Fishing Report -- posted on Thursday, July 29 2010

Walleyes are not a very good bet during summertime heat so we were surprised this week by a report of some good early morning and late evening/night action on the fish. The report was instructive for summer walleye tactics, fish near cribs (or cover) adjacent to a drop-offs in medium depths. Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler provided the right combination. All that makes sense. Walleyes like cover, be it cribs or weeds. They like the cooler waters found in deeper parts of the lake. If you can find a spot that matches that, you may do some good. The cover will usually hold smaller baitfish so the walleyes do not have to move far. Food and shelter, fish like it as much as we do.

Crawlers on jigs seem to edge out leeches on jigs lately. Either one usually works well in the heat of July and into August so do not get too fixated on either one. The important thing to remember is that walleyes do feed in mid-summer. It is simply a matter of locating them.

Panfish continues to be good, but requires some hunting. Bluegills and crappies are active along deeper weed lines in 12-22 feet of water. On some lakes, a few fish were found suspended over deeper water, on others they were tight to the bottom. Start at a medium depth and move up or down until you locate the fish. A small jig or hook baited with a leafworm, small leech or waxworm has worked. A 1/32-ounce jig-and-plastic combo such as a TattleTail or Cubby Mini-Mite also produced. Vertical jigging is the best way to present these baits. Perch were found along weed lines in 16-22 feet of water, tight to the bottom. A 1/32-ounce jig baited with waxworm, leafworm or plastic will produced.

Northern pike continues to roam the shallows and deeper weed edges. Spinnerbaits tipped with a grub tail or Mr. Twister tail will produced some nice and furious action.

Musky action has been a mixed bag in the past two weeks. We have not heard of any great days when the big fish go wild, but they too, do feed, usually at night into early dawn hours. Surface lures really come to the forefront now. Some summer days of heavy overcast and south or westerly winds can be productive as well. The key thing with musky is to get out there and start tossing.

Bass remain in an active phase with smallies in deeper, cooler water feeding on minnows or crayfish. Imitate either and you should see some fish. Largemouth are in thick cover, venturing out to nab a passing minnow, frog or mouse. Fish them with weedless lures and some stout tackle, the better to manhandle them away from weeds or wood.

August is nearly here and that often brings things to a seasonal low, especially for musky. We would keep fishing though, but work into the early mornings and late evenings or wait for cloudy overcast days.