Kevin J Legg

Couldn’t agree more. Need something like an 18-26” slot and with one over 26” for trophy or non releasable fish for the lake and St Lawrence River. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Correct Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

But the law is badly abused. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I’ve seen a big increase in fishing pressure on the river both before and during the early bass season. Many more recreational and tournament fishermen and many from out of state. This is good for the local economy but perhaps not for the fishery. Tournament fishermen catch many fish with most being released but still stressed. Recreational fishermen and those fishing with guides keeping many for the table. My grandsons are starting to enjoy fishing and I hope DEC keeps a careful eye on maintaining the sustainability our great resource. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

A deep diver Bandit Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Actually I got skunked on eyes but did hit a couple bass. Perhaps muskiies are feeding on eyes. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

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Her image is definitely burned in my mind. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I got an early start this morning on the SLR. Was on the water by 2:45. I was trolling solo with two longlines on 7’ ugly stick spinning rods in rod holders with Bandit deep divers and a heavy bottom bouncer on a third rod in my hand. It was now 4:00 AM! While trolling in 24 fow I saw a longline come tight in the rod holder. while reeling in the bottom bouncer I headed out to deep water with the fish on the rod in rod holder. I then stopped the motor and began drifting down river. After grabbing the rod I knew it was a big fish. My first thought was a trophy walleye but it felt very heavy so next thought was a huge catfish. It went deep and I really just felt weight but then it turned and made a powerful run toward shallower water taking lots of drag. It made a move up river and I followed it around the back of the boat and then it really made a couple big fast runs and I was nervous it might cut me off on the shoal. There was no controlling it at this time and I basically just hung on as it took drag. Next it came out of the water and I knew it was a big muskie! It jumped a second time and fortunately then moved back to deeper water. It now seemed to be tiring and I slowly began gaining line. I was still drifting down river and now in deep water with no obstructions to deal with. It move toward the surface and I finally spotted it with my headlight. I easily lead it in and tried to slide her into my big salmon net but she wouldn’t fit. I had her head and about 2/3 of her body in the net but could get her tail in and hook was hung in the net. I tried lifting her tail into the net but still could fold it in. I decided I would have to to get my fingers under the gill plate and succeeded but it flopped and put a hook in my hand. Fortunately it didn’t go deep and came out when I dropped the fish and net. Now the fish and net were in the water but still attached to my line. Fortunately I was able to regain a hold on the net handle and by now was concerned with releasing the fish. I decided to try to get the hooks out without putting her in the boat. Fortunately I was successful but her gill plates were still tangled in the net. Finally I was able to free them and she swam off well. I have caught some big salmon and carp but this fish dwarfed them. As I have zero experience with big muskies My estimate would simply be a guess but I have a 38” ruler on the side of my boat and it was much bigger than that. If I were to make a guess I would say 50” or more. I know her head had to be 8” wide and she was thick all the way to the tail. Wish I could show a photo but it wasn’t to be as I wanted her back in the water safely. I’ve been fishing the river for 45 years and this was definitely the fish of my lifetime. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Wow, if your below(south of) Henderson it’s a long run to the the places I suggested unless they’re trailing their boat. Much closer to Henderson, Chaumont, and Black River Bay. Unless wind is really bad they should be fine. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Certainly could fish those big bays but Goose, Chippewa, and Eel Bay are much closer and all hold fish. Also Lake of the Isles. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Not so much of an issue now that season is open and bass are off the beds. Most locals were complaining about guys fishing bass before the opener which is illegal here. Water level is low and lots of shoals so you need to be careful. Use charts and GPS to avoid accidents. The current in the main river can also be an issue but with a bass boat shouldn’t be a big issue in boat control. The bigger bays tend to be shallower and weedy with little current. Largemouths tend to be related to the weeds and smallmouths more on rocky shoals and deeper water. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Another successful outing. They are now both able to bait hooks and unhook their fish. Oldest even used pliers to remove a deep hook.they said they caught dinner for their mom and dad who will arrive tonight. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Here’s one instance when size definitely doesn’t matter. Grandsons fished for a couple hours and caught a mixed bag. Bonus was they each caught a keeper bass. Yes I filleted them and got 1 lb 3 oz of fillets that they want for a fish fry. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app