Best Time To Fish For Muskie – Summer Nights!
While fall undoubtedly offers some of the best muskie fishing of the year, particularly during the cooler months when the fish are actively preparing for winter, there’s a hidden gem in summer that often gets overlooked: night fishing. As much as I respect the fall season, I’ve caught more muskies in July than in any other month, and the key to this success lies in understanding the unique patterns of muskie behavior during the warm summer nights. Muskie enthusiasts will often focus on fall, but night fishing in summer presents an opportunity to catch some of the biggest muskies of the year. The key? Patience, preparation, and the quiet calm of the evening.
Advantages of Night Fishing
The advantages of night fishing for muskie are numerous, especially during the summer months when the fish are active and in their prime feeding mode. As the sun sets, muskies begin to move closer to shallow water and river structures, making them easier to target. In particular, muskies shift their focus to prey species like walleyes, suckers, and bullheads, which are more active in low-light conditions. This increased feeding activity means that muskies are more likely to strike lures during the evening hours when they are most focused on feeding.
Night fishing not only offers great muskie fishing, but also the chance to reel in big northern pike and walleyes. It’s not uncommon to land pike over 30 inches and walleyes pushing the 30-inch mark during these outings. The night provides an excellent opportunity for anglers to enjoy more diverse fishing action beyond just muskies.
Lower Visibility Fishing at Night
One of the greatest advantages of night fishing is the reduced visibility, which works in favor of the angler. In the ultra-clear waters of the St. Lawrence River, daytime fishing can sometimes be hindered by the transparency of the water, where terminal tackle, snaps, and leaders are clearly visible to the muskie. This is less of an issue at night, as darkness obscures these elements and minimizes the risk of spooking fish. Furthermore, the nighttime hours bring a welcome decrease in boat traffic, which helps to maintain the peaceful environment that muskies thrive in.
Additionally, night fishing eliminates another common summer problem: floating weeds. As water levels drop in late summer and early fall, weeds deteriorate and float to the surface, potentially creating a real hassle for daytime fishing. However, these pesky weeds are usually less of a concern at night, allowing anglers to focus on catching fish without the constant interruption of weed lines.
Best Places and Times to Catch Summer Muskie
Mid-Summer Muskie Tend to Stay Put
One of the significant benefits of summer muskie fishing is that muskies are relatively sedentary during this season. After the spawn and into the fall, muskies tend to become more migratory. However, during the summer, they often become residents of a given area, frequently returning to the same spots year after year. Once you discover a summer hotspot, you can count on it yielding muskies in future trips, which takes some of the guesswork out of the equation and helps you build a consistent fishing routine.
Target Weedy Areas, Structures, and Shallow Bays
Summer muskie habitats are usually characterized by abundant structures that provide shelter and feeding opportunities. Prime areas to target include shallow shoals, points, weed edges, and necked-down sections between shoals, weed beds, or islands. These spots are typically the go-to locations for summer muskie, offering a mix of cover, prey, and access to deeper waters. While most of the popular muskie spots along the river are well known, if you’re unfamiliar with an area, a visit to the local bait shop can provide useful insights to help you get started.
Dusk and Evening Fishing
The period around sunset is widely regarded as one of the best times to fish for muskie. The last hour of daylight, followed by the first two to three hours of night, are often the most productive. Overcast skies can further improve the chances of success, making the final hour of daylight even more productive than it might be on a clear day. While I don’t typically fish early in the morning, I believe that the final two hours of night, combined with the first hour of daylight, could also yield significant results.
Moon Phases and Storms Passing Through
Moon phases can play a major role in the effectiveness of night fishing. If the moon sets or rises near sunset, it can increase your chances of landing a muskie. However, the best conditions for night fishing often occur when a fast-moving thunderstorm passes through the area. The period just before and after a storm is often a prime time to catch muskies, as fish are more likely to be actively feeding during these atmospheric changes. Of course, safety is always the top priority, so be sure to leave the water and seek shelter during the actual storm.
Trolling Technique
Setup and Trolling
While casting to structures can be effective, trolling is the most reliable technique for consistently catching muskies on the St. Lawrence River, no matter the time of day. While some anglers opt for oversized spinning outfits, most use baitcasting rigs, which are better suited to muskie fishing. I prefer using non-stretch lines paired with fast-action rods, which allow me to feel every subtle movement and ensures that my lures maintain the proper action throughout the retrieve.
Lure Depth for Night Fishing
Depth is crucial when trolling for muskies at night. Lures should typically be worked between 16-35 feet below the surface. There are various ways to achieve the correct depth, using combinations of line, in-line weights, downriggers, or other tools. Lure action is equally important. For night fishing, a slow, wobbling action is often most effective, but adding occasional erratic movement to your presentation can trigger strikes from lurking muskies.
Water Current
The current is another important factor to consider on the St. Lawrence River. When trolling, aim for areas with mild current, as these spots tend to produce more muskies than areas with either heavy current or no current at all. Another useful technique is trolling against the current or across the current, rather than with it. This keeps your lures in the ideal strike zone for longer periods, increasing your chances of landing a muskie.
Bumping Along Structures
When trolling at night, it’s important to work your lures along structural edges. While trolling parallel to structure is a fundamental technique, don’t hesitate to “bump” your lures against the structure or even troll onto the structure itself. This can result in the lures picking up debris or getting caught on the bottom, but these actions often prompt aggressive strikes from nearby muskies.
Trolling Lures
Deep Diver Lures
The Cisco Kid, Swim Whiz, Believer, and Depthraider are some of the most popular deep-diving trolling lures for muskie fishing. These lures have a natural swimming action, emit an attractive vibration, and are durable enough to withstand the rigors of night trolling. The Believer and Depthraider are also known for producing a distinctive rattling sound that can attract muskies even in murky conditions.
Lure Choices
When selecting lures for night fishing, natural colors like black and silver, dull perch, and dark black tend to be the most effective for river musky. As a rule of thumb, dark lures are best for dark nights, while brighter lures—such as those with silver or white—work well when the moon is shining or when skies are clear. If I had to choose just one color for all conditions, black and silver would be my go-to.
Nighttime Fishing Safety
As with any outdoor adventure, safety should always be a top priority during night trolling. Before heading out, be sure to inform someone of your plans, including where you’re going and when you expect to return. It’s also essential to check that your boat lights are functioning properly and that all safety equipment is on board and in working order. If possible, bring a fishing partner along to help with landing, unhooking, photographing, and releasing your catch. The buddy system ensures that you have assistance in case of emergencies and makes the entire night fishing experience safer and more enjoyable.
Original Article By Mike Seymour
About The Author
Captain Mike Seymour is a licensed Coast Guard Captain and NYS guide who guided extensively on the St. Lawrence River, Black Lake, and western Alaska. He is a member and former president of the New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association and is an active writer for several publications. In addition to fishing the St. Lawrence River, he is actively fishing Lake Ontario, the Adirondacks, and the other waters of the state.
