Actually though, there is a period in the late spring when the big female Muskies are just as vulnerable. The only difference is fall fish typically weigh more thus adding to the reputation of the fall producing the year's biggest Muskies. However, with faster warming water of spring this window of big fish opportunity is often quite narrow as compared to fall months. Closely watching water temperatures on different lakes can extend this period of activity for you. Last season this pattern produced big fish for me in northern Wisconsin during the beginning of June, also as late as mid-July in Canada. Water temperature is your key to big fish movements in the spring. Right after Musky spawn, they usually stay around in the shallows to recover from the ordeals of spawning. However, as the water temperatures get around the 60 degree mark or slightly over, they may start to move a little deeper. Usually, the first available good green weed edge along a break line either in or just outside the spawning area will be their next stop. Although they still may not be really active, they are usually catchable by using slower presentations that present them with the illusion of an easy meal. Big fish may hold in an area like this for an extended time, but usually as the water warms to around 65 degrees and above they will move out into the main lake, setting up their summer home ranges and patterns. Concentrating on these weed areas during this narrow water temperature range has helped me to score on several big Muskies over the years.
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