Small Baits + Small Waters = Big Muskies

And why do we automatically equate big muskies with big waters?
 

Simple: food source.
 

The forage base in big waters is typically much fattier (think ciscoes and whitefish)—and thus, grows some giant fish. So, when on that quest of a lifetime fish, we usually resort to fishing the classic big muskie-producing lakes and rivers.
 

And that usually means long days of running and gunning, casting, sometimes days without even a follow. It can get incredibly tedious, to the point where seasoned muskie guys have contemplated selling their gear …
 

Over the years, though, I’ve found a solution to the tedium to big water fishing. And that’s small baits fished in small waters can produce some giant muskies.

Case in point: One of my favorite bodies of water for big numbers of big muskies is no deeper than 18 feet and looks like a mud hole. Most drive past and never give it a second look, which is good for me, but others are missing out. Muskies average 44-46 inches in this particular small lake and it’s not uncommon to boat four fish and see over 20 in a standard day, despite the heavy fishing pressure smaller lakes can experience.
 

Believe it or not, I have pulled multiple 50-inch fish out of this particular lake and other small lakes and river systems using small, low-profile baits!
 

Here are some things I look for when hunting big muskies on small waters.
 

Visit your state’s DNR web site. I usually start by checking stocking and netting info. This can help you eliminate water before you even launch your boat. I also examine species, size, and numbers data, paying particular attention to muskie food sources like perch, bullheads and panfish. More often than not, you won’t find the cisco or whitefish forage base found in bigger, deeper and cooler waters. But, if you do, certainly add the lake to your list! 
 

Next, if you’re looking for that hidden gem only locals fish and never talk about, I like to look at how far the lake or river is located from a major road or highway. The secret lakes will often be the out-of-the-way ones, away from the crowds.
 

But there are always exceptions; my hidden gem is right off a heavily-used highway and people just drive by, never giving it a second look. Don’t overlook the conspicuous lakes! 
 

Small bucktails, spinnerbaits, jigs, and smaller topwater baits are all good baits for smaller lakes.

I don’t throw a lot of plastics on smaller bodies of water.  For one, in smaller lakes it’s typically difficult to make the long casts necessarily to work the baits properly; the structure just isn’t that expansive.

However, I will use plastics after a follow, pitching a tube to see if it I can get the fish to commit. I have done well with this technique rather than casting them all day.
 

With regards to lure size, I usually stick to the rule of keeping my bait under 8-inches in length, and sometimes smaller is even better. Think of the forage size in these waters—for the most part, it’s not very big.
 

These smaller baits work especially well in the smaller lakes of the northern states because they warm up so much faster than their bigger and deeper counterparts. For that same reason the fish are a lot more active earlier in the season. The water temperature during the hottest days of summer can reach the upper 80s and even 90s on calm sunny days, forcing muskies to eat almost around the clock to keep up with their metabolism. Of course, this full throttle feeding greatly increases your chances of hookups!
 

I typically concentrate on weed flats, steep drop-offs, any points or inside corners, and bottom content transition areas. Weed flats are especially good early in the season and can hold a lot of heavily-feeding fish. The same goes for bottom content transition areas; sand or rock warms up fast on sunny days and will hold heat. You will find muskies roaming these warmer areas, looking for an easy meal.

Steep drop-offs, points, and inside corners are great ambush points and will hold muskies, especially as the water temperature starts to rise. The best ambush points almost always hold the biggest fish, so when you pull one out of these areas make sure to mark a waypoint or take a mental note because you will constantly pull muskies from these areas.
 

Whether you’re an avid muskie angler or just starting out, smaller bodies of water can be a great tool for you to hone your skills and take what you’ve learned on a smaller scale to larger lakes and rivers.

When you’re able to see as many as 20 muskies a day you really get a chance to work on technique. You’ll learn when to speed your bait up or slow it down, the best figure-8 tactics when followed to the boat, and just keying in on what makes muskies tick. 
 

Give smaller lakes a try: You’ll learn a lot and nowhere else do you have a better shot at putting multiple fish in the boat!