The muskies are mad as hell and they`re not going to take it anymore. They`re hot and taking revenge on noisy surface baits on lakes throughout the Eagle River area of northern Wisconsin.
Hot weather is putting muskies in a terrible mood and making them
”gnarly,” says George Langley, of Eagle Sports. Right now they are motivated by anger rather than hunger, causing them to take aggressive strikes at floating surface baits. ”These are not eating hits. Anglers are getting vicious hits,” says Langley of the muskies` assertive behavior.
Although muskies are usually sought by anglers specifically hunting for them, Langley encourages even the average angler to seek out muskies on the chain right now. He recommends top-water baits-making sure hooks are sharpened-in weeds of 78- to 79-degree water, day or night. A noisy bait running over a muskie`s head gets the fish`s attention, causing a ferocious strike. ”They want them out of there,” says Langley.
The entire Eagle River chain is currently producing muskies, but Langley points out Cranberry Lake as well as Twin and Island lakes on the Three Lakes Chain as muskie hotspots. Unlike its effect on muskies, the hot weather has turned off walleye, though some are being taken in deep water on Butternut Lake.
Kentucky Lake continues to produce abundant crappie catches in 10-12 feet of water.
