Gigantic muskellunge—or muskie—have long made their home in the French Broad River. They’re a favorite of anglers who seek their chance to reel in the powerful fish, up to 50 inches long. But today’s French Broad is a challenging habitat for muskie.
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Where is the musky mile on the French Broad?
Simply because there are no mile markers on the river, and secondly, there is no sign to show anglers where to go (thankfully). The musky mile is an easy stretch to access. The put-in is at Hap Simpson Park, floating down to Wilson Road Bridge, behind Lowes Home Improvements in Brevard, NC.
What month is best for muskie fishing?
Some of the highest catch rates for muskies are during the summer months when the water is warm and the fish are most active. Fall fishing can also be very productive at times, and many of the largest muskies are caught during the fall.
How do you fish for musky in rivers?
Does North Carolina have musky?
The French Broad is the largest and most productive smallmouth bass and musky river in North Carolina.
Where can I catch a muskie in NC?
Places to Fish: Through its Table Rock State Fish Hatchery in Burke County, the Commission stocks Muskellunge in the French Broad, Nolichucky and New rivers as well as Lake Adger, an impoundment on the Green River. Anglers can sometimes catch Muskellunge in unstocked reservoirs, such as Fontana and Hiwassee.
Does the French Broad River flow north?
The French Broad River is formed by the junction of the North Fork and West Fork in southern Transylvania County near the town of Rosman. It flows northeast into Henderson County, where it then turns northwest and courses through Buncombe and Madison Counties.
What bait is best for muskie?
Bucktails – Bucktails are arguably the most popular bait used by musky anglers. Bucktails produce vibrations in the water that are easily felt by a musky’s lateral line. Bucktails can be retrieved at any speed, depending on the conditions. The most popular bucktails are double 9 blades and double 10 blades.
What time of day are musky most active?
Title Muskie become more difficult to catch in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Like many predatory fish, muskie are most active at dawn and dusk, and these times typically provide the most action, especially on warm, sunny days.
What is the best time of day to fish for muskie?
The best time of day to catch muskies is around dawn and dusk during the warmer months and around mid-afternoon during the winter. You can catch muskies during the day and even at night but the fishing will usually be a lot slower.
Where do you find muskie in a river?
By late May, river levels are typically stable, which means muskies are moving toward midriver structure. Typically, submergent weed growth has developed by now, and it plays an important role in musky location. Expect to find muskies setting up on or near humps, points and flats.
Where do musky spawn in rivers?
Muskie spawning occurs as water temperatures hit the mid- to upper-50-degree range. They are broadcast spawners, laying their eggs in shallow, soft-bottomed areas, generally bays (especially those with inlet flow), some shoreline areas and upstream (off-current shallows) in rivers.
What water temp is best for musky fishing?
Biologists classify muskies as “cool-water” fish. They are most comfortable at water temperatures between 63 and 67 degrees. In that temperature range, and in even colder water, there’s enough oxygen in the water that a muskie can exert itself without lasting effects.
What kind of fish are in the French Broad River?
The river itself supports a variety of warm and cool water fish including large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, carp and sauger. Many of the tributaries of the French Broad River support trout as well.
Are there muskie in South Carolina?
Every couple of years, an angler will make the outdoor news by catching a muskellunge in South Carolina waters — usually from the upper stretches of the Broad River.
Are there northern pike in North Carolina?
The Northern pike, a close relative of the muskellunge not found in North Carolina, only has 10 pores underneath the jaw. The chain pickerel is some- time mistaken for a small muskellunge, but the pickerel has a black bar beneath the eye and the muskellunge does not.
Are there musky in Lake Norman?
Fish On! What may be the the top freshwater angling challenge in North Carolina is within a 2.5 hour drive of Lake Norman. Muskellunge, aka muskies, are a top predatory gamefish that can be described as a freshwater barracuda.
Are there musky in Hot Springs?
Other fish in abundance are catfish and muskie. You can wade in at many points throughout the county. The river boasts one of the premium smallmouth bass fisheries in North Carolina and is ranked as one of N.C.’s top four best rivers for smallmouth bass.
Is a muskie a river fish?
Muskies especially thrive in and around the Great Lakes, including all five lakes and their surrounding rivers. Fishing the Great Lakes and surrounding areas provides anglers the best shot at landing one of these giant predators. Muskellunge are one of the most sought-after freshwater game fish in North America.
Are there alligators in the French Broad river?
(Brevard, NC-AP) August 1, 2006 – The mystery in the French Broad River is solved. A reptile that boaters reported seeing in recent weeks is a juvenile American alligator more than three feet long.
What level rapids are on the French Broad river?
French Broad River Rafting Sections and Rapids Average rapids range from Class II to IV with the majority in the Class III range. Section 9 never disappoints and includes the most famous rapids in the French Broad River: the Maze, Big Pillow, Ledges and Frank Bell’s rapids.
Why is the French Broad river so dirty?
The French Broad’s impairment is due to levels of fecal coliform bacteria higher than state water quality standards found in samples taken along the river within a 30-day period. The bacteria can come from sewage leaks, septic systems and run-off from agricultural fields.
Is Lake Adger safe to swim in?
Restrictions are in place to provide a safe environment for the full recreational use and enjoyment of the lake, including boating, swimming and fishing.
Where can I fish at Lake Adger?
Lake Adger, located in Mill Spring off Silver Creek Rd., has been stocked with Muskellunge (Muskies) as part of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources fish stocking program. The Muskies are raised at the Table Rock State Fish Hatchery and the juvenile fish are released into Lake Adger in October.
What fish are in Lake Lure North Carolina?
Lake Lure is a deep, clear lake with a maximum depth of 104 feet. Both warm and cold-water species of fish inhabit Lake Lure, such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, bream/bluegills, crappie, perch, white bass, carp, and several species of catfish.