In the south basin of the lake, which features shallow water, it's fairly simple to cover the water column from top to bottom and be confident your lure is within striking distance of a muskie.

NORTHERN BASIN
Things become a bit more complicated on the northern portion of the lake, which features much greater depths. The lure types Marfin chooses for this area, models that dive deep, illustrate this.

"I work the deeper water with deep divers that I have confidence in more than a particular brand. During a one-week stint on Chautauqua early last September, I had the paint chewed off of a 606 Crane bait, which is another deep diver and a definite confidence lure.

"I fish from Predergrast Point north toward Mayville," Marfin continued. "I then cross the lake, and work my way back down the other side. I try to keep the boat in the 35-foot zone, but again, finding pods of bait is a key. The more baitfish schools you can find, the better.

"I try to keep one lure above the bait and another below it. Usually this calls for line lengths of anywhere from 40 to 100 feet with the deep divers I use. I eventually catch them, but it is called 'fishing' for a reason. You won't always catch a muskie, so don't get discouraged. Just keep trying."

The shoreline areas Marfin spoke of contain a wealth of muskie habitat. On the west side of the lake is Tom's Point, Whitney Bay, Prendergast Point, Bell Tower Point, Irwins Bay and Lighthouse Point.

Rimming the northern end of the lake is an extensive weed flat often called the Mayville Flats. Trolling back down the east shore will put you past Point Chautauqua, upper and lower Dewittville Bay, Whitesides Point, Sunset Bay, Big Bar, Long Point and Bemus Bay.

During a recent September trip, I took several muskies by trolling the open-water areas off the weed lines of the larger bays and points in the northern portion of the lake.

Effective trolling calls for long (8- foot or longer) medium- to medium-heavy trolling rods coupled with line counter reels. Solid rod holders are needed to secure rods while trolling typically large muskie plugs.

Casters will contact fish by working the tops and edges of the weedbeds with bucktails and minnow-imitating baits. Most if not all of the bays and points mentioned earlier contain good weed cover.

Other good casting targets are the lake's many boat docks. Many a hefty muskie has startled a bass angler skipping jigs under docks.

Good public boat access may be had at Bemus Point, Long Point State Park and Prendergast Point. Fishing maps may be obtained from Fishing Hotspots at (800) ALL-MAPS.

A wealth of information on Chautauqua Lake may be obtained from the www.tourchautauqua.com Web site.

RELEASE FISH CAREFULLY
Keep in mind that muskies are particularly vulnerable to succumbing from the stresses related to being caught, especially during the warm periods of late summer. Successful releases are dependent on minimizing the many stresses involved. The duration of the fight should be kept as short as possible. Avoid playing a fish to exhaustion. Proper muskie tackle is usually heavy enough to keep battle times to a minimum.

All muskie anglers should carry with them the tools to safely and efficiently remove the hooks from a muskie. This includes long-nosed pliers, mini bolt cutters, such as a Knipex, and jaw spreaders.

Large landing nets specifically designed for catch-and-release fishing serve as in-the-water livewells where the hooks may be removed or cut without taking the fish from the water.