Definitely recommend Muskie fishermen to Recollet falls on French River

I've never been much of a muskie fishermen, usually I go for fish I enjoy eating. I usually hook a muskie while going for smallmouth or White-bass on Lake St. Clair Not to say it's not a blast pulling these guys in though, I definitely see the appeal. So I'd like to recommend easily the best muskie spot I know. Every year I go to the French river area for the fall bear season, and I kill time at Recollet falls getting some smallmouth to fry up with a free-line worm with 8lb fluorocarbon. And every-single-time I hook or land a nice sized muskie there.

Here is my first one there about 4 years go. I thought I got snagged again (LOTS of rocks there) then I see a large muskie leap out of the water. I think "that's neat" until my "snagged" line started following that muskie. I also did not bring a net, so after 15 minutes of fighting the hardest part was trying not to thrash this guy on the rocks while keeping all my fingers. He did go back out himself safely after fortunately. He was 43"
Attachment 40800
This was a few weeks ago during this year's fall bear season, smallies still going great there! I hooked a nice smallie then all of a sudden I felt a large weight, "Great, I lost another one off the rocks again" I thought. Then I realize it's roughly a 40" muskie, I fought him for 3 minutes before he let go of my bass. Me: 2 Muskie: 0. They are awfully stubborn here.
Attachment 40801Attachment 40802
On another note, large muskie aren't all they have here. They also have enormous channel cats, super strong fighting smallies, and sheepsheads (15lbs). Oh, and an amazing view.
Attachment 40803

Also, yes all these fish were caught on simply a freeline worm with 8lb fluoro. It's all it takes.

Here's the scenery to look forward to there if you visit.
Attachment 40805

Dont show this guy your favorite trout stream.

lol

Are you allowed to camp there? We have been looking at the French River for a few years. I usually fish Moose Lake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Are you allowed to camp there? We have been looking at the French River for a few years. I usually fish Moose Lake.

---

Unfortunately no, this is a park but people fish it and launch their canoes here all the time. I used to lodge at moose lake every year since I was a kid and my family got pretty close with the owner Richard. A shame they closed down it was an amazing bass spot. I'm sure you're aware that you can camp at any place that's crown land for free at any time of year. You can find crown land easily around French River using the Crown Land use Policy Atlas online. But If you go to Dry Rapids Road in Alban all the way down to Murdock River you'll find a great spot for Camping near French River. But if you like going off-grid like me then you can always launch a canoe or boat at any ramp and pick your spot (Just make sure it's crown land!).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by J-Kill

Dont show this guy your favorite trout stream.

lol

---

Haha those I keep to myself ;) you can have the Muskies.

I have never seen a Lodge on Moose Lake, two camps on an island. But there has never been a Lodge on Moose Lake.?? Must be another Moose Lake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

Unfortunately no, this is a park but people fish it and launch their canoes here all the time. I used to lodge at moose lake every year since I was a kid and my family got pretty close with the owner Richard. A shame they closed down it was an amazing bass spot. I'm sure you're aware that you can camp at any place that's crown land for free at any time of year. You can find crown land easily around French River using the Crown Land use Policy Atlas online. But If you go to Dry Rapids Road in Alban all the way down to Murdock River you'll find a great spot for Camping near French River. But if you like going off-grid like me then you can always launch a canoe or boat at any ramp and pick your spot (Just make sure it's crown land!).

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

I have never seen a Lodge on Moose Lake, two camps on an island. But there has never been a Lodge on Moose Lake.?? Must be another Moose Lake.

---

Yeah we must be thinking about different moose lakes. The one I'm talking about is near Pointe au Baril.

Moose Lake that I go to is just outside of Espanola taking Fox Lake Rd.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

Yeah we must be thinking about different moose lakes. The one I'm talking about is near Pointe au Baril.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Moose Lake that I go to is just outside of Espanola taking Fox Lake Rd.

---

Oh I've heard of that one, basically the whole entire lake is crown land luckily for you. Lots of Islands on that lake to camp on as well. Except maybe a small patch 100M North of Mckinnon creek, that's private.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AdamG1

Do you simply put a worm on a hook or do you use a weight? I like catching smallmouth on worms but I always add a small splitshot about 6" up from the hook for extra casting distance. I use 4lbs flourocarbon on an ultra light and even then without a weight I cannot cast very far at all. Just curious as to how you are rigging.

Sent from my Mi MIX 2 using Tapatalk

---

The current is very strong there, so a split shot weight would seem reasonable but I can guarantee you that it will get you snagged. I just use a size 2/0 gamakatsu octopus hook tied on some fluoro and nothing else. Even with that I still get lots of snags. That's for smallies. I use just a 6.5' rod, you don't need to cast far at all, 10-15 yards is more than enough. But for large muskies I bet a live sucker on a free-line hook would land you a monster on the first cast. I'm actually headed there tomorrow for my last go at fall blackbear, good luck!!