Rock Island muskies are on fire, both in the lake and on the river. Fish approaching, or surpassing, the 50″ mark have been seen recently and multiple fish in the 40″ bracket [up to 46" weighing 32 pounds] have been taken, some from shore. It’s only a matter of time before one of the brutes makes a mistake and ends up on the end of our of our lines, and quite possibly into the record books…42 pounds is the mark to beat. Congrats to Brandon Clayton on his first musky, a 40″ male, caught on an 8 inch suspending Thunderstick olive [2nd pic down]
Remember muskies in this area are a valuable, somewhat rare, and native, commodity, relying almost entirely on natural reproduction, with little regulation in effect to manage for trophy fish…yet we are lucky enough that it still produces them. Please, regard the TWRA signs posted at launch sites around Rock Island waters that demonstrate how to safely handle and release muskies, to ensure our investment of our own future enjoyment and our progeny. Besides, they don’t taste good, and considering we have all the crappie and walleye a man can handle, there is no need to keep a musky unless it is an absolute trophy…that being a fish over 50″.