Freshwater fishing may be winding down for most species, but it’s heating up for one of Virginia’s biggest and most vicious warriors. Muskies.
Twenty years ago, there was a modest population of muskies in the New River with scattered fish in other rivers. Recently, the James River has developed into a musky hotspot and the Shenandoah is coming on strong. Other rivers with the big fellas include the Jackson, Clinch, Cowpasture, Powell and the South Fork Holston. The James and New are maintained with natural reproduction while others receive stockings .
The Game Department offers these tips for catching muskies.
River fishermen use rafts, kayaks, canoes, or small boats with electric motors or small outboards to float larger pools and fish near woody debris, large boulders, drop offs, or weed lines. We suggest using an eight foot medium heavy rod with fast action and a bait casting reel with a 6.4 gear ratio. Fill the reel with 80 lb. braided line, tipped with an 80lb fluorocarbon leader. You can also use a steel leader if you like.
There are many musky baits on the market, but most fall into five categories: Inline spinners, crankbaits, top water, soft plastics and jerk baits. For beginners, try using an inline spinner or top water bait. Crank baits and soft plastics are good choices in the fall and winter months when muskies tend to target larger prey items like suckers. Jerk baits are the most challenging to use, but can be effective in any season.
Anglers interested in trying to fish with live bait should use large hooks, 4/0 or larger, some anglers simply allow 8 or 12-inch suckers, shad, or carp to swim free below the boat. Combining this method while casting artificial lures can be very effective.
Muskies are commonly caught in lakes by trolling deep water with large crankbaits, spoons, and inline spinners. Be sure to carry a large net with you as well as long nosed pliers, jaw spreaders, hook cutters, and hook resistant gloves.
Musky are not believed to be native to Virginia. The first stocking of Muskellunge occurred in the New River in 1963. Since then more resources were added to the list of stocked waters or occupied by both stocked and self-sustaining populations.
Initially, hatchery musky were imported from New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Over the years DGIF staff shifted to collecting their own brood fish, harvesting eggs, and raising musky to various sizes to stock.
Our current stocked muskies are considered advanced fingerlings and range in size from 8-12 inches. These fish are incredibly challenging and costly to raise. DGIF staff begin the process of rearing musky in March and April.
Biologists and hatchery staff work together to collect both male and female musky from the James River. These brood fish are shipped to the Vic Thomas hatchery. Brood fish are held for three days and checked for ripeness. Typically 150,000–200,000 eggs are harvested, fertilized, and shipped to the Buller Fish Hatchery. Buller hatchery staff monitor the eggs closely until they hatch. Brood fish are then returned to the river from where they were collected.
Once hatched, the musky fry are stocked into ponds at Buller as well as Front Royal Fish Hatchery. The fry feed on plankton, insects, and small minnows. Musky are incredibly carnivorous. If minnows run short they will cannibalize their brothers and sisters. Hatchery staff continue to monitor the ponds throughout the summer. In the fall the ponds are drained and the fingerling musky are harvested, loaded onto stocking trucks, and distributed to select resources.
It’s musky time. If you go, make sure to bundle up and always wear a flotation device – and hold on!