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Dissection #1 : Top 5 Tiger Muskie lakes in Colorado
Guest Blog by: Will Dykstra aka "Muskiemaniac" - Guest Blogger
1/17/2013 (Return to blogs)
1/17/2013 (Return to blogs)
Throughout the 1990's Quincy Reservoir was making headlines nationally throughout the muskie fishing world. State records were being broken almost on a weekly basis.If you were to go there now to target Tiger Muskies, you may be extremely frustrated and more than likely you would be unsuccessful. Why is this? Tiger Muskies are a sterile hybrid and cannot reproduce, Tigers are stocked in our lakes here for managment purposes primarily and as a sportfish second. Colorado Parks and Wildlife ( CPW ) will identify lakes that are overpopulated with "rough fish" such as carp, suckers and so on.Once the rough fish population goes down, Tigers are typically no longer stocked.
What does this mean for you as an angler? It means you had better be up to date on your stocking reports and fish these lakes while they are in their prime and that catch and release for these fish is extremely important to preserve their existence. To help you out I am going to list the top 5 Tiger fisheries that I feel you have the best chance at catching quality and quanity Tiger Muskies.
1. Lower Big Creek Lake
2. Evergreen Lake
3. Gross Reservoir
4. Pinewood Reservoir
5. Horseshoe Reservoir
I am going to follow this blog up with a short plan of attack for each of these lakes.
Will Dykstra is a Colorado Native who has a relentless obsession for Muskies and Northern Pike. This obsession has led to him becoming a senior predator guide for Tightline Outdoors. Over the years Will has fished many bodies of water pursuing toothy critters. This pursuit has allowed him to take tactics learned while fishing northern Minnesota and Canada and applying them to lakes and rivers in Colorado. The majority of fishing that Will does in Colorado is spent chasing Tiger Muskies, Northern Pike, Smallmouth , Largemouth, Lake Trout, and all other species of Trout. Will is currently the President of the Colorado Chapter of Muskies Inc. Will is sponsored by Blade Runner Tackle, Red October Baits, Tuf-Line,P Line, EGO nets,and Muskie Bumper.
Blog content © Will Dykstra
Comments
Slimer
01.17.13 2:24 PM
I like how you preach c&r AFTER you mention some lakes that have them to the blood thirsty crowds. Touche.
Rivrunnr1
01.17.13 3:18 PM
That's a great list LOL. I like it.
tracks
01.17.13 3:30 PM
I'll be interested too listen and learn. I almost got to fish Tigers this last year with the fly rod to boot!!
Will Dykstra (author, aka Muskiemaniac)
01.17.13 4:13 PM
Sometimes a fly rod can be a more effective approach!
chris
01.17.13 7:32 PM
I'm loving your posts they should help us out my wife wants to help her dad catch a tiger muskie before he gets to a point in life where he can't
longdraw
01.18.13 9:51 AM
lol
chris
01.20.13 9:58 AM
Don't laugh I'm being serious its getting to the point in life where its hard for him to walk
Browneyes
01.20.13 3:50 PM
Great Blog! I had an excellent year out at Evergreen with multiple fish on every trip I've consistently got them over the years out there but this year was my best for size and numbers.
I only made it up to Gross four times this year to chase them and caught one on every trip but only had one multiple fish day out of those four trips. I love the ice but I look forward to chasing them again this spring. Just like all big predators once you figure out what they like they aren't as difficult as everyone makes them out to be.
About the Author
Will Dykstra"Muskiemaniac" - Guest Blogger
Will Dykstra is a Colorado Native who has a relentless obsession for Muskies and Northern Pike. This obsession has led to him becoming a senior predator guide for Tightline Outdoors. Over the years Will has fished many bodies of water pursuing toothy critters. This pursuit has allowed him to take tactics learned while fishing northern Minnesota and Canada and applying them to lakes and rivers in Colorado. The majority of fishing that Will does in Colorado is spent chasing Tiger Muskies, Northern Pike, Smallmouth , Largemouth, Lake Trout, and all other species of Trout. Will is currently the President of the Colorado Chapter of Muskies Inc. Will is sponsored by Blade Runner Tackle, Red October Baits, Tuf-Line,P Line, EGO nets,and Muskie Bumper.