Muskie guide Steve Genson with a 49-inch muskie caught in Wisconsin. Photo by Greg Keefer.

Muskie hunters are literally missing the boat when they overlook the Badger State's excellent river fishing. When you switch to moving water, the rules change a bit.

Widely differing habitats make river fishing for big muskies a challenge on the good days, but when conditions are less than favorable, it can be a downright tough bite.

Is it worth it? You bet it is.

Here's a look at some waters most muskie hunters are missing.

WISCONSIN RIVER
Guide Ken Wallock points to the 53-inch trophy caught on the Stevens Point Flowage and Ron Kutella's 47-inch, 23-pound world fly tackle record as proof of the Wisconsin River's muskie-producing potential.

"The Wisconsin River system is one of the top muskie fisheries in the state," he said. "Recently, a number of muskies in the 50-inch class and topping 40 pounds have been documented from the Wisconsin."

In mid- to late September, muskies start fattening up for the winter. Wallock uses Suicks in bright colors, walleye and sucker-colored Bulldawgs and large bucktails with a single 6/0 hook to take advantage of the feeding binge.

River islands that provide shallow feeding shelves, downstream and upstream island points, shoreline wood and the edges of deeper breaks are all top spots to toss a bait. Muskies will retreat into the backwaters when the water is high.

Fisheries biologist Tom Meronek gives the fishery between Merrill and Petenwell high marks. River muskies are responding well to regulations designed to promote trophy-class fishing. From the Castle Rock Flowage to Dubay Dam, the minimum length is 45 inches. From Lake Dubay to Lake Wausau, the minimum is 34 inches and above Wausau Dam to Merrill, a 40-inch minimum is enforced.

Wallock and his fellow Prime Water Anglers Club members have improved launch and shoreline facilities in Stevens Point at Highway 10 West, Bukolt Park and the Franklin Street landings and the Biron Flowage. Anglers may also launch on Lake Dubay, but watch out for stumps.

For more information, contact the DNR at (715) 359-7582 or (715) 623-4190 or Kenny Wallock's Professional Guiding at (715) 321-0038 or www.kennywallocksguiding.com.

MENOMINEE RIVER
The Menominee, one of three major river systems available to Milwaukee's 330,000 residents, offers a surprisingly good muskie fishery despite pollution issues and the effects of urban sprawl. (Continued)

Great Lakes strains, or spotted muskies, have been stocked below the first dam on the Menominee since 1987. Although the fish have access to Green Bay, they spend part of the year in the river, according to fisheries biologist Michael Donofrio.

The best fishing usually takes place within a month of the season opener or in the last month before the season closes. Targeting any backwaters, laydowns, rocks and holes that are free of strong current or that create eddies and slack water are always the best bet.

The river is an unlikely-looking source of good muskie hunting, a fact readily acknowledged by Russ Greenley of Pete's Sport Shop in Peshtigo.

"There are some big fish in the river, even 50-inch-plus fish," Greenley said. "You can find muskies right in town. Muskies are found throughout the whole river, but toward fall, they hang out in the river mouth area and on Flag Point near the warehouse. There's a big flag there and you can't miss it. When you're in 3 or 4 feet of water, the weeds start, and off the ledge and woody cover is where muskies concentrate."