a daily bag limit on them, AND fish get hook shy the more times they are caught. If you weren't supposed to keep ANY the state wouldn't have a bag limit on them.
Tell anyone that complains if you keep one that the next one you want to keep you will throw back if they will pay for a taxidermy mount of it once you have the length/girth dimensions and a few pictures to have the colors and paint scheme correct. If they say they won't pay for it then tell them tough dog poop, I'm keeping it.
|
|
|
Post by treetop on Jul 8, 2021 20:18:47 GMT -5
I ended up getting a couple good deals on some a couple bucktails, a couple bull dawgs and a whopper plopper. A guy told me yesterday that you're not suppose to catch or fish for musky when water temps are above 65°-70°. He said their survivability rate is too low then. He also told me that the locals at Bruce Lake will run me off the water if they catch me fishing for musky in the summertime. I'm still going. Lol! I've been reading up on Webster Lake too. I may plan a trip up that way next. Webster is a very good lake for them it just may of been me but I had better luck on that lake spring and fall
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jul 8, 2021 20:35:46 GMT -5
If anyone tries to run you off a call to DNR is in order for fisherman harassment! I wouldn't sweat it!
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Jul 8, 2021 23:43:38 GMT -5
If anyone tries to run you off a call to DNR is in order for fisherman harassment! I wouldn't sweat it! And get the registration numbers on the boat so you can have them available for the call IF you have to make one.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Jul 9, 2021 6:10:11 GMT -5
I'm planning on having a great trip and I'm not going to let discouraging comments keep me home. If I run into an issue in the water I'll address it accordingly. However, the only problem I would like to have is muscle cramps from reeling in all sorts of fish and not having enough room in my live wells😎
|
|
|
Post by deadeer on Jul 9, 2021 6:27:53 GMT -5
I'm planning on having a great trip and I'm not going to let discouraging comments keep me home. If I run into an issue in the water I'll address it accordingly. However, the only problem I would like to have is muscle cramps from reeling in all sorts of fish and not having enough room in my live wells😎 Cool, good luck.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jul 9, 2021 9:55:31 GMT -5
I'm planning on having a great trip and I'm not going to let discouraging comments keep me home. If I run into an issue in the water I'll address it accordingly. However, the only problem I would like to have is muscle cramps from reeling in all sorts of fish and not having enough room in my live wells😎 Dont lip em!
|
|