The author with a 53-inch French River monster.
The river is generally broken down into three main sections, the Upper, Middle and Lower French. I have fished from one end to the other and eventually settled on the Upper French as my main focus.
Lake Nipissing, the third largest lake within Ontario, takes a long time to warm up which creates a unique circumstance for early season fishing. Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly weather trends present an intricate puzzle.
Opening Day is the third Saturday in June on the Upper French, and water temperatures can range from the mid 50s in the main basins to the low 70s in the back bays. Therefore, muskies may still be spawning in colder sections of the river and completely finished in other areas. Spring weather dictates fish location. The biggest factor is when the ice comes off. If it melts early, weeds begin to grow, but it’s vice versa if the ice melts late. The Upper French River has many bays and inlets between the lake and first set of dams.
Bays outside the main current warm up much faster as they don’t receive constant flow. Muskies can be found anywhere on the river but I focus my time on this warm backwater in early season. Some bays are very large and need to be broken down as if they are individual lakes, while others are small and can be fished quickly.
Location
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
What can Current Do For You?
WATER FLOW IN LAKES IS SUBTLE AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT MUSKIES USE IT, SO WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?
Mountain State Muskies In Spring
CATCH MUSKIES DURING TIMES WHEN NOTHING IS PREDICTABLE
Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers
Winter has arrived, yet in the South it’s still mild enough to keep fishing with the exception of maybe a week or two of an Arctic front.
Tune Up For The Season Ahead
Have you started making your plans for the upcoming fishing year?
Rob Manthei
Guide Rob Manthei’s love for the Vilas/Oneida County region of northern Wisconsin is deeply rooted. His father and grandfather started taking him there on fishing trips when he was just two years old, and he began guiding full-time at the age of 25.
Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water
With breathtaking scenery, vast amounts of water, and complex and diverse structure, clear water Canadian Shield lakes offer some of the most sought-after musky fishing in the world. A bucket-list destination for the passionate and determined angler, there’s something truly special about being in the sanctuary of the great Canadian Shield lakes.
Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice
Is there really such a thing as a perfect musky boat? There are so many variables to choose from in the market today. Do I want a casting or trolling boat? Aluminum or fiberglass? Welded or riveted? Do I want a tiller, side console, dual console, or full windshield?
Region To Region
Region To Region
Genetic Study Yields Answers
STUDY SUGGESTS LEECH STRAIN IS NOT THE ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR WISCONSIN MUSKY WATERS
Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies
Crankbaits catch plenty of muskies during spring, summer and fall, but the key to catching ’skies in the very early cold water season on these lures involves some special tricks.
