Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, I know time flies and this weather is making me think its July not early May!!!  Tomorrow we may see the mid 80s and that looks to stick around until we see some T-Storms on Thursday.  The rain on Thursday will bring a cold front and temps look to be down in the 60s for next weekend.  Water temps have absolutely shot up there on the surface with this weather and I am hearing pretty consistent reports of mid 60s surface temps on most lakes.  Fishing has been hit or miss, although Largemouth bass and crappie are really good bites right now.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been tougher than it should be for this time of year, with most anglers not seeing great action.  Fish overall have seemed to be bigger, but the quantity of fish has not been there.  Jigs and minnows have been the most popular, however with water temps rising the leech bite should start to get good as well.  Anglers should look for fish anywhere from 10-15 FOW on rocky/sandy points, mid lake reefs with rocks and or sandy shorelines.

Pike–PIke have been hammering smaller baits such as Mepps #5 spinners and all manner of live bait presentations as well.  Look for pike along weedy shorelines or weed beds right now.  Pike should be relatively shallow as panfish are pushing shallow to spawn.

LMB–The largemouth bite has been probably the hottest bite of the spring so far.  Anglers are doing very well on plastic worms thrown up shallow.  My guess is the warm sunny weather has them ready for spawning early.  Anglers have done well on fathead minnows under floats for largemouth as well.  Look for bass anywhere from 2-6 FOW right now.  This week should continue that pattern as water temps continue to rise.

SMB–Smallies have been active for anglers targeting walleye.  They are holding to rocky areas that are adjacent to deeper water.  Jigs/plastics and jigs/minnows or leeches seem to be what smallies prefer right now. 

Crappie–The crappie bite has been great and that should continue this week as well.  Crappie are pushing up into shallow weed beds to spawn and have been aggressive lately.  Crappie minnows rigged under a float on a small jig or plain hook is all you need to catch them right now.  Look for fish anywhere from 5-10 FOW and drift through or set up on weed beds.

Perch–I have not heard a whole lot on a specific perch bite, but they too should be pushing into slightly shallower water to spawn.  You may find them mixed in with crappie right now in and around shallow weeds.  Use the same baits as you would for crappie to target perch.

Bluegill–Gills’ should also be pushing shallow and setting up beds to spawn.  Sandy shorelines should hold bluegill right now and anglers can find them hiding under docks or on the shallow side of weed beds.  Small leeches and or leaf worms and chunks of nightcrawlers are great bait choices for bluegill right now.

Have a great weekend everybody and we will talk soon!

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, looks like a wonderful week to start the open water season for 2025! The weather could not be better with temps mainly in the 70s with a dip on Wednesday down to 51 degrees.  Then back up into the low 70s to close out the week.  Right now I am seeing no rain in the forecast this week or next.  Water temps are right around the high 40s and low 50s on most lakes, but this week should warm up shallow lakes pretty significantly.  

Walleye–Anglers should most likely find ‘eyes off of rocky points, mid lake structure/reefs or sandy/rocky bottom transitions right now.  At daylight or dusk hours walleye should push up shallow chasing baitfish.  Fathead minnows rigged on jigheads is probably the most common way anglers will catch walleye right now.  Artificial baits, such as Rapala husky jerks, Livingston jerkamaster, and other minnow style baits can also work well right now.  Leeches may also work as far as livebait, but water temps may be a little cold for that bite right now.  

Northern Pike–Anglers should find pike in and around shallow bays or weed beds.  Spinnerbaits, smaller Mepps spinners and shallow running crankbaits are all great options to target early pike.  They will also eat many livebait offerings that are in close proximity to them no matter how big or small.  

LMB–Largemouth bass should also be in and around shallow weedy bays or weed beds.  Spinnerbaits worked a little bit deeper in the water column should catch fish as they won’t be on shallow beds yet.  Jigs and minnows or skirted jigs can work well too. 

SMB–Smallies will most likely be around the same rocky/sandy structure as walleye right now and can be caught on a lot of the same set-ups as you would fish for walleye.  Namely live bait, but they will hit crankbaits as well.  Deeper running crankbaits bounced off of rocks and stirring up bottom can be very effective to catch smallies right now.

Crappie–The crappie bite has been pretty good and anglers are finding them in anywhere from 7-15 FOW depending on the lake.  Some fish are out in the basins yet, while others are setting up on deep weed edges.  Fish are still in pre-spawn and are in predictable places of historic pre-spawn spots.  Jigs and minnows under a float, or jigs and plastics or baits such as Northland Mimic Minnows, or Berkley’s new Minnotators can be a great way to catch aggressive crappie.

Bluegill/Perch–Bluegill historically should be up a little tighter into new weed growth or slightly warmer water.  Anglers may have luck with leaf worms or waxies rigged on smaller hooks or jigs under a float.  Perch can be around those same areas, although they will most likely be favoring the deep edges of the weeds or just into the basins off of those weed lines.  Jigs and crappie minnows would be an excellent choice to target Perch right now.  

Good luck to all of the anglers getting out today and this weekend!! Have a great one and we will talk soon.

Greg