I started fishing a section of Lake St. Clair known as Bouvier Bay on the north end of the lake, with my dad in 1929. My first fish beyond much doubt was a Small Mouth Bass as this was my dad's favorite fish. We also fished for Blue Gills and Perch a lot, and on occasion Crappie (Calico Bass).

I barely remember some of my first years as memory fades with time, but I do remember my first Muskie in 1931. Seeing that it was a bit under legal size my Dad made me throw it back. So that means that I have been fishing for over 77 years now. I really love to fish for all species. I guess it is the part of my life that makes me whole.

I have spent years searching for the Muskie feeding areas of the lake. As most fisher people know, about 90% of any body of water is known as dead water. These are areas that you may catch a fish once or twice a year. The areas I look for are the ones that hold the bait fish as this is the key to successful fishing. I love guiding for the "big girls" of every species.

All I can really say is that the fishing part of my life has been a great ride. The most fun I have now is when I get clients out with their kids. The look on a child's face when they get into a big fish is priceless. Even though I am 82 years old and have been doing this for a long time, I can tell you that I still get a thrill out of seeing a big fish on someone's line.

Hope to meet you on Lake St. Clair, soon!
MuskieBob

Let it go. Let it grow.

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Casting for Muskie on Lake St Clair (July 2007)

Being the first full time fishing guide casting for Muskie on Lake St Clair, I have learned a lot about the lake and the Muskie. This is one of the best lakes for Muskie, not only for numbers but for size as well. You have the main lake on the south and east area and then Anchor Bay to the north and west. The shipping channel mainly separates Canada from the U.S.

I rarely fish for Muskie on the Canadian side any more as I’m usually in boats under 20 feet, and from the area I fish it is really too much of a drive across the water. Because Canada has the biggest part of the lake most people think you should fish on the Canadian side for more Muskie. More than likely there are more fish since there is more water but that doesn’t mean you have to fish there. I do now and then, but there are enough Muskie in American waters to catch so I usually stay on the U.S. side of the lake.

Casting for Muskie is a lot different than trolling for them. I have fished this lake since 1929 and landed my fist Muskie in 1931 at the tender age of 6. It was a small fish, a shade under thirty inches, but to me it was huge. This was on a cane pole and minnow; now fishing is custom rods, pricey reels and very expensive lures. Speaking of lures, I hand make buck tail lures and they really catch the Muskie as well as other species of fish.

Lake St Clair, more than likely, has more Muskie per square mile than any other Muskie lake. A few years ago I was out with two clients and in six hours we had 32 Muskie in the boat and landed six of them, they included a 42", 44", 47", and three fish 48 inches long. Not a bad day of fishing at all.

I have fly fished for Muskie but I usually prefer to cast. I will guide fly casting for Muskie but I always carry casting tackle in case you would like to try that way. It is a blast no matter what way you fish for them. There is nothing like the smashing hit of a Muskie beside the boat. I have had clients throw their rods in the water and other things I can’t write here. A good fly fishing guide is Steve Kunnath. You can find a link to him here on my site.

The longest fish one of my clients has landed so far is 57 inches. That is longer than my best, but my fish was a lot heavier. I have a 56 inch, 52 lb. beauty to my credit. It will take a really big fish to beat that. I have had a few bigger in my life but they are rare and hard to find, let alone land.

I have a few books available on Muskie fishing. "Muskie of Lake St. Clair" is one. "Catching Muskie and the Rules of Muskie Fishing" is another. I have a few copies of this book left for sale. You can browse my book list or you can contact me by email or phone.

Lake St Clair is the best Muskie lake, and to me, casting is the way to have the most fun. Try it, I’m sure you will like it.

Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Legendary Guide 2005
Bob (Robert G.) Brunner Sr.