[Forester]

Hi Guys
I was wondering where to go after some smallies on the East Branch of the Musquash River. I was in there on the Sunday with my young son (6 years old) and only released 3 small fish (about 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb). It was my first time on that water body and I would love to try it again. I tried tubes and jigs (dark colors) but ended up getting them on a perch rattle trap along weed edges.
Any help would be appreciated !!

Thanks
PS Had a blast with the Boy!!

 

[Twinfan]

I have not been there in a few years, but used to spend a lot of time there. We always did well for bass at the top end of the lake just before it runs through a rocky channel to another small lake. There were several small coves with a lot of brush and timber in the water. The bass would lay under and around the timber and ambush anything that wandered by. Had a lot of fun with topwater lures and spinnerbaits. Mid-day, look for shade in a cove from overhanging trees.

If you're having a slow day and the boy starts to get bored, head for the cove on the bottom third of the lake where the pipeline comes through from the West Branch. That cove always used to hold a number of eager yellow perch, my kids loved all the action. Make sure fishing stays fun for him. It took me years to recover from my youthful experience of sitting in a boat moving 2 mile an hour while trolling for hours in the cold April rain!

 

[greenmachine]

That's the Deer Lk stream that Twinfan describes.Other hotspots at the upper end of the lake are right in front of the pumphouse intake and around the little "telephone sign" island.

 

[Forester]

I have not been there in a few years, but used to spend a lot of time there. We always did well for bass at the top end of the lake just before it runs through a rocky channel to another small lake. There were several small coves with a lot of brush and timber in the water. The bass would lay under and around the timber and ambush anything that wandered by. Had a lot of fun with topwater lures and spinnerbaits. Mid-day, look for shade in a cove from overhanging trees.

If you're having a slow day and the boy starts to get bored, head for the cove on the bottom third of the lake where the pipeline comes through from the West Branch. That cove always used to hold a number of eager yellow perch, my kids loved all the action. Make sure fishing stays fun for him. It took me years to recover from my youthful experience of sitting in a boat moving 2 mile an hour while trolling for hours in the cold April rain!

Thanks TwinFan
I guess I did not go far enough up the lake to get into some fish. I'll try to find the small stream your talking about and give it a try.
The cove with the perch sounds like great fun for the boy!!! He needs a little action to keep him keen!

Thanks

 

[Forester]

That's the Deer Lk stream that Twinfan describes.Other hotspots at the upper end of the lake are right in front of the pumphouse intake and around the little "telephone sign" island.

Thanks Greenmachine

I will have to have a look at some aerial photos to find the spots.
I assume that dark color tubes should work well but I love the topwater idea as I use to fish Largemouth topwater in Ontario and loved it! There is nothing like a 4lb large mouth taking a topwater buzz bait! Bang and the fun is on!

Many Thanks !!!

 

[greenmachine]

you'll know the "telephone island" when you find it....there's an actual steel telephone sign planted in the rocks.....or at least there always was?It's a small rock island between the narrows and the pumphouse,near the mouth of the Loch Alva portage.

 

[Forester]

you'll know the "telephone island" when you find it....there's an actual steel telephone sign planted in the rocks.....or at least there always was?It's a small rock island between the narrows and the pumphouse,near the mouth of the Loch Alva portage.

Thanks I'll have look for it for sure.
I was thinking about going on Sunday if the weather is nice and the kids want to go.

I noticed that you can go thru a series of small streams to small lakes on the left side of the Musquash Just before where the hydroline cuts across. Have you ever gone up there?

 

[greenmachine]

That's the Deer Lk stream.....it's really not that small.You can boat all the way up.Watch out for submerged stumps.

I'm not a bass fisher by any means,but just thinking that the far upper end of e.musquash(past Loch Alva portage and the pumphouse)is a big shallow cove...maybe fulla spawning nests right now?Go give'em hell.

 

[greenmachine]

....just thinking that the far upper end of e.musquash(past Loch Alva portage and the pumphouse)is a big shallow cove...maybe fulla spawning nests right now?

Suspicion confirmed!I was at e.Branch on week-end....my bud's kids boated 12-15 smb between 2-4lbs trolling 4" rapalas around this exact area.

 

[Forester]

Suspicion confirmed!I was at e.Branch on week-end....my bud's kids boated 12-15 smb between 2-4lbs trolling 4" rapalas around this exact area.

Thanks Greenmachine! Its nice to know that at least somebody got out fishing on Fathers Day! I wanted to go with the boys but it got voted down by the wife. I'm going to see about this weekend for a fish.